Rite Aid Secures Regulatory Clearance to Sell 1,932 Stores and Related Assets for $4.375 Billion to Walgreens Boots Alliance

Rite Aid Corporation announced that it has secured regulatory clearance for an amended and restated asset purchase agreement with Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. whereby WBA will purchase 1,932 stores, three distribution centers and related inventory from Rite Aid for an all-cash purchase price of $4.375 billion on a cash-free, debt-free basis. Rite Aid also has the option to purchase generic drugs that are sourced through an affiliate of WBA at a cost substantially equivalent to Walgreens for a period of 10 years. The Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period expired for the proposed transaction. Under the amended and restated agreement, Rite Aid will retain approximately 250 additional stores as compared to the prior agreement announced between Rite Aid and WBA in June 2017, resulting in a reduction in the transaction sale price. The decision to retain these stores follows discussions between Rite Aid and WBA, as well as the U.S. Federal Trade Commission ("FTC"). Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Corrugated Boxes and Food Safety: A Farm to Box to Table Initiative

According to Paper + Packaging Board in their Farm to Box to Table initiative, corrugated has numerous benefits when it comes to transporting food from farm to store, including: •Corrugated Helps us be Efficient: Corrugated is sustainable, recyclable, renewable and efficient – helping save space. •Corrugated Keeps our Food Fresh: Growers choose corrugated because it’s renewable and helps food stay fresher, cleaner and better protected. •Corrugated Is Preferred for Food Transportation: Nearly half of all corrugated boxes made in the U.S. each year are used to transport food from farm to store. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Suzano Price Increase – US Market

Please be advised with orders shipping on October 9, 2017 Suzano Pulp and Paper will raise prices by 4-6% on the following products: Suzano® Branded and Private Label Office Papers; Prisma Bright® Offset Rolls. All standard up-charges and terms of sale remain in effect until further notice.
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BillerudKorsnäs unit in Karlsborg now back to full production

During the night between September 5th and 6th, there was a fire in one of the buildings at BillerudKorsnäs’ production unit in Karlsborg. The production was stopped as a consequence of the fire but is now back to full speed after a successful work to make the unit ready for production. BillerudKorsnäs estimates that the impact from the fire on Q3 results will be approximately SEK 35 million. "Our teams and suppliers have made good efforts to overcome the consequences of the fire and we are glad that we can inform our customers of this quick start-up", says Per Lindberg, President and CEO of BillerudKorsnäs. The production unit in Karlsborg manufactures sack and kraft paper as well as market pulp for the Packaging Paper business area and has a production capacity of approximately 300,000 tonnes per year.
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Oil Trades Near $50 a Barrel After Decline in U.S. Drilling

“The U.S. oil rig count, a key indicator for trader sentiment, exhibited a rather large weekly decline,” said analysts at consultants JBC Energy GmbH in Vienna. “At least in the short term, this dynamic should help protect the downside to crude prices. The more pressing question may be how much higher prices can climb before the gravitational forces of global supply and demand can start to form an upper limit.” West Texas Intermediate for October delivery rose as much as 44 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $50.33 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, and traded for $49.91 at 10:43 a.m. London time. On Sept. 14, it reached $50.50, the highest since May 25. Total volume traded was about 26 percent below the 100-day average. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Canadian Forest Sector Applauds CCFM Forest Bioeconomy Framework

The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) fully supports the Forest Bioeconomy Framework launched today by Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr and the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM). “The Forest Bioeconomy Framework builds on our sector’s world-leading sustainability practices and our focus on finding environmental and economic value for every part of the tree. It will help position Canada’s forest sector as a solutions provider in our move to a lower-carbon economy,” said FPAC CEO Derek Nighbor. “This framework is a significant move forward to position forestry as a key player in the bioeconomy, will support the creation of new jobs and help us meet Canada’s climate change commitments,” Nighbor added. The Forest Bioeconomy Framework establishes a path that will result in a forest bioeconomy that identifies sustainable bio-based materials from healthy forests available for high added-value manufacturing. The framework highlights innovation, collaboration, and investment and opens the door to further enhancing the sustainability of the forest sector through research, innovation and strong public policy. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Holmen’s interim report January-June 2017

Operating profit for January–June 2017 was SEK 1 152 million (January–June 2016: SEK 1 063 million, excluding items affecting comparability). The improvement in earnings was due to higher wood product prices, better earnings from forests and the divestiture of the newsprint mill in Madrid. Compared with the first quarter, operating profit decreased by SEK 102 million to SEK 525 million as a result of a maintenance shutdown within paperboard and seasonally lower hydro power production. Profit after tax for January–June amounted to SEK 880 million (587), which corresponds to earnings per share of SEK 10.5 (7.0). Return on capital employed increased to 9.4 (8.4) per cent. Production of paperboard, paper and wood products has been established at a higher level than previous years and the sales mix has developed well. Cash flow was strong and largely covered the SEK 1 billion dividend that was paid in April.
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Hallsta paper mill nominated for sustainability award

On November 29, the Pulp & Paper International Awards is held in Brussels. Hallsta paper mill is one of the finalists in the category “Environmental Leadership Award”, a prize awarded to a mill which has full focus on the environmental work and has shown ground-breaking sustainability efforts. We work hard with sustainability issues and we are today one of the most resource-efficient mills in our segment in Europe. Over the last three years we have invested over 20 MEUR in energy saving activities and projects. One hundred percent of the wood raw material is utilized, ninety-five percent of the fibres are used in the end product, the bark previously used as fuel at the mill is now sold for fossil-free energy production and the sludge from the effluent treatment plant is composted and sold as soil. Nothing is wasted, says mill manager Johan Abrahamsson. The investments have made it possible to run the mill without any CO2 emissions from the production process. The energy used is partly recovered as heat in the drying process. Another big advantage is the fact that all of the wood used in the process comes from sustainably managed forests and all the products are certified with the EU Ecolabel. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Study: Consumers growing uneasy about increasing access to personal data

Despite the ramping up of global data regulations, most consumers are concerned about how companies collect and use their information. In fact, an overwhelming 96% of consumers are "somewhat" to "extremely" concerned about data collection and usage. This is understandable, as more than 75% engage in digital payment transactions at least once a month. This was according to “Consumer Data Privacy: Strategic Opportunities to Address Emerging Consumer Needs,” a report from A.T. Kearney. The level and intensity of consumer digital commerce engagement will continue to increase, the report revealed. And for those transacting online, consumers are increasingly using cards-on-file, both at individual retailers and third-party payment providers (e.g., PayPal, Visa Checkout) to conduct digital purchases. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Arandell Job Fair

Looking for a job with great benefits and upward mobility? Arandell will be hosting a job fair on-site Wednesday (9/20) from 1:00pm to until 6:00pm. We are looking for highly motivated individuals to join our team in several skilled and entry level positions. On-site interviews and offers that day! Open positions: Entry Level Bindery Workers (2nd and 3rd shifts) Experienced Bindery Machine Operators (2nd and 3rd shifts) Web Joggers (2nd shift) Electricians (2nd and 3rd shifts) Industrial Maintenance Mechanic (3rd shift) Premedia Artist (3rd shift) Customer Service Representative (1st shift) To expedite the process apply online at www.arandell.com/careers before attending the job fair or complete an application upon arrival. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Tetra Pak launches pioneering ice cream extrusion line for medium-sized producers

In an industry first, the new line uses an independently controlled horizontal cutter to slice the ice cream as it emerges from the extruder. This patented technology means the cutting speed stays consistently fast, irrespective of the line speed, ensuring a precise, clean cut even at low rates of production. By programming the cutter to operate at different speeds and movements, ice cream producers can also switch between multiple products on the same line, be they sticks, sandwiches, cones, wafer cups, candy bars or cakes, while maintaining the highest possible quality. With a capacity range of 5,000 to 18,000 products per hour, the line offers much-needed volume flexibility to medium-sized producers, allowing them to increase or decrease output without compromising efficiency. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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WestRock to Build New Corrugated Packaging Plant in Brazil

“WestRock’s corrugated packaging business in Brazil continues to perform well, with strong relationships with customers in attractive growth markets,” said Steve Voorhees, chief executive officer, WestRock. “Our new corrugated packaging plant will enable our exceptional team in Brazil to serve these customers even better in the future, with a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that will provide new capabilites and efficiences for our customers, and to further integrate the containerboard that we manufacture in Brazil.” The new facility will be located in Porto Feliz and will serve all industry segments and markets both in the highly developed Sao Paulo region, as well other growing areas in Brazil’s southeast region. Construction is expected to begin later this year and be completed in mid-2019.
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Print 17 Reflects Strength of Graphic Communications Industry with Innovation, Education and Relationships

PRINT 17’s return to Chicago was a resounding success as 20,000 people from the graphic communications industry gathered at McCormick Place for five days of education, networking and an up-close look at the latest innovations and technologies. Industry professionals from around the world came to see new products from more than 450 exhibitors. PRINT 17 highlights included the new “Distinguished Leader” speaker series, with top marketing experts sharing their unique perspectives on how technology is changing our world and exploring the integration of print and digital. In addition, more than 50 seminars and panels throughout the show demonstrated NPES’ commitment to developing a relevant learning experience based on the pressing topics that can lead to business success for PRINT 17 attendees. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, The Indonesian Trade Promotion Center and Asia Pulp & Paper showcase innovative food packaging and paperboard products at Espacio Food & Service 2017

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia supported by the Chilean Office of Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC), announced it has partnered with Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) to recently exhibit APP’s innovative food packaging and premium packaging boards at Espacio Food & Service 2017. The ITPC is a non-profit government organization under the Directorate General for National Export Development of Indonesia and the Espacio Food & Service event is known as one of the most influential food industry get-togethers in Chile and throughout Latin America. “This show was a great opportunity for us to demonstrate that Indonesian companies such as APP can take its rightful place on the world stage, delivering true innovation and industry market demand solutions,” said Ambassador Philemon Arobaya, Indonesian Ambassador to Chile. “Indonesia has so much to offer the world, and we are proud to bring just a small piece of it to Latin America.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Six companies buy oil from U.S. emergency crude reserve

Six companies bought 14 million barrels of oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve in a sale required by law to help fund medical research and the federal government, said the Department of Energy on Thursday. BP Oil Supply, Exxon Mobil Corp, Phillips 66, Shell Trading, Valero Marketing and Supply Company, and Macquarie Commodities Trading bought oil from the reserve, which is held in salt caverns on the Texas and Louisiana coasts. The companies bought the oil at a range from $46.98 to $47.91 a barrel, slightly below the current futures price of about $49.70 per barrel, depending on which location the crude came from and whether it was sent by pipeline or directly to vessels, which could export the petroleum.
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BCI Buckeye Division achieves SFI certification

BCI Buckeye Division achieves SFI certification. SFI 2015-2019 Chain-of-Custody Standard is an accounting system that tracks forest fiber content (certified forest content, certified sourcing & recycled content) through production and manufacturing to the end product. Contact BCI Buckeye Division or your BCI Buckeye Division Representative for additional information.
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A South Dakota decision moves the online sales tax issue closer to the US Supreme Court

South Dakota’s Supreme Court affirms a lower court ruling against a state law designed to challenge the prevailing law that allows many online retailers to avoid collecting sales tax. Since the birth of e-commerce, online retailers have been shielded from the requirement to collect sales tax from consumers who live in those states where the retailer does not have a physical presence, such as an office, store or warehouse. The U.S. Supreme Court likely will soon have the chance to change that. The question of whether out-of-state online retailers can be required to collect sales tax moved a big step closer to the nation’s highest court today when the South Dakota Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s decision barring enforcement of a 2016 state law that requires larger e-retailers to collect sales tax from South Dakota residents and remit them to the state. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Kimberly-Clark to Power North American Mills with Renewable Wind Energy

Kimberly-Clark Corporation announced its first major commitment to renewable energy with agreements to annually purchase approximately 1,000,000 megawatt hours (245 megawatts - MW) of electricity from two new wind power projects in Texas and Oklahoma. The renewable energy supplied by the wind farms is equivalent to about one-third of the electricity needs of Kimberly-Clark's North American manufacturing operations and will enable the company to surpass its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal four years earlier than anticipated. Kimberly-Clark has entered long-term power purchase agreements to take 120 MW or 78 percent of electricity to be generated by the Rock Falls Wind project being developed by EDF Renewables in northern Oklahoma and 125 MW or 42 percent of the electricity to be generated by the Santa Rita Wind Energy Center being built by Invenergy in West Texas. The renewable energy supplied by the two wind farms will enable Kimberly-Clark to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by up to 550,000 metric tons annually. This is equivalent to removing 116,178 passenger vehicles from the road or not burning nearly 600 million pounds of coal annually.1 Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Kruger: No. 8 paper machine started up

Announced jointly by Kruger Products and the Government of Québec in July 2016, the $55-million investment to purchase and install PM8 received a $39.5-million loan from Investissement Québec, which is acting as an agent of the Government of Québec in this project. Kruger Products also received support from the Joliette RCM and the Municipality of Crabtree – through the Fonds de développement des territoires – Fonds d’aide aux entreprises volet 2 (Territories Development Fund – Business Assistance Fund, stream 2) – to complete this investment. The Company also took the opportunity to reveal its recent acquisition of a new $12-million winder. This new, more efficient machine manufactures paper products for the away-from-home market and will enable the Crabtree Plant to boost its annual production by 29%. The Crabtree Plant now has plenty of room to grow over the coming years. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Sappi Europe forced to increase prices on WFU and WFC grades by 5-8% in October

Due to an unexpected further sharp rise in raw material prices, Sappi Europe is forced to continue passing on this cost inflation by increasing its WFU and WFC Sheets and Reels grade prices from October 2017 onwards by 5-8%. Despite strong order books and good operating rates, margins continue to be depressed by this severe input cost inflation. Sappi’s sales representatives will be in touch with their customers to agree on the specifics over the next weeks.
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Smurfit Kappa announced delivery of its 150th automatic web filling line for the liquid and semi-liquid industry

Used for filling Bag-in-Box® and Pouch-Up® products, the machine was produced by the BIB Equipment division of Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box. Smurfit Kappa’s automatic web filling machines offer high productivity and efficiency thanks to a number of innovative technologies including: • The revolutionary filling valve with separate vacuum and nitrogen circuits which decrease the oxygen pickup during filling • The “soft drop” of the bag reducing the number of leakers • The raised buffer tank which enables a better flow and more accurate filling. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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UPS First Commercial Customer In U.S. To Use New Daimler Electric Delivery Truck

UPS announced it will place in service three medium-duty electric trucks from Daimler Trucks Fuso brand, called the eCanter. The company will be the first commercial customer in the U.S. to use this series-produced vehicle. UPS will deploy the trucks in the U.S. at locations to be determined. The new EV trucks build on UPS’s Rolling Laboratory fleet of more than 8,500 alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. “At UPS, we constantly evaluate and deploy advanced technologies that enable sustainable, innovative solutions for our fleet,” said Carlton Rose, president, global fleet maintenance & engineering, UPS. “Electric trucks make our fleet both cleaner and quieter. We have a long-standing global relationship with Daimler, and we welcome the opportunity to trial the Fuso eCanter as UPS continues to realize the benefits of electric trucks.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Flambeau River Papers Announces Price Increase

Effective with shipments on or after October 12, 2017, Flambeau River Papers will increase the transaction price by 5% for the following grades of paper as follows: FRP Offset Papers; FRP Glacier and Torchglow Opaque Papers; FRP Reply Card Papers; FRP Laser Bond Papers; FRP Converting Papers. All current standard upcharges and differentials remain in effect.
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West Linn Paper Announces Price Increase for Uncoated Papers

Effective with shipments of October 12, 2017 or latter West Linn Paper Company will increase the price on its uncoated offset by $2.00/cwt. This pricing change includes the following grades: West Linn Paper Uncoated Offset Smooth & White Wove Envelope. This price increase applies to all basis weights and finished plus all related private label grades and associated brand extensions.
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Amazon Expands with New Fulfillment Center in Michigan, Creating 1,000 New Full-Time Jobs

Amazon.com, Inc. announced plans to open a new fulfillment center in the Charter Township of Shelby, Mich. When the site opens in 2018, Amazon will create 1,000 new full-time jobs with benefits. “Michigan has been a great place to do business for Amazon and we look forward to adding a new fulfillment center to better serve our customers in the region,” said Sanjay Shah, Amazon’s vice president of North American operations. “The state has been a source of exceptional talent for Amazon, and we’re proud to be creating great jobs with benefits for Michiganders.” At the new 1-million-square-foot fulfillment center in the Charter Township of Shelby, employees will pick, pack and ship large items like household decor, sporting equipment and gardening tools. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Oil Trades Near Five-Week High as Stronger Demand Pares Surplus

Futures were steady in New York after rising 3.8 percent in the previous three sessions. Global demand will climb this year by the most since 2015, the IEA said Wednesday. OPEC on Tuesday raised estimates for the amount of crude it will need to supply in 2018 on stronger consumption from Europe and China. U.S. oil output gained last week as operations returned after Hurricane Harvey. The IEA report “was taken as confirmation of the prevalent supply-tightening narrative, that that oil surplus is slowly disappearing,” said Norbert Ruecker, head of commodity research at Julius Baer Group Ltd. Still, crude is “trading at the upper end of a fundamentally justified price range” and the “upcoming seasonal demand soft patch is set to create near-term headwinds.” Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Evergreen Packaging® Debuts Renewable Plus Cartons

Evergreen Packaging , a global leader in the manufacturing of refrigerated paper cartons, debuted a Fully Renewable Carton, part of their Renewable Plus Carton line featuring sugarcane-based polyethylene. Part of the Evergreen Packaging family of FreshHouse™ Cartons, the new Renewable Plus Cartons underscore the company’s commitment to developing sustainable packaging solutions from renewable materials. “Our new Renewable Plus Carton reflects our promise to continually innovate and create unique renewable packaging solutions that serve both customers and consumers,” said DeWitt Clark, Vice President of North American Packaging at Evergreen Packaging. “Customers can offer fully renewable carton options which leverage our industry-leading expertise in barrier extrusion technology. Consumers can feel good about purchasing products knowing that they’re purchasing packaging made from renewable materials.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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GP Invests $100 Million In New Talladega Lumber Facility, Adds 100 Jobs

Georgia-Pacific announced today a new lumber production facility in Talladega, Alabama. Construction on the $100 million, 300,000-square-foot, technologically advanced plant is scheduled to begin immediately with an anticipated startup in late 2018. Once it is fully operational, the plant will employ more than 100 full-time employees and generate an estimated $5 million in annual payroll. “The availability of talent and natural resources makes Talladega an ideal site for this new lumber production facility,” said Fritz Mason, vice president and general manager, Georgia-Pacific Lumber. “The City of Talladega, Talladega County, and the State of Alabama have been incredibly supportive of this new venture and we look forward to a long and beneficial relationship.” “Georgia-Pacific’s new investment in Talladega will bring good jobs and enhanced opportunities to the area’s citizens while also benefiting timber owners in the region,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “I am committed to working closely with businesses like Georgia-Pacific, which has a significant presence in the state, as we demonstrate to the world that Alabama is open for business and eager to form strong partnerships.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Clarifications concerning Norske Skogindustrier ASA and its subsidiaries

Some media reports have presented at somewhat inaccurate description of the actual situation of the Norske Skog group. Norske Skogindustrier ASA is still a listed company with a separate board elected by the shareholders at the extraordinary general meeting of Norske Skog on 24 August this year. The board of Norske Skogindustrier ASA consists of: Christen Sveaas (Chair), Eilif Due, Jon-Aksel Torgersen, Ragnhild Wiborg and Annette Malm Justad as members elected by shareholders. Employee-elected board members are Cecilie Jonassen, Paul Kristiansen and Svein Erik Veie. Norske Skogindustrier ASA is the parent company of a group with a complex corporate structure that comprises several subsidiaries, as shown in the attached overview of the company structure. In Norske Skog AS, which is a subsidiary of the Norske Skogindustrier ASA group, a new board was elected yesterday. Newly elected board members of Norske Skog AS are Sven Ombudstvedt (Chair) and Nils Ingemund Hoff. In addition, Rune Sollie (CFO of Norske Skogindustrier ASA) will remain as board member. Holders of the EUR 290 million bond maturing in 2019 (SSN) have, according to the bond terms, the right to elect a new board of Norske Skog AS, as this bond is in default and has been accelerated and declared payable immediately in its entirety. The EUR 290 million bond has security against inter alia the shares of Norske Skog AS. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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UPM Raflatac expands offering with new innovations for medical device and healthcare labeling

UPM Raflatac has further expanded its range of guaranteed, globally available, and compliant pharmaceutical and healthcare label materials for the medical device and healthcare industries. Today there are over 500,000 types of medical and in vitro diagnostic medical devices available in the EU, with a medical device meaning anything from a contact lens or sticking plaster to an x-ray machine or hip replacement component. In vitro diagnostic medical devices include things like HIV blood tests, pregnancy tests, and blood sugar monitoring systems for diabetics. The new RPMD (Raflatac Permanent Medical Device) adhesive range includes labeling solutions for drug/device combination products like insulin pens, auto-injectors, and inhalers, as well as blood donation labeling, sterilization pouches for medical devices, and infusion bags and bottles. Combining selected paper and film face materials with an RPMD adhesive ensures excellent adhesion with a tight mandrel hold on glass and plastic, as well as sterilization resistance and migration safety - both common requirements in medical device and healthcare labeling. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Alma cut-size Announcement

Effective with shipments on or after October 12, 2017, CellMark is increasing the prices on our virgin and recycled cut-size products as well as our white and colored file folder grades by $2.00/cwt. This includes - AlmaPlus; AlmaOffice; AlmaEco; File Folder. If you have any questions regarding these changes, please call your sales representative.
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Glatfelter Announces Price Increase for US Market

Glatfelter is announcing a 4-6% price increase for the listed grades and product lines sold in our United States market. The increase will be effective with shipments on or after October 16, 2017. Uncoated converting papers: All Envelope grades; Transform®Laser MOCR; Logan® Reply Card. Printing & Imaging papers: All Cut Size Papers (Mill/Private Label); Spring Forge® Offset; Thor® Plus & Thor® PCW; Spring Forge® Digital; Hopewell Offset. Engineered Products: Pixelle® Basic; Repro Bond. All current standard differentials and upcharges remain in effect.
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Finch Paper Announces Price Increase

Effective with shipments on or after October 11, 2017, pricing will increase approximately 6% on the following grades: Finch Commercial Printing Papers: Finch 94 Rolls; Finch Offset Rolls & Finch Converting Papers: Finch Reply Postcard, 7 pt. and 9 pt. Rolls; Finch ThruPut Wove Rolls; Finch Forms Bond; Finch MOCR Laser; Finch Engineering Bond; Finch CAD Inkjet Bond & Finch Office Papers: Finch Premium Multipurpose; Finch Multipurpose; Finch Copy; All private-label brands; General White Box. All standard upcharges apply and all customer-specific inventory programs will increase with shipments on or after October 11, 2017.
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Finch Paper Announces Price Increase on New Leaf Products

Effective with shipments on or after October 11, 2017, pricing will increase approximately 4-6% on the following grades: New Leaf Ingenuity 100% PCW Sheets and Rolls (96 bright Text & Cover); New Leaf Harmony 100% PCW Sheets and Rolls (93 bright Opaque-Offset). All standard upcharges apply and all customer-specific inventory programs will increase with shipments on or after October 11, 2017.
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Bertelsmann not considering listing Penguin Random House – paper

Unlisted German publishing giant Bertelsmann is not considering any further large takeovers worth “billions” and has no plans to list its Penguin Random House (PRH) division, Chief Financial Officer Bernd Hirsch told newspaper Boersen-Zeitung. Bertelsmann raised its stake in PRH to 75 percent in July, giving it the option of listing the business after it purchased a PRH stake from rival Pearson . Asked whether Bertelsmann was seeking full control of PRH, Hirsch said: “We have reached our goal of gaining 75 percent control.” Buying the outstanding 25 percent stake, which is still owned by Pearson, would depend on whether Pearson approached Bertelsmann over the matter, Hirsch said. Asked whether Bertelsmann would consider listing PRH, Hirsch said: “We have the IPO option. But this is not a scenario which we are thinking about.” The progress already being made to transform Bertelsmann into a digital publishing company has reduced the need to raise funds via the stock market to finance further strategic change. “If you think in a five-year timespan, the financing need is no longer of a magnitude where large projects need to be financed via an initial public offering,” Hirsch told the paper. Bertelsmann is also not considering a sale of its Printing Group, Hirsch added.
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Sycamore Partners Completes Acquisition Of Staples, Inc.

Sycamore Partners today announced that it has completed its acquisition of Staples, Inc. (the "Company"). "We are pleased to have completed this transaction and look forward to partnering with CEO Shira Goodman and the Staples management team as we seek to increase long-term profitability," said Stefan Kaluzny, Managing Director of Sycamore Partners. "With the support of its dedicated associates, Staples is well-positioned to leverage its iconic brand and leading competitive position to drive even greater value for its business-to-business and retail customers in the U.S. and Canada." Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Negotiations at Stora Enso’s Kvarnsveden paper mill concluded

Stora Enso announced in February plans to permanently close down one paper machine 8 (PM8) and related reorganisation at the Kvarnsveden Mill in Sweden that could affect a maximum of 140 people at the mill. PM8 was permanently shut down in June, and the negotiations between central parties have now been concluded. The impact of the reorganisation and PM8 closure was mitigated through individual solutions, such as early retirement. Altogether the number of people affected will be 122. Stora Enso is convinced that through the measures taken, it is possible to improve the competitiveness of the Kvarnsveden Mill going forward. Production at Kvarnsveden Mill will continue on two lines, PM10 for improved newsprint paper and PM12 for SC papers.
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Lecta Presents Its New HM300 Adhesive for High-Speed Air-Blow Labelling

​Lecta brings out a new Adestor hot-melt adhesive for packaging applications.​​​ Adestor HM300 is a permanent hot-melt adhesive with a very high tack especially formulated for high-speed air-blow labelling. It performs well at low temperatures and can be used at room temperature of -5ºC. Its immediate strong adhesion makes it ideal for rough and curved surfaces. The new HM300 adhesive is available in a range of different paper and film face stock. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Method and Amcor combine to introduce a new package with a significantly enhanced sustainability profile

Method and global packaging leader Amcor have combined to introduce a new package with a significantly enhanced sustainability profile for Method’s dishwasher-cleaning product. The product, Power Dish, is now delivered to consumers in a reclosable polyethylene (PE) stand-up pouch – developed and produced by Amcor – with a carbon footprint that is up to two-thirds smaller than the package it replaced. The attractive, functional packaging contains 20 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) resin, and is itself more easily recycled. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Oil Climbs as IEA Sees Fastest Demand Growth in Two Years

Futures gained 1 percent in New York after rising 1.6 percent the previous two sessions. The IEA boosted its forecast on stronger-than-expected consumption in Europe and the U.S., and said that inventories of refined products are subsiding to their five-year average. A six-month extension to supply curbs from the end of March is one of the options being considered by OPEC and its allies, according to a person familiar with the matter. Oil in New York has averaged about $49 a barrel this year as efforts to drain a global glut by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and partners including Russia are stifled by rising shale output. U.S. crude inventories expanded by 6.18 million barrels last week, according to industry data, as oil processors gradually restarted following Harvey. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Catalyst Applauds Government’s Decision to Eliminate Provincial Sales Tax on Electricity

Catalyst applauds the government’s commitment to eliminate the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) on electricity for commercial and industrial users in its 2017 budget update, which will assist in protecting jobs in British Columbia’s pulp and paper sector, says Len Posyniak, Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Corporate Services. Effective this fall, the PST on electricity for commercial and industrial users will be reduced from 7% to 3.5%. On April 1, 2019, electricity for commercial and industrial users will be fully exempt from the PST. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Gap Inc. Kicks Off Holiday Season Hiring

Gap Inc. announced plans to hire seasonal associates for its Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta and Old Navy stores, as well as call centers and distribution centers for the 2017 holiday season. The company will host a single day hiring event in all Gap, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic, Banana Republic Factory and Old Navy stores across the United States and Canada from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (local time) on Saturday, September 23, 2017. Job candidates are encouraged to apply for a position prior to the holiday hiring event through Gap Inc.'s online seasonal hiring career page. Additionally, Athleta will be recruiting for the holiday season through the career page. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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HP inks single largest graphics customer deal to date with Lightning Source LLC

News highlights: •Lightning Source names HP PageWide preferred inkjet press provider through 2024 with order of 24 new HP PageWide T240 HD color & mono digital presses, with services and supplies •Multi-million dollar deal over seven years is the largest ever for HP’s Graphics Business •HP PageWide will serve Lightning Source’s publishers’ demands for a faster, higher-quality, and more efficient printing solution. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Verso Corporation Announces Price Increase

Effective with all new and existing orders with confirmed delivery dates of October 1, 2017 or later, Verso Corporation is increasing the transaction price of all Uncoated Freesheet Grades by as much as 6%. This includes, but, is not limited to: Ideal® Offset; Ideal® Reply Card. The increase applies to all basis weights, bulks, finishes and related private label grades. Should you have any questions, please contact your Midland Paper sales professional.
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Domtar Price Increase Announcement

Effective with shipments October 6, 2017, the price for the following products will increase 4-6%: • Husky® and EarthChoice® Opaque Offset Rolls • Domtar® Reply Card Rolls • Domtar® branded and Private Label Office Papers • Converting Papers. All current standard differentials and upcharges remain in effect.
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International Paper Price Increase Announcement

Effective with shipments October 11, 2017, International Paper will increase prices by $2/cwt on the following products: * Williamsburg: Offset Rolls & Return Postcard Rolls; * Postmark® White Wove Envelope; * DataSpeed® Laser MOCR; * Office Papers: All Private Label + Generic White Box + Relay. This increase applies to virgin, recycled and treated products. All standard upcharges will continue to apply.
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Norske Skog plans to launch a new recapitalization proposal

Norske Skog's newly elected board of directors is progressing the recapitalization process and will continue to work to develop a sustainable, industrially based recapitalization proposal to the stakeholders of the group. This recapitalization proposal will be based on the current operating performance and outlook for the Norske Skog group, and will seek to provide a robust industrial and financial platform for the future development of the group. The board's current intention is to make public the industrially based recapitalization proposal on Monday 18 September (at 13.00 CET), after which date the group's financial creditors will be expected to have a 10 business day period until 2 October at 17.00 CET to accept or reject the board's proposal. The recapitalization proposal will be based on the recently announced 2017 gross operating earnings estimate of around NOK 700 million. The recapitalization proposal will reduce the group's debt position and interest payments to a level which leaves Norske Skog as an industrial company with a realistic and long term sustainable capital structure to enable future development of the group in a rather challenging international business environment. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Sun Chemical Working to Assess the Market Impact of Devastation Caused by Hurricane Harvey

Due to the unprecedented impact and devastation in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, several of Sun Chemical’s feedstock suppliers have announced a force majeure and many other raw materials suppliers are reviewing allocations. While the volatility of the supplier markets is unknown at this point, the inks and pigments markets will be affected. Sun Chemical is committed to working closely with its suppliers to assess global ramifications, develop needed contingency plans, and to notify customers of potential delays or issues. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Neenah launches DISPERSA (TM) Dissolvable Paper

Neenah announces the release of DISPERSA (TM) Dissolvable Paper, a water-soluble paper that dissolves completely and rapidly in water. DISPERSA (TM) Dissolvable Paper addresses key market needs dictated by an increased focus on environmental awareness, industrial and consumer safety, and convenience. It is 100% dispersible in water in seconds or minutes, depending on conditions, and suitable for flexographic, laser, and inkjet printing technologies. The paper has unique dry strength properties that allows it to withstand the converting processes, but still dissolves when exposed to water. Applications include food rotation labels for reusable food containers in commercial kitchens and heat sealable pouches for safer handling of hazardous substances. DISPERSA (TM) Dissolvable Paper will be manufactured in the USA.
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Appleton Coated Launches Ethos® Offset and Lightweight Opaque Swatchbook

“We have been making offset since 2010 and lightweight opaques since 2013,” explains Jim Bird, Appleton Coated’s uncoated product manager, “and our uncoated products have an excellent reputation with our customers.” Bird continues, “The Swatchbook is a tool that showcases the grades and is an extension of the brand’s continued growth in the market.” “The Offset section of the book features a comparison of 100% Post-Consumer Recovered Fiber (PCRF) Offset, 30% PCRF Offset, and Virgin Fiber Offset to showcase the printed and unprinted excellence of these three offerings.” Bird continues, “Customers are remarking that our sustainable options are virtually indistinguishable from their virgin counterparts. A notable benefit of the book is that every grade and basis weight shown in the book features printed and unprinted examples.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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The Board of BillerudKorsnäs has decided on repurchase of shares

The Board of BillerudKorsnäs has decided to exercise the authorization granted to it by the Annual General Meeting on 10 May 2017, regarding repurchase of own shares. At the time of this press release, BillerudKorsnäs has 948,476 own shares in treasury. Repurchases may take place on one or more occasions during the period from 12 September 2017 until the next Annual General Meeting, up to a maximum amount of 314,690 shares. Repurchases shall be made on Nasdaq Stockholm at a price per share that is within the registered interval at any given time, i.e. the interval between the highest buying price and lowest selling price. Payment for the shares shall be made in cash. The purpose of the repurchase is to secure future delivery of shares to the participants in BillerudKorsnäs’ long term share based incentive programmes.
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Oil Steadies Near $48 as U.S. Refiners Return After Storms

Futures slipped 0.5 percent in New York after rising 1.2 percent Monday. U.S. refiners closed by Hurricane Harvey more than two weeks ago continue to restart, including the nation’s largest, operated by Motiva Enterprises LLC. The 12 OPEC nations engaged in production cuts reduced their output by 109,000 barrels a day last month, according to a person familiar with the matter. The hurricanes have rattled energy markets, with Irma shutting Florida fuel stations and ports and Harvey earlier halting about one-quarter of the nation’s refining capacity. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. forecasts the two storms will initially hurt crude demand by about 600,000 barrels a day, though the recovery will likely raise consumption and offset that loss. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Boise Paper Supports the American Red Cross

As a member of the Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP), Boise Paper is a corporate leader who makes a difference by pre-investing in the vital work of the American Red Cross. Through a unique partnership, Boise Paper donates a majority of the office paper the Red Cross uses annually, helping reduce a large administrative expense and allowing the Red Cross to invest more funds in critical humanitarian needs. Donations from ADGP members, like Boise Paper, enabled the Red Cross to be among the first responders on the ground, preparing for the large response effort as Hurricane Harvey bore down on Texas and Louisiana. Contributions from ADGP members power the ability of the Red Cross to provide compassionate care to those in need – from providing relief and support to those in crisis, to helping people be prepared to respond in emergencies. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Cascades inaugurates the expansion of its Drummondville packaging plant

Cascades Inc., leader in the recovery and manufacturing of green packaging and tissue products, invites the media representatives to a press conference during which the Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation, Dominique Anglade , the Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec region, Laurent Lessard , President and CEO of Cascades, Mario Plourde , President and Chief Operating Officer of Cascades Containerboard Packaging, Charles Malo , and Drummondville Mayor Alexandre Cusson , will inaugurate the expansion of the Drummondville corrugated packaging plant, an investment of $ 26.4 million. Dignitaries, customers, suppliers and employees will join them for this expected event.
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HP Creates Powerful Digital Print Possibilities with New Benchmarks for Quality, Productivity and Color

Today at PRINT 17, HP Inc. announced the HP Indigo 12000 HD Digital Press with breakthrough high definition imaging, and new print performance technology for HP PageWide Web Presses, setting new industry benchmarks for quality, productivity and color. These solutions are yet another step by HP in leading the acceleration of the analog-to-digital graphics printing transformation. The High Definition Imaging System for the B2-sized HP Indigo 12000 HD Digital Press doubles image resolution to 1625 dpi, delivering sharper, smoother, finer print. With this high addressability print resolution, print service providers (PSPs) can surpass offset quality and open new digital possibilities in high-end commercial and photo applications. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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NEENAH Packaging to Feature Custom Solutions at Packaging Innovations in London

NEENAH Packaging will showcase its premium packaging products and custom capabilities at this year’s Packaging Innovations & Luxury Packaging show (F75) at Olympia, London, September 13-14, 2017. Making its name by partnering with industry leading brands to successfully build brand equity and help drive financial results, NEENAH Packaging will showcase its market-changing and custom solutions at this show. Market-changing packaging to be featured at Packaging Innovations: Tech giant Amazon has changed the game when it comes to the world of gift cards. Neenah has helped Amazon to elevate the gift card experience for both the buyer and gift recipient through creative packaging solutions and was instrumental in providing Amazon with a strategic assessment for its gift tag products and meeting the company’s ROI objectives. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Join the World’s Largest Forest Certification System

Demonstrate your commitment and activate your support to forests and PEFC by becoming an International Stakeholder member. Want to know more? Then check out our new brochure! Companies, organizations and associations with principles and objectives supportive to PEFC’s are encouraged to join. International Stakeholder membership is open to entities with a legal operating presence in two or more countries, legally registered as an international organization, and/or demonstrate international scope and representation. Entities operating only at domestic level are encouraged to join the PEFC national member in their country. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Expera Specialty Solutions Announces Flame-Gard Technology

Expera Specialty Solutions has announced its newly branded Flame-Gard™ Technology. Expera provides flame-resistant solutions for multiple end-use applications. "Flame-resistant papers will char when exposed to a flame, and will not 'support' combustion, self-extinguishing when the flame source is removed," explained Jeff Murphy, Sales and Marketing Director for Expera Specialty Solutions. Expera produces flame-resistant papers across multiple applications. From utility grades and papers used in building and construction, to school craft papers, Expera's innovative technology provides targeted protection. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Sealed Air to Acquire Asian Specialty Foam Business

Sealed Air Corporation announced the acquisition of Fagerdala Singapore Pte Ltd., a manufacturer and fabricator of polyethylene foam. Sealed Air will acquire 100 percent of Fagerdala shares for approximately $100 million in cash. The sale is expected to close in October of 2017. Fagerdala, established in 1983 with headquarters in Singapore, has 14 manufacturing facilities, employs more than 1,300 people in China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Mexico and the United States, and generated $80 million in sales in 2016. Sealed Air plans to leverage Fagerdala’s manufacturing footprint in Asia, expertise in foam manufacturing and fabrication, and commercial organization to grow sales in the consumer electronics, medical equipment and devices, automotive, temperature assurance, and e-commerce fulfillment sectors. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Kruger Announces a $377.6-M Transaction to Diversify Two of its Québec Paper Mills into Specialty Niches

Kruger Inc. is announcing today a $377.6-M transaction to diversify operations at its Brompton and Wayagamack Mills into specialty niches, such as flexible food packaging, labelling and digital printing. This major project, undertaken in partnership with the Government of Québec, will help to maintain more than 500 jobs in the Mauricie and Estrie regions. The announcement was made today in the presence of Philippe Couillard, Premier of Québec; Dominique Anglade, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy; and Joseph Kruger II, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kruger, as well as Ministers Luc Blanchette, Julie Boulet, and Luc Fortin. Kruger and the Government of Québec have formed a partnership by which Investissement Québec, acting as the government's agent, will grant loans and a loan guarantee totalling $59.8 million and acquire an equity participation of 37.5%, or $44.6 million, in the new entity Kruger Specialty Papers Holding L.P. The new entity comprises the assets of the Brompton and Wayagamack Mills, as well as the Biomass Cogeneration Plant adjacent to the Brompton Mill. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Recent Story of USPS 20% Rate Filing is Off-Base

Dear Catalog Industry Member: If you have yet to come across this article, which appeared on September 6th in the Washington Post, New York Times, NY Daily News, and other major news outlets, it's worth a read, but with a grain of salt. Before you click on it, in a nutshell the article says the "Postal Service is currently petitioning the agency that oversees it, the Postal Regulatory Commission, to grant the biggest change to its pricing system in a half century: the authority to lift a cap on postal rates. The commission’s decision is expected within weeks." Rest assured, the USPS has not filed for such an increase. The headline of the story, "Analysis: Postal woes demand jump in stamp price to 60 cents," relates to the price increase needed to close the gap in postal finances in once fell swoop." Click Read More below for additional detail.
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EFI Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. announced its results for the second quarter of 2017. For the quarter ended June 30, 2017, the Company reported record second quarter revenue of $247.0 million, up 1% compared to second quarter 2016 revenue of $245.7 million. GAAP net income was $2.8 million, down 47% compared to $5.2 million for the same period in 2016 or $0.06 per diluted share, down 45% compared to $0.11 per diluted share for the same period in 2016. Non-GAAP net income was $25.5 million, down 4% compared to non-GAAP net income of $26.7 million for the same period in 2016 or $0.54 per diluted share, down 4% compared to $0.56 per diluted share for the same period in 2016. Cash flow from operating activities was $24.1 million, up 5% compared to $22.9 million during the same period in 2016. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. To Hire 8,000 Seasonal Employees Across Its Family Of Brands

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. announced it plans to hire approximately 8,000 associates nationwide for positions across its gourmet food brands as it prepares for the 2017 holiday shopping season. Interviewing for new hires is now underway for seasonal roles at Harry & David, Cheryl's Cookies and The Popcorn Factory. Available positions vary by brand and include full-time and part-time roles in high-volume areas such as production, gift assembly and retail stores, as well as call center, distribution and fulfillment center operations. Most of the seasonal positions are being offered in Illinois, Ohio and Oregon. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Appleton Coated Introduces Ethos® Enhanced Inkjet Swatchbook

Appleton Coated’s new Ethos Enhanced Inkjet Swatchbook highlights the product’s versatility. Featuring samples printed across multiple high-speed inkjet platforms – including the HP PageWide, Kodak Prosper, Ricoh IPS5000 & Pro VC60000, Canon ColorStream & VarioPrint i300, and Screen TruePress – the book is a showcase of the capabilities of this silk, coated-like inkjet paper. “The swatchbook is printed by our customers across North America,” explains Amy Ambos, Appleton Coated’s inkjet product manager, “using both dye and pigment inks. Ethos Enhanced Inkjet is an obvious choice for many direct mail, commercial and publishing applications.” Ambos continues, “Our customers are impressed with the print quality, runnability, and product availability. The product is manufactured at our mill in Combined Locks, Wisconsin, ensuring the quick-turn required by many customers.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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BillerudKorsnäs production unit in Karlsborg expected to be back to full production during next week

During the night between September 5th and 6th, there was a fire in one of the buildings at BillerudKorsnäs’ production unit in Karlsborg and the production has been stopped since then. After analysing the impact of the fire, BillerudKorsnäs now expects Karlsborg to be back to full production during the week starting with Monday September 18th. "The most important thing is that no person has been injured in the fire. We have now assessed the impact of the fire and the work with making the unit ready for start of production is ongoing at high intensity. We expect full production to be reached during next week, i.e. the week starting with Monday September 18th. As it is a complex start-up after this type of event, there is some uncertainty about the exact timing", says Per Lindberg, President and CEO of BillerudKorsnäs. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Barnes & Noble Reports Fiscal 2018 First Quarter Financial Results

Total sales for the first quarter were $853 million, declining 6.6% as compared to the prior year. Comparable store sales decreased 4.9%, as declines in non-book categories outpaced improved book trends during the quarter. The Company also experienced lower online and NOOK® sales during the quarter, which were impacted by the prior year eBook settlement and lower promotional activity. The consolidated first quarter net loss improved to $10.8 million, or $0.15 per share, compared to a loss of $14.4 million, or $0.20 per share, in the prior year. The consolidated first quarter operating loss of $15.2 million improved $6.2 million versus the prior year. Retail incurred an operating loss of $12.5 million, while NOOK incurred an operating loss of $2.7 million. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Crude oil gains in Asia with Irma impact and Chinese yuan in focus

Crude oil prices gained in Asia on Monday as the impact of Hurricane Irma was not as severe as expected so far, but still packed a wallop for Florida even as its intensity was downgraded and as investors eyed China crude buying trends in the wake of a strongly stronger yuan. Hurricane Irma knocked out power to more than 2.4 million homes and businesses in Florida on Sunday, threatening millions more as it crept up the state's west coast, and full restoration of service will take weeks, local electric utilities said. But after Hurricane Irma hit Florida on Sunday morning as a dangerous Category 4 storm, the second highest level on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, it weakened to a Category 2 with maximum sustained winds of 110 miles per hour (177 kph). The yuan gained to its highest level since May 2016 on Monday, a boon for commodity imports priced in dolalrs that are imported into China such as crude oil. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Crown Holdings, Inc. To Build New Beverage Can Plant In Valencia Region Of Spain

Crown Holdings, Inc. announced that it will build a new plant in the Valencia region of Spain to produce aluminum beverage cans. The location of the facility, Parc Sagunt, is approximately 10 miles north of the city of Valencia, and was selected based on its close proximity to key customers as well as the excellent local infrastructure and transportation links. The Company currently operates two steel beverage can plants in Spain, in Agoncillo and Seville, and will be constructing the new facility to meet the growing demand and preference for aluminum beverage cans in the Iberian region. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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New Investments to Improve Rail Capacity in Northeastern Maine

Last month, U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced a $7.89 Million grant for a project to improve rail infrastructure in Northeastern Maine. NBM Rail Services has been awarded the contract to repair and upgrade 22 rail bridges on the Madawaska Subdivision of the Maine Northern Railway. Fourteen bridges will require minor repairs, three bridges require superstructure replacements, and one bridge will be replaced completely. The funding, through the FASTLANE grant program, will help create jobs, improve competitiveness and provide an economic boost for the State of Maine. Following project completion, the 151-mile section will be capable of carrying 286,000 pounds of rail car weight. “This major rail link is used daily by manufacturers and customers across our state, and these improvements will significantly increase capacity and efficiency throughout the corridor,” said Senator Collins, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Zenith Ad Forecast Downgraded Again

Macroeconomic troubles have prompted Zenith to lower its global ad-spend growth prediction to 4% for 2017, when total expenditures are now expected to reach $558 billion. That’s a downgrade from the 4.2% growth that Zenith had forecast in June. The June forecast was a downgrade from the 4.4% the Publicis Groupe media agency had forecast in March. Digital -- and particularly mobile -- continues to take dollars away from print media as consumers use mobile apps. The most rapid growth is coming from online video (+18%) and social media (+25%), while U.S. TV is still growing, only fractionally at 0.5% this year. American print media continue its steep decline, with newspapers falling 9% and magazines down 7.4% this year. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Smurfit Kappa has been awarded the gold Corporate Social Responsibility (‘CSR’) rating by EcoVadis, a leading evaluator of global supply chains, for the fourth successive year.

The company ranked among the top 1% of the 30,000 companies that were assessed on a range of criteria across environment, labour practices and human rights, sustainable procurement and fair business practices. EcoVadis provides supplier sustainability ratings for global supply chains in companies such as BASF, Johnson & Johnson, Nestlé, Renault and Veolia. This achievement follows on from Smurfit Kappa reaching a sustainability target earlier in the year when it reached full chain of custody certification for its entire raw material supply chain, helping its customers to meet their own sustainability and environmental targets. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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OBISHIKOKAANG CERTIFIES TO SFI STANDARD TO ENHANCE FORESTRY OPERATIONS, SUSTAINABILITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) announced today that Obishikokaang Resources Corporation has certified more than 1 million hectares of the Lac Seul Forest in Northern Ontario to the SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard. Lac Seul First Nation, also known as Obishikokaang, is the oldest Reserve in the Sioux Lookout District. Lac Seul First Nation has over 800 members and is made up of the communities of Kejick Bay, Whitefish Bay and Frenchman’s Head, all located on the shores of Lac Seul. “Lac Seul and the surrounding forest have always provided for the economic and cultural well-being of the people of Obishikokaang. Certifying to SFI is part of our commitment to the kind of sustainable business practices that are designed to protect the environment and support economic growth. Band members are working as part of the management teams, supervising harvesting and playing an important role in forest regeneration,” said Clifford Bull, Chief of Lac Seul First Nation. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Transcontinental Inc. announces its financial results for the third quarter of Fiscal 2017

Revenues went from $467.8 million in the third quarter of 2016 to $477.7 million in the third quarter of 2017, an increase of 2.1%. This increase is attributable to the contribution from the acquisitions in the packaging division, as well as the favourable exchange rate effect and the organic growth in revenues for the Printing and Packaging Sector. Organic growth in revenues is attributable to higher volume in the packaging division and higher demand for all services to Canadian retailers, namely for flyer and in-store marketing printing services, as well as for premedia and door-to-door distribution services, notably under the terms of the expanded agreement with Lowe's Canada, partially offset by the decline in revenues from the other printing division verticals. Net earnings increased by $3.1 million, from $45.9 million in the third quarter of 2016 to $49.0 million in the third quarter of 2017. This increase is mostly attributable to the increase in operating earnings, partially offset by the increase in net financial expenses. On a per share basis, net earnings went from $0.59 to $0.64. Excluding restructuring and other costs (revenues) and impairment of assets, net of related income taxes, adjusted net earnings increased by $6.0 million, or 13.6%, from $44.1 million in the third quarter of 2016 to $50.1 million in the third quarter of 2017. On a per share basis, adjusted net earnings went from $0.57 to $0.65.
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Sappi North America Honored with 2017 Positively Print Award at PRINT 17

Sappi North America’s publication, “Verticals: The Marketing of Higher Education,” was selected as the 2017 winner of the annual Positively Print award. Pursuing the organization’s mission to educate its stakeholders, Sappi launched the Verticals series to examine individual vertical markets and the unique challenges, traditions, and idiosyncrasies each faces when communicating with its target audience. This first installment of the Verticals series aims to bring colleges and universities across the United States a set of best practices for attracting new students through in-depth research and case studies. “Verticals: The Marketing of Higher Education” brings industry statistics to life, busts myths on marketing to this demographic, and includes a five-page pullout full of special effects and cross-channel marketing tips. With competition stronger than ever, the publication creatively demonstrates how print, a sustainable choice, effectively cuts through digital clutter, helping colleges and universities create a lasting impression to stand out with students and their families. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Mail Service Update: USPS Continues to Temporarily Adjust Operations In Florida and Georgia Due to Hurricane Irma

The U.S. Postal Service Gulf Atlantic District, which includes portions of northern Florida and southern Georgia, continues to prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Irma by advising customers that normal service operations in the path of the storm may be interrupted in the event of unsafe conditions such as high winds, flooding, or impassable roads. A dedicated Emergency Operations team is directing efforts to carefully and thoughtfully make decisions about our operations in an abundance of caution and out of concern for the safety and wellness of employees and customers. We will continue to temporarily adjust operations at some Post Offices in both Florida and Georgia. The information below provides the latest details on specific dates and times of temporary service suspensions. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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HomeServices of America Acquires The Long & Foster Companies

HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, today announced that it has acquired The Long & Foster Companies, Inc., the largest private residential real estate company in the United States by sales volume. The acquisition includes Long & Foster’s family of companies, including Long & Foster Real Estate and its market-leading affiliated business lines in mortgage, settlement services, insurance, and property management. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
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Pitney Bowes Acquires Newgistics Inc. for $475 Million

Pitney Bowes announced it is acquiring Newgistics Inc. for $475 million in a move to accelerate Pitney Bowes’ expansion into the U.S. domestic parcels market. “Newgistics fits uniquely at the intersection of our parcel growth strategies and will accelerate the overall transformation of Pitney Bowes,” said Marc B. Lautenbach, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pitney Bowes. “This acquisition combined with recent innovations in mailing and shipping for SMB clients, organic growth of our global ecommerce business, and expansion of our presort and parcel services network – definitively anchors Pitney Bowes in a growing space and vastly increases the value we can deliver for our clients.”
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The UPS Foundation, American Red Cross And CyPhy Works Launch Disaster Relief Drone Pilot Program

The UPS Foundation, the American Red Cross and drone manufacturer CyPhy Works, Inc., today announced a partnership to launch a drone pilot program, marking the first time the American Red Cross will test using a tethered drone to assess damage after a major natural disaster in the United States. “With such catastrophic injury and damage being caused by natural disasters, every minute counts. It’s essential that public and private organizations work together to find new and innovative solutions to support and enhance recovery efforts after a natural disaster strikes,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation and chief diversity and inclusion officer.
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Postal Service to Dedicate Christmas Carols Forever Stamps

The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the Holiday season with four new Forever stamps featuring images that illustrate a major theme of each of four beloved Christmas carols: “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “Silent Night” and “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas.” Familiar lines from each song highlight the individual stamps. The shades of blue in the backgrounds of the stamps evoke the evening scenes from the four carols. This booklet of 20 stamps includes five of each design. The late Howard E. Paine was the art director. Artist Steve McCracken of Winchester, VA, created original art for the project.
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LSC Communications Further Consolidates Magazine Printing Market with Publishers Press Acquisition

The publication printing industry in North America continues to consolidate, and LSC Communications is leading the charge. Following on the heels of its July 17 acquisition of Creel Printing, Chicago-based LSC Communications announced today that it has acquired Publishers Press, a family-owned printing and digital solutions provider based in Lebanon Junction, Ky. It brings an end to the stewardship of Publishers Press and its predecessor entities by five generations of the Simon family, whose roots go back to 1866 when Nicholas Simon purchased an interest in a new German newspaper in Louisville, Ky., which later became known as "The Printing Rooms of Nicholas Simon."
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Xerox Offers Solutions that Connect the Physical and Digital Worlds at PRINT 17

How can today’s commercial printers bridge the physical and digital worlds through innovative solutions in printing technology, workflow software and personalization? The answers will be on display at the Xerox booth at PRINT 17. “Xerox is focused on innovations that give our customers the tools they need to grow their business and succeed in the competitive graphic communications market,” said Andrew Copley, president, Graphic Communications Solutions, Xerox. “With the speed and enhanced inline finishing capabilities of the new Versant® 3100, businesses can lower costs and turn around jobs faster; with our latest ink innovations, they can save substantially by printing directly from inkjet to offset coated stocks; and with brilliant highlights of white, dry ink they can deliver exceptional marketing materials. What attendees see at PRINT 17 from Xerox sets us apart from the competition.”
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InPrint USA to Host Inaugural Industrial Inkjet Conference

InPrint USA, the Industrial Print Show, will host the first Industrial Inkjet Conference May 1-2, 2018 at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. The conference will showcase how inkjet technologies are transforming the manufacturing sector and will educate attendees on the opportunities and challenges in inkjet printing for industrial applications. The inaugural InPrint USA exhibition, held last April in Orlando, connected manufacturers who use print as a key component of the manufacturing process with leading brands in the fields of industrial specialty, screen, digital, inkjet and 3D technology print solutions.
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First Installation of RMGT 10 Series Press Powered by LED-UV in Chicago

In late September 2017, the first RMGT 10 Series Press powered by LED-UV curing and featuring a full suite of RMGT makeready and print quality technology, will be installed at VISOgraphic’s 40,000-sq.-ft. facility based here. When Chicago area commercial, digital and packaging printer VISOgraphic began its search for the new 40” offset printing press that would propel them through the growth spurt they are experiencing, the RMGT 10 Series really wasn't on its radar. However, after several meetings and visits to key RMGT customers in the Midwest, the decision to move ahead with RMGT was made by the VISOgraphic management team.
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CannedWater4Kids, INX Team Up to Support Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts

CannedWater4Kids (CW4K) and INX International Ink Co. have joined forces to send a rush delivery of drinking water to help in the Hurricane Harvey disaster relief efforts. A truckload of 52,800, 12-ounce cans of fresh, purified water is scheduled to arrive today at a Red Cross Distribution Center near Houston. Hurricane Harvey made landfall for the first time on August 25 and landed a devastating blow to the Gulf Coast of Texas. A multiple-day event, the Category 4 storm with 130 mph winds was the most powerful hurricane to hit the US in more than a decade. Damage caused by the high winds, torrential rains and record flooding displaced more than 30,000 people and prompted more than 17,000 rescues.
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Sun Chemical Working to Assess the Market Impact of Devastation Caused by Hurricane Harvey

Due to the unprecedented impact and devastation in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, several of Sun Chemical’s feedstock suppliers have announced a force majeure and many other raw materials suppliers are reviewing allocations. While the volatility of the supplier markets is unknown at this point, the inks and pigments markets will be affected. Sun Chemical is committed to working closely with its suppliers to assess global ramifications, develop needed contingency plans, and to notify customers of potential delays or issues.
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Sappi to Present Innovative, Sustainable Paper Packaging Solutions at Pack Expo Las Vegas

Sappi Limited, a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, will be showing its full range of speciality and packaging grades at the 2017 Pack Expo Las Vegas September 25-27, 2017. Sappi is committed to offering customers high-quality, innovative and sustainable specialty products and solutions via its robust global network. "We are experts in what we do and a reliable partner when it comes to challenging packaging solutions as well as the manufacturing processes for these types of packaging,” said Mark Odgers, Director of Packaging, Sappi North America. “In light of the high investment levels and significant amount of work that Sappi has put into packaging and speciality papers, we’re excited to share our full product line and what’s next for us at Pack Expo. We are delighted to invite all visitors to stop by to discuss their specific requirements with us."
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GDUSA’s American Graphic Design Awards Open Thru September 22

The editors of Graphic Design USA invite you to join the thousands of creative professionals who have been recognized by this national design competition for five decades. The competition is open to every­one in the community: advertising agencies, design firms, corporate, institutional and publishing inhouse departments, and more. It honors outstanding new work of all kinds: print, packaging, p-o-p, internet, interactive, video and more. Winners receive an embossed Certificate of Excellence for each piece selected and are eligible for reproduction in the 54th Anniversary GDUSA Awards Annual in print, online, digital and mobile – seen by over 100,000 colleagues and clients each year. The featured category: Creative Use of Stock sponsored by Adobe Stock.
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Oil Steady as Irma Heads for Florida, Saudi Arabia Cuts Supply

Oil prices steadied on Friday after almost a week of sharp rises as Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful storms in a century, drove towards Florida after tearing through the Caribbean. Irma is the second major hurricane to approach the United States in two weeks and has already killed 14, flattening whole islands. Its predecessor, Harvey, shut a quarter of U.S. refineries and 8 percent of U.S. oil production. “Hurricanes can have a lasting effect on refinery and industry demand,” said Eugen Weinberg, head of commodities research at Commerzbank in Frankfurt. “The impact of the forces of nature on U.S. oil production should not be overestimated – nor should their impact on demand be underestimated.”
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Barnes & Noble Reports Fiscal 2018 First Quarter Financial Results

Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE:BKS) today reported sales and earnings for its fiscal 2018 first quarter ended July 29, 2017. Total sales for the first quarter were $853 million, declining 6.6% as compared to the prior year. Comparable store sales decreased 4.9%, as declines in non-book categories outpaced improved book trends during the quarter. The Company also experienced lower online and NOOK® sales during the quarter, which were impacted by the prior year eBook settlement and lower promotional activity.
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Amazon Opens Search for Amazon HQ2–A Second Headquarters City in North America

Amazon today announced plans to open Amazon HQ2, a second company headquarters in North America. Amazon expects to invest over $5 billion in construction and grow this second headquarters to include as many as 50,000 high-paying jobs. In addition to Amazon’s direct hiring and investment, construction and ongoing operation of Amazon HQ2 is expected to create tens of thousands of additional jobs and tens of billions of dollars in additional investment in the surrounding community. Amazon is opening the Amazon HQ2 Request for Proposal (“RFP”) now, and local and state government leaders interested in learning more about how they can bring Amazon to their community can visit www.amazon.com/amazonHQ2.
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Xerox and World-Renowned Authors Set the Page Free in Collaborative Book Project

A book collaboration of epic scale is underway with 14 celebrated and award-winning international writers and creative talents. Xerox’s Project: SET THE PAGE FREE will feature chapters by each of the contributors – including a poem and a song – that together tell the ultimate story of the modern workplace, each with a unique creative perspective on the working world.
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New Book from Bestselling Author Tim Ferriss Provides Inspirational Gems and Life-Changing Advice from World-Famous High-Achievers

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt announced today that it will publish a new book by #1 New York Times bestselling author Tim Ferriss on Nov. 21, 2017. TRIBE OF MENTORS: SHORT LIFE ADVICE FROM THE BEST IN THE WORLD shares wisdom from more than 100 entrepreneurs, athletes, celebrities, and other top performers. Through short, action-packed profiles, Ferriss details their secrets for success, happiness, meaning, and more.
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Arandell Hurricane Harvey Update #2

Effective over the Labor Day Weekend, the USPS’s North Houston P&DC that services the entire Greater Houston Area has begun resuming all operations. This includes all processing operations for Marketing / Standard Mail. This processing facility serves all Post Office Delivery Units within the 3-Digit ZIP Codes of 770, 772, 773, 774, 775, 776, 777 and 778. Furthermore, all Post Office Delivery Units have resumed normal operation with the exception of a handful, whose services are being performed out of alternative delivery facilities.
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Printing Impressions Reveals Winners of the 2017 Gold Ink Awards

Printing Impressions is excited to announce the winners of our 2017 Gold Ink Awards! The 2017 competition, which garnered nearly 800 entries, was open to all creators and producers of printed materials, and encompassed 46 categories within commercial printing, magazines, books, catalogs, digital printing and packaging. Not only did the winning pieces surpass their competitors based on print and finishing quality, technical difficulty and overall visual effect, but they also showed what is possible for other creatives in the printing industry.
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Appleton Coated Introduces Ethos® Enhanced Inkjet Swatchbook

Appleton Coated’s new Ethos Enhanced Inkjet Swatchbook highlights the product’s versatility. Featuring samples printed across multiple high-speed inkjet platforms – including the HP PageWide, Kodak Prosper, Ricoh IPS5000 & Pro VC60000, Canon ColorStream & VarioPrint i300, and Screen TruePress – the book is a showcase of the capabilities of this silk, coated-like inkjet paper. “The swatchbook is printed by our customers across North America,” explains Amy Ambos, Appleton Coated’s inkjet product manager, “using both dye and pigment inks. Ethos Enhanced Inkjet is an obvious choice for many direct mail, commercial and publishing applications.” Ambos continues, “Our customers are impressed with the print quality, runnability, and product availability. The product is manufactured at our mill in Combined Locks, Wisconsin, ensuring the quick-turn required by many customers.”
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Glatfelter to Present at KeyBanc Capital Markets Basic Materials & Packaging Conference on September 12th

Glatfelter (NYSE: GLT) today announced that Dante C. Parrini, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and John P. Jacunski, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will be presenting at the 2017 KeyBanc Capital Markets Basic Materials & Packaging Conference on September 12, 2017, at the InterContinental Hotel in Boston, MA. The presentation will begin at 12:05 p.m. Eastern.
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J.D. Irving, Limited Business Services Awards Seven Scholarships to Children of Employees

On average J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) awards over $250,000 in educational scholarships each year. We award some of these scholarships to the children of our valued employees who are pursuing their education at a post-secondary level. Recently, seven students were awarded scholarships in a ceremony at our Saint John Head Office. “Congratulations to this year’s scholarship winners,” said Mary-Beth Tingly, Director of Human Resources for Irving Business Services. “We are pleased to award scholarships for students who excel academically, and show a passion for community involvement. Best of luck in your chosen field. We hope you will keep summer and co-op opportunities with J.D. Irving, Limited in mind throughout your education.”
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Graphic Packaging to Close Santa Clara, California Paperboard Mill by Year End

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK), today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Graphic Packaging International, Inc., will close its coated recycled paperboard mill in Santa Clara, California by year end. This decision was made as a result of a thorough assessment of the facility's manufacturing capabilities and associated costs in the context of the Company's overall mill operating capability. The closure will affect approximately 120 employees.
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BillerudKorsnäS Among the Most Sustainable Companies in the World

As the only European company, BillerudKorsnäs last year was named sustainability leader in the category Containers & Packaging, and included in the globally recognized Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In this year’s assessment, BillerudKorsnäs advances from belonging to the top 20 percent in Europe, to the 10 percent most sustainable companies in the world.
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New Digital Tools Help Educate on Plastic Wrap and Bag Recycling

The Flexible Film Recycling Group (FFRG) of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) has released two new online tools and an updated website designed to help grow the recycling of plastic wraps, bags, and other flexible polyethylene film packaging. These free tools provide resources to a wide range of audiences—including consumers, recycling coordinators, local and state governments, and businesses—about this material, collectively known as “film.” They aim to help these audiences learn more about what material can be recycled, how to properly recycle it, and how to grow plastic film recycling at a local level. Says the FFRG, more and better plastic film recycling can help improve the environment and support local recycling or waste diversion goals.
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Wolff Olins Appoints First Female CEO

Wolff Olins has appointed Sairah Ashman as CEO. The first female head of the creative consultancy, she has been with Wolff Olins for 23 years, seven of them as Global COO. Former CEO Ije Nwokorie says, “Sairah is one driven leader; privately and professionally committed to making a positive impact in the world. She’s an important voice for equality in our industry and I am excited by our continuing partnership.”
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Cannabis Concentrates Get High End Branding By Pentagram

Harmony Extracts is a cannabis concentrate company that uses state-of-the-art extraction technologies to transform marijuana plants into potent concentrates. A new enterprise based in Denver CO, Harmony commissioned Pentagram to design its brand identity and packaging for the initial line of products. Rejecting the head-shop look of the bygone days, the Pentagram team decided to align the brand with the growing number of modern, clean, high-end dispensaries “that seemed to be on a mission to become the Starbucks of the cannabis retail world.”
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Oil Firms as U.S. Gulf Refineries Restart, Dollar Softens

Brent oil prices firmed on Thursday, hovering near 3-1/2-month highs as U.S. refiners restarting after Tropical Storm Harvey increased their crude processing and the U.S. dollar declined. Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up 28 cents at $54.48 a barrel by 1143 GMT, close to their highest since May 25. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 eased by 11 cents to $49.05 a barrel, near a four-week high.
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Claiming Liberal Bias, Pub Drops Association with ‘NYT’ Bestseller Lists

Complaints about the lack of transparency in how the New York Times compiles its bestseller lists are nothing new. For years, some publishers have complained that the paper's methodology—relying on point-of-sale data from a secret and select list of stores—can produce skewed and inaccurate results. For publishers of conservative books, the Times' approach has long been a headache. Now, one of these publishers has taken action.
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American Media, Inc. Acquires Full Ownership of Mr. Olympia Competition

American Media, Inc. (AMI) Chairman and CEO David J. Pecker, Weider Health & Fitness CEO and IFBB Professional League (IFBB Pro League) President Emeritus Eric Weider and IFBB Pro League President Jim Manion, today announced that they have reached an agreement for AMI to purchase from IFBB Pro League its half of the Mr. Olympia joint venture with AMI becoming the sole owner.
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18th Annual New Yorker Festival to be Held October 6-8

On October 6, 7, and 8, 2017, The New Yorker will present its eighteenth festival, an annual celebration that brings the breadth and the spirit of the magazine to life across New York City. Over three days, New Yorker writers and editors will sit down with the world’s leading writers, artists, filmmakers, actors, comedians, politicians, activists, and athletes. The foremost cultural event of the fall will also feature live performances, film previews, and excursions throughout New York City.
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Can Billionaires Save the Media Business?

On July 28, Apple heiress Laurene Powell Jobs bought a majority stake in The Atlantic. It’s the latest media purchase by the billionaire class, a group that includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos (the Washington Post), Boston Red Sox owner John Henry (the Boston Globe), billionaire Glen Taylor (the Minneapolis Star-Tribune) and casino magnate Sheldon Adelson (the Las Vegas Review-Journal). Some have praised this growing trend, arguing that wealthy individuals are journalism’s last, best hope. And there are notable cases of rich philanthropists, like Pierre Omidyar and Gerry Lenfest, making significant donations toward public service journalism.
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Pocket Folders Fast Adds Two J Press 720S’s

Pocket Folders Fast, an Omaha, NE-based print service provider, has invested in two J Press 720S presses from FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division. Pocket Folders Fast is a division of a broader group of companies, Wright Printing and Barnhart Press. Being a commercial printer allows this group of companies to provide services to a range of clients, including the niche of pocket folders and short-run digital packaging.
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J.S. McCarthy Printers Taps Jonathan Tardiff as President

J.S. McCarthy Printers and the Tardiff family announced that effective August 21, 2017, Jonathan “Jon” Tardiff has been appointed president of J.S. McCarthy Co. It has been a long journey and the company is very proud of Tardiff and all that he has accomplished and says that it is confident that he will bring the same dedication to this new role as he has to everything else he accomplished at the company.
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2017 Atlantic Teacher’s Tour

This August, J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) volunteered to host a visit to our operations as part of the Atlantic Canadian Teachers’ Tour, held in Truro, Nova Scotia. Educators from all over the Atlantic Provinces gathered to learn more about the forestry industry and how it impacts our region. The three-day tour involved tours of local mills, private woodlot owners land and JDI freehold land, pre-commercial thinning and commercial thinning.
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Recreate Packaging 2018 Design Competition Opens

The competition, organized by Stora Enso, is now open for registration on recreatepackaging.com until 22nd December 2017. Taste is visual, and an appealing package can alter not only the general impression but also the perceived taste of a food product. The Recreate Packaging by Stora Enso is a design competition that seeks new packaging ideas and solutions based on renewable fibre-based materials. This time, the designers’ task is to rethink food packaging to make the whole product experience appealing, fun and enjoyable for kids.
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The New Global Packaging Economy

A decade or so ago, Ben Miyares, a regular contributor to this magazine and President of The Packaging Management Institute, was teaching a module for our on-line Packaging Masters Program Course “The Value of Packaging” at Michigan State University. We had just started PTIS and believed that packaging value was very understated and that there were big opportunities ahead. The Miyares module was about packaging being bigger than an “industry”—he referred to it as an “economy.”
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CDP First U.S. Business to Buy EFI Nozomi Single-Pass Inkjet Corrugated Press

Electronics For Imaging on Tuesday said Complete Design & Packaging (CDP), an independent corrugated packaging provider in Concord, N.C., will be the first U.S. business in to install EFI's Nozomi C18000 single-pass LED corrugated packaging press. CDP, which was founded by Howard Bertram in 2002, will use the six-color press for "cost-effective, high-quality, direct-to-board digital printing that extends client brand presence in retail corrugated packaging," according to a press release from EFI.
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Fire in BillerudKorsnäS Production Unit in Karlsborg Extinguished

As reported in the media, during the night between September 5 and 6th, there was a fire in one of the buildings at BillerudKorsnäs’ production unit in Karlsborg. The fire started late in the evening on September 5th in and was isolated to one building. . The fire has been extinguished. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The production in Karlsborg has been stopped while the damage is being investigated.
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6 Things to Avoid When Designing a Logo

We teamed up with the brilliant minds at LogoLounge to provide our readers with an extensive look into this year’s logo design trends and insights in the latest issue of HOW magazine. LogoLounge’s Bill Gardner and an esteemed panel of judges pored through 40,000 logos collectively to select the cream of the crop in logo design from around the world. This year’s judges were:
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Oil up After Harvey Fallout; Hurricane Irma Heads into Caribbean

Brent LCOc1 had gained 28 cents to $53.66 a barrel by 0952 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures Clc1 were up 15 cents at $48.81. “Hurricane Harvey was bearish for crude and speculators went massively short WTI but now there is a reversal to positions pre-Harvey. Strong margins are helping underpin crude ... gasoil is at its highest point this year,” Olivier Jakob of Petromatrix consultancy said. Many refineries, pipelines and ports that were knocked out by Harvey 10 days ago are restarting. As of Tuesday, about 3.8 million barrels per day (bpd) of refining capacity, or 20 percent of the U.S. total, was shut. This compares with 4.2 million bpd at the height of the storm.
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Appleton Coated Green Power no Longer Green-e Certified

As of September 1, 2017, Appleton Coated Green Power will no longer carry Green-e certification. Our relationship with Green-e ended on August 31, 2017. Although products in the warehouse still have the Green-e logo imprinted on the labels, these items are no longer sold with this certification. All Appleton Coated products that carry the Appleton Coated Green Power designation in inventory now and moving forward will continue to have 100% of the electricity used to manufacture these products matched with renewable energy credits (RECS), which is primarily wind.
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Profits at PRH Rise, on Small Sales Gain, in First Half of 2017

Total revenue at Penguin Random House inched up 1.1% in the first half of 2017, over the first six months of 2016, while earnings at the publisher rose 11.4%. Parent company Bertlesmann reported that worldwide sales were €1.53 billion ($1.81 billion) in the period, up from €1.52 billion. Meanwhile, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) was €206 million, up from €185 million in the first six months of 2016. Bertlesmann said the earnings improvement reflected continued benefits from the Penguin-Random House merger.
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Diversification Is Continued Imperative for Mag Industry

A study conducted by consulting firm PwC confirms what a many publishing leaders already know: As advertising and circulation revenues decline, diversification becomes a business imperative. “Advertising for print is down. Circulation is down. Revenues are projected to be flat,” says PwC partner Greg Boyer. “To make up for these declines, magazine publishers need to innovate in a variety of ways.” In particular Boyer sees mobile and video as a bright spot for the publishing industry. According to the Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 2017-2021 report released in June, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for magazine circulation and advertising revenue over the next five years is 0.19%. In terms of dollars, that’s a mere $300 million increase, approximately, in industry revenue.
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New Training Intake Starts at Heidelberg: With a Focus on Digitization

The training programs at Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) started on Sept. 1, 2017 – 99 young men and women began their training/cooperative education degrees at one of the company’s four sites in Germany. In line with the “Heidelberg goes Digital” strategic orientation, the industry leader is also increasingly focusing its training on the issue of the digital transformation. For example, the company is providing mechatronics engineers with targeted training in using the View2Connect virtual collaboration and communication platform, which facilitates completely digital assembly planning among other features. Digital workstations for trainees in various corporate departments are planned for the future.
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When It Comes to the Fundamentals of Paper, Do You Make the Grade?

When your employees and customers understand the fundamentals of paper, they better understand the value your company provides. After a successful event last September, NPTA Paper School returns this fall in Chicago, IL. This half-day program teaches the most important topics in paper and provides each attendee with a strong foundation of knowledge to build on. The six classroom sections are taught by paper industry leading experts from top paper mills. Attendees will receive access to the PRINT17 tradeshow floor and take a guided tour of the most advanced printing equipment in the world.
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Supporting Innovation: J.D. Irving Sponsors Paradigm Hyperloop

Paradigm Hyperloop is a team of students from Memorial University of Newfoundland, College of the North Atlantic, and Northeastern University of Boston that has been planning, designing, and developing a hyperloop pod, which is a conceptual fifth mode of transportation that involves levitating train-like vehicles that travel through low pressure vacuum tubes. The team has been at the project for two years! J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) is proud to sponsor the innovative work that the Paradigm Hyperloop team is doing.
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BillerudKorsnäS Invests in Cold Chain Packaging Company Vericool

BillerudKorsnäs invests in the area of cold chain packaging as it acquires a minority holding in the innovative company Vericool Inc., headquartered in California. The company’s solutions enable sustainable and compostable packaging solutions for unbroken cold chains in the grocery and pharmaceutical market, intended as an alternative to non-sustainable packaging solutions, such as polystyrene (EPS).
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Smurfit Kappa Bag-in-Box at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2017

Smurfit Kappa, leader in complete Bag-in-Box® packaging solutions, will be attending the PACK EXPO event from 25th - 27th September 2017 at the Las Vegas Convention Centre. Smurfit Kappa will showcase its unique expertise in complete packaging solutions with its Bag-in-Box®, Pouch-Up®, Vitop tap and filling machines. Adapted for the food and beverage industry and also non-food industries such as automotive, agrochemical and pharmaceutical, these innovations show many advantages in terms of shelf life, cost, sustainability and consumer convenience.
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Forest2Market Report Shows Increased Demand for Wood Fiber Leads to Forest Growth

As the debate about the carbon benefits of generating electricity in Europe from wood pellets manufactured in the southern United States continues, a new Forest2Market report shows that growth in demand for forest products (e.g., lumber, paper, packaging and wood pellets) has led to greater forest productivity and a significant increase in the amount of forest inventory available for storing carbon. The report, Historical Perspective on the Relationship between Demand and Forest Productivity in the US South, analyzes US Forest Service data and other scientific research to understand the relationship between changes in demand and supply from 1953 to 2015.
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Pantone Honors Prince With Custom Purple Shade

The Prince Estate and the Pantone Color Institute™ have created a standardized custom color to represent and honor international icon, Prince. The (naturally) purple hue, represented by his “Love Symbol #2” was inspired by his custom-made Yamaha purple piano, which was originally scheduled to go on tour with the performer before his untimely passing at the age of 57. The color pays tribute to Prince’s mark on music, art, fashion and culture.
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Top 10 Inspirations from Chad Michael

I can count on one hand the number of designers whose work I’ve fallen in love with based purely on their business card: Chad Michael is at the top of that list. Its devilishly intricate foil details and grinning skull-like grail are more in keeping with some mythical talisman than a simple calling card. It is precisely this mix of thoughtful sophistication and otherworldly iconography that makes Chad’s work seem both fresh and new, as well as gloriously historic. His bold choice of typography only enhances this feeling.
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Creating the Optimal Coupon Mix for Personalized Marketing

The first ever coupon is believed to have been distributed in 1888 by Coca-Cola — a ticket for a “free cup of Coke” to help promote the drink. It's estimated that by 1913, one in nine Americans had redeemed at least one of the 8.5 million tickets distributed through mail, magazine inserts, sales representatives and company employees. Historically, coupons were viewed simply as a mass promotion vehicle to drive more sales of a particular product. In the digital age, customer information provides retailers the opportunity to join forces with suppliers to personalize and optimize coupon distribution in a way that serves a multitude of objectives. For example, personalized coupons can support introduction to categories and products, retention of customer revenue, cross-sell strategies, improvement of brand and private-label recognition, and more.
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U.S. Crude Rises, Gasoline Falls as Refineries Restart

U.S. oil prices rose on Tuesday and gasoline fell as the gradual restart of refineries in the Gulf of Mexico that were shut by Hurricane Harvey raised demand for crude and eased fears of a fuel supply crunch. Gasoline futures RBc1 dropped 4 percent from their last close, to $1.68 per gallon, down from $2.17 on Aug. 31 and back to levels last seen before Harvey hit the U.S. Gulf Coast and its large refining industry. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures Clc1 rose more than 1 percent to $47.84 per barrel by 1008 GMT, up 55 cents from their last settlement. “Gasoline fell as refineries in Texas began to reopen,” said William O‘Loughlin, investment analyst at Rivkin Securities. Texas was edging towards recovery from the devastation of Harvey as shipping channels, oil pipelines and refineries restarted some operations.
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SG360°’s Mary Lee Schneider on Latest Acquisition and What’s Ahead

Last week, SG360°, a print and direct marketing solutions provider headquartered in Wheeling, Ill., announced the acquisition of Data Service Solutions (DSS), an integrated print finishing company located in Bolingbrook, Ill. The deal reportedly makes this the second largest acquisition in the company’s history (the first was Lehigh Direct in 2014), and adds a fifth additional facility in the Chicago area. Printing Impressions caught up with Mary Lee Schneider, president and CEO of SG360°, to learn more about the acquisition, what it means for SG360° and the company’s plans for the future. “This is our first acquisition since we became part of a private equity team, ICV Partners, in December. SG360° is all about growth and we're excited to take our capabilities to the next level and really help our customers manage their complex communication needs,” says Schneider. Schneider, a former RR Donnelley veteran who has been president of SG360° for almost two years, says that the capabilities of DSS will strengthen SG360°’s positioning as a leading integrated direct marketing services firm, enhances the growth of SG360°'s fulfillment business, supports the firm's distribution strategy, and will be key to driving long-term, sustainable growth. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Indiana Lawsuit Results in Suspension of Sales Tax Collection Statute

We're excited to report an important positive development in the Hoosier state. Earlier this week, in response to a Complaint we filed with our TruST partner association NetChoice, the Indiana Department of Revenue acknowledged that it has no authority under current law to enforce its new “economic presence” nexus statute (House Enrolled Act 1129). This litigation challenging the law’s constitutionality is now pending in state Superior Court in Indianapolis. Under the new law, which went into effect on July 1, 2017, retailers with more than $100,000 in Indiana sales or 200 transactions annually with Indiana customers would be required to collect and remit Indiana sales tax. Before the law took effect, in late June Brann & Isaacson filed suit on our behalf alleging that the statute violates the long-standing physical presence “substantial nexus” requirement for state sales taxes under Quill Corp. v. North Dakota. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Kohl’s Doubles Donation for Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts to $1 Million to American Red Cross

Kohl’s announced it will double its earlier announced donation to support relief efforts in response to the severe weather impacting Texas and the Gulf Coast, for a total of a $1 million cash donation to the American Red Cross. In addition, Kohl’s will provide an estimated $1 million in financial support to Kohl’s associates who have been significantly impacted by the storm. “The destruction of the hurricane and its aftermath has continued to escalate day by day,” said Kevin Mansell, Kohl’s chairman, CEO and president. “We feel compelled to increase our donation to the Red Cross to help families across Texas and the Gulf Coast during this time of great need.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Gasoline Gain and Oil Pain Spurred by Storm as U.S. Plants Shut

Motor fuel prices slipped 1.2 percent on Friday, the first decline in front-month futures in almost two weeks, after a 25 percent gain in August. Crude in New York extended declines following the worst month since March. About 4.4 million barrels a day of U.S. refining capacity remains shuttered. The government plans to supply 1 million barrels of crude from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to a Gulf Coast plant, the first emergency release in five years. Hurricane Harvey cut U.S. refining capacity to the lowest level since 2008 after its initial strike on the Texas coast late last week. It returned as a storm to hit Louisiana on Wednesday, bringing torrential rains that shut the biggest U.S. refinery, owned by Motiva Enterprises LLC in Port Arthur, Texas. The lack of production forced Colonial Pipeline Co. to curb flows to a link that carries fuels to the Northeast. Valero Energy Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell Plc told wholesale customers Wednesday they don’t have enough gasoline and diesel to sell. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Hearst Acquires the Print and Digital Assets of The Telegraph and Journal-Courier

Hearst today announced that it has acquired The Telegraph and Journal-Courier from Civitas Media, LLC (“Civitas”). The acquisition strengthens Hearst Newspapers’ commitment to covering news in Illinois communities, adding to the reporting done by the Edwardsville Intelligencer. The announcement was made by Hearst President and CEO Steven R. Swartz and Hearst Newspapers President Mark Aldam. Financial terms were not disclosed. Civitas, headquartered in Davidson, North Carolina, is a portfolio company of Philadelphia-based private equity investment firm Versa Capital Management, LLC (“Versa”). Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Celebrated Living magazine reveals its Platinum List Awards

Today is the day when Celebrated Living magazine, the premium-class publication for American Airlines, announces the winners of its prestigious 2017 Platinum List Awards. Fourteen handpicked, expert judges and the public have finally spoken and we now know the best of the best in travel today. Thousands of votes were cast and counted across the 21 categories and the definitive list of the best resorts, hotels, cruises, fine dining and nightlife spots around the world is revealed today. The winners appear in the September/October issue of Celebrated Living magazine for American Airlines online and infligt. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Sappi invests in sugar separations and clean-up technology to strengthen its renewable bio-chemicals offering

Sappi Limited is pleased to announce that it will bolster its biorefining expertise through the acquisition of the Xylex® and Versalac® technologies owned by Plaxica Limited. The transaction will result in Sappi acquiring the sugar clean up technologies which includes the patents, knowhow, equipment and key technical staff of Plaxica. The size of the transaction does not require regulatory disclosure. Since 2013, Sappi has advanced its efforts to expand its biorefining expertise. Part of the strategy is to extract and clean-up C5 hemicellulose sugars from our Pre-Hydrolysis Kraft (PHK) liquors for further value add to higher value products. Commenting on the transaction, Louis Kruyshaar, Executive Vice President of Sappi Biotech said “Plaxica’s Xylex® solution is rated as one of the most advanced to offer optimum efficiency and economics for separation and clean-up of C5 sugars from pulp mill hydrolysates.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Important Mail Service Update for Rio Grande District Customers Affected by Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey’s impact on the Texas Gulf Coast resulted in the temporary suspension of mail delivery service, as well as the closure of some postal facilities in the Postal Service’s Rio Grande District. We realize our customers depend on the mail every day and we are working hard to reconnect customers with their mail as quickly as possible. Today, the U.S. Postal Service Rio Grande District is providing additional information on how customers displaced by Hurricane Harvey can retrieve Treasury checks they receive, via U.S. Mail. This includes checks from the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration (VA), Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and Railroad Retirement Board. In addition, we will be distributing any identifiable medications sent through the mail. We realize the importance of ensuring customers receive these items. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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U.S. companies impose duty on East Coast paper companies as NAFTA talks resolve little

American paper companies have imposed a 20% duty on coated paper from the Port Hawkesbury Mill in Nova Scotia, while Irving Paper in New Brunswick and Catalyst Paper of Britsh Columbia have had a 18% tariff imposed. North Pacific Papers of Washington State has also filed for countervailing duties on Canadian uncoated groundwood paper from Canada. The Hawkesbury mill won on appeal in its first round with the NAFTA panel. The U.S. has until mid-summer to appeal that decision, while other cases are being appealed by both the Canadian Federal and Provincial governments. During a recent rally in Phoenix Arizona, U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. will “probably” terminate NAFTA because he doesn’t think a deal can be made. His comments come about a week after re-negotiation talks began. The U.S. has also formally demanded that the Chapter 19 dispute resolution panels favoured by Canada be scrapped. In the past, the majority of its decisions have been won by Canada. Ottawa has promised to walk away from the talks before it accepts a NAFTA without these panels. The first round of NAFTA talks held recently failed to bridge the differences between Canada, the USA and Mexico, and left little signs of any real compromises. Next month, Mexico will host the second round of talks from September 1-5. Talks will then move to Canada later in September and return to the United States in October.
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Help tell the great story of print and paper! Pick up your free Two Sides materials at PRINT 17

We are inviting PRINT 17 show attendees to check out our FREE materials and help themselves. Several of our member companies will be displaying these popular informational and promotional materials about paper and print from Two Sides: •Going Paperless May Not be Greener – 11 x 17 color infographic (printed by Ricoh USA) •Busting Myths About How Paper is Made – 11 x 17 color infographic (paper donated by Domtar and printed by Konica Minolta Business Solutions) •Myths and Facts brochure (paper and printing by Appleton Coated) •Two Sides printed newsletter – The Page – with the latest progress updates and accomplishments (printed by Konica Minolta Business Solutions) •Two Sides Membership Brochure – Learn more about Two Sides and our member benefits (printed by Canon Solutions America) Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Graphic Arts Advisors Announces Sale of CL Graphics to The Stevens Group

The Stevens Group, Elmhurst, Ill., a full-service print management and marketing support company, has acquired Crystal Lake, Ill.-based CL Graphics., a printing and cross-media marketing firm. CL Graphics’ operations will be integrated into The Stevens Group’s Elmhurst facility. Graphic Arts Advisors, LLC, a strategic financial advisory and consulting firm devoted exclusively to all sectors of the graphic communications industry, represented CL Graphics in the acquisition. Graphic Arts Advisors Director Mitch Evans served as lead advisor on this sale. CL Graphics’ commitment to providing the highest level of customer service aligns well with our culture, making this acquisition a very positive move for our company,” says John Brahm, president of The Stevens Group. “Our combined expertise in marketing and production will help further enrich the solutions we provide to clients. What’s more, CL Graphics’ extensive experience in direct mail will help broaden our already comprehensive mailing services.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Wall Street Journal Kills Print Edition in Hong Kong

Wall Street Journal's Hong Kong edition will no longer be distributed after October 7 as the paper is moving to a digital only strategy. This is part of the paper's continued effort to scale back its print operations in Europe and Asia as it shifts savings and focus to digital. Luckily for the Wall Street Journal, digital has been on the rise with 1.27 million daily digital subscribers which is more than print subscribers. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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L Brands Reports August 2017 Sales

L Brands, Inc. reported net sales of $842.1 million for the four weeks ended Aug. 26, 2017, a decrease of 1 percent, compared to net sales of $852.9 million for the four weeks ended Aug. 27, 2016. Comparable sales decreased 4 percent for the four weeks ended Aug. 26, 2017. For August, the exit of the swim and apparel categories had a negative impact of about 2 percentage points and 3 percentage points to total company and Victoria’s Secret comparable sales, respectively. The company reported net sales of $6.034 billion for the 30 weeks ended Aug. 26, 2017, a decrease of 5 percent compared to net sales of $6.356 billion for the 30 weeks ended Aug. 27, 2016. Comparable sales decreased 8 percent for the 30 weeks ended Aug. 26, 2017. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Bertelsmann Achieves First-Half Operating Group Profit Exceeding Half-Billion Euros for the First Time

Bertelsmann had a successful first half of 2017. The international media, services, and education company reports revenue growth, operating EBITDA at a high level, and a first-half operating Group result of over €500 million for the first time in its history. The Group achieved further progress in implementing its growth strategy, and among other major initiatives signed an agreement to increase its stake in the world's largest trade publishing group, Penguin Random House, to a strategic majority of 75 percent. Bertelsmann increased its Group revenues by 2.1 percent to €8.1 billion in the reporting period (H1 2016: €8.0 billion). Organic growth improved to 1.4 percent (H1 2016: 1.3 percent). RTL Group's digital TV businesses, the digital activities of Gruner + Jahr and BMG, Arvato SCM Solutions and the Bertelsmann Education Group in particular developed positively. Growth businesses grew by 9 percent to €2.7 billion (H1 2016: €2.3 billion). For the first time, they accounted for more than 30 percent of total sales. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Gasoline at Two-Year High as Harvey Shuts Largest U.S. Refinery

Gasoline hit a new a two-year high as investors assess the impact of refinery outages and restarts as Harvey moves away from the Houston area. With the storm sliding farther inland over Southwestern Louisiana, Motiva Enterprises LLC’s Port Arthur refinery, the country’s biggest, began a controlled shutdown. The disruption helped send motor fuel up 5.7 percent in New York, while oil slipped. An Energy Information Administration report showed U.S. crude stockpiles slid for a ninth week, though production -- often given more weight by traders -- continued to rise last week. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Costco Wholesale Corporation Reports August Sales Results

Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $9.8 billion for the month of August, the four weeks ended August 27, 2017, an increase of 10.0 percent from $8.9 billion during the similar period last year. For the first 52 weeks of its 53-week fiscal year ended August 27, 2017, the Company reported net sales of $123.5 billion, an increase of 6.4 percent from $116.1 billion during the 52-week 2016 fiscal year.
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Greif Resuming Operations in Houston Area

Greif is pleased to report that our steel, plastic, fibre drum and chemical filling services that were impacted by Hurricane Harvey are returning to operation. Operation may be limited depending on access to transportation, raw material, or other external services like export shipping Ports. We will keep the safety of our people as the top priority as we resume operations and meet our customers’ needs.
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International Paper Contributes $1 Million to Assist Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts

International Paper has pledged $1 million to support disaster relief efforts in the communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey and Tropical Storm Harvey. The International Paper Foundation will contribute $750,000 to the American Red Cross chapters in Texas and Louisiana, and will contribute $250,000 to Feeding America. International Paper has established strategic partnerships with these organizations to provide disaster relief in communities where IP employees live and work. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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FCC Lacks Basis To Roll Back Net Neutrality Rules, Silicon Valley Says

The Federal Communications Commission's proposed rollback of the net neutrality rules may not hold up in court, according to the Silicon Valley trade group Internet Association. "The record provides no basis for the Commission to reverse course from its 2015 Order," the Internet Association writes in comments filed Wednesday with the Federal Communications Commission. The organization -- which includes companies like Amazon, Google, eBay and Facebook as members -- adds that Supreme Court precedent requires the FCC to show it has good reasons to change its position. "The 2015 Order is working -- both the cloud economy and ISPs are doing well (and claims that investment by ISPs has been hurt by the 2015 Order are unsupported by evidence), and consumers are reaping the benefits of the virtuous circle of innovation across the internet economy," the organization writes. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Kohl’s giving financial aid to its hurricane-affected employees

Kohl's is reaching out to its associates as well as the general public impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The retailer said it will provide an estimated $1 million in financial support to its employees who have been significantly impacted by the storm. Kohl’s will continue to monitor the impact of the flooding throughout the region to evaluate the need for additional assistance. In addition, Kohl's announced a $500,000 cash donation toward hurricane relief and recovery efforts in Texas and across the Gulf Coast. Kohl’s is providing the donation to the American Red Cross, which is delivering emergency supplies and services in the impacted areas. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Hurricane Harvey Update

Right now all delivery has been suspended within the 3-Digit ZIP Codes of 770, 772, 773, 774, 775, 776, 777 and 778. As of this morning the USPS is planning to resume operations for Marketing / Standard Mail on Monday, September 11, 2017. All other Texas regions outside of the Greater Houston area are operational, but have been experiencing delays. As the events unfold and more information is available we will keep you updated as quickly as possible. Should you have any immediate questions please reach out to a member of your service team.
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New York Publishers Offer Help to Hurricane Harvey Victims

Scholastic, Hachette, Simon & Schuster and Penguin Random House are among the New York trade publishers responding to the humanitarian crisis in flood-ravaged Southeast Texas. Driven by a company-wide response, Scholastic made a $25,000 donation to the Red Cross to aid relief efforts in the area. Scholastic is also accepting requests for help from damaged schools via its Possible Fund, an initiative that donates books to schools in underserved communities (as well as those in areas affected by natural disasters). Additionally, the company's Scholastic Book Clubs is offering to help restock classroom libraries in areas harmed by floodwaters. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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TC Media sells its weekly Le Peuple Lotbinière

Transcontinental Inc.'s Media Sector, TC Media, announced the sale of its weekly Le Peuple Lotbinière, and its related web property, to MELIORMÉDIA Inc. Three employees are transferred to the purchaser. The Corporation would like to thank them for their professionalism and their dedication to the organization. Furthermore, TC Transcontinental also concluded a multi-year agreement for the printing and distribution of this publication. This transaction is part of the process for the sale of TC Media's local and regional newspapers in Quebec and Ontario, which was made public in a press release issued by Transcontinental Inc. on April 18.
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TC Media sells its Drummondville newspapers: L’Express – Wednesday Edition and L’Express Week-end

Transcontinental Inc.'s Media Sector, TC Media, announced the sale of its two Drummondville-based publications, L'Express – Wednesday Edition and L'Express Week-end, as well as their related web properties, to a Canadian corporation of which Mr. Dave Beaunoyer is part of. Mr. Beaunoyer is former general manager at TC Media for this region. The 19 employees of these newspapers are transferred to the acquirer, along with 4 employees from TC Media's production team. The Corporation would like to thank them for their professionalism and wishes them continued success. Furthermore, TC Transcontinental also concluded a multi-year agreement for the printing and distribution of these publications. This transaction is part of the process for the sale of TC Media's local and regional newspapers in Quebec and Ontario, which was made public in a press release issued by Transcontinental Inc. on April 18.
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The UPS Foundation Mobilizes Relief Network, Pledges More Than $1 Million

UPS announced more than a $1 million pledge, through The UPS Foundation in support of recovery efforts in Texas and Louisiana following the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey. The pledge is a combination of cash grants, in-kind transportation movements and technical expertise to provide urgent relief, as well as support for long-term needs ranging from rebuilding to personal and financial recovery assistance. “In this time of enormous need, it is critical to establish and support extensive networks of public-private partnerships to get aid to those who need it, as quickly as possible,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation and chief diversity and inclusion officer. “At the same time, setting aside funding and other resources for long-term recovery efforts is also important, and we are laying that groundwork as well.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Walmart and the Walmart Foundation Announce up to $20 Million Toward Hurricane Harvey Relief and Recovery

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have committed up to $20 million in support of relief efforts in response to the severe weather impacting the Gulf region. This includes $10 million focused on support of American Red Cross shelters and $2 million in support of the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund at the Greater Houston Community Foundation, which was announced today at a press briefing with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Our Texas family of customers and associates are experiencing devastating impact from this storm,” said Doug McMillon, President and CEO of Walmart. “We are on the ground to help our friends and neighbors in the Gulf region, and we’ll continue to be in the tough days, weeks, and months ahead.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Amazon Opens Latest NYC Store at 34th Street

Amazon Books opened its 11th store today, and its second in New York City. Located on 34th Street, the store sits sitting directly across the street from the Empire State Building. The new outlet has about 3,700 titles available for sale that range from bestsellers to "hidden gems" and are selected in part from reviews from Amazon customers. Books in 34th St. store, Amazon said, have received a total of 1.8 million 5-star reviews. There is also ample room given to Amazon's various digital devices including Kindle Echo, and Fire Tablet lines. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Chico’s FAS, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Results

For the thirteen weeks ended July 29, 2017, the Company reported net income of $22.7 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, compared to net income of $23.0 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the thirteen weeks ended July 30, 2016. Results for the second quarter of 2016 include the impact of restructuring and strategic charges of $10.3 million after-tax, or $0.08 per diluted share. For the twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017, the Company reported net income of $56.3 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, compared to net income of $54.1 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, for the twenty-six weeks ended July 30, 2016. Results for the twenty-six weeks ended July 30, 2016 include the impact of restructuring and strategic charges of $12.5 million after-tax, or $0.09 per diluted share. For the second quarter, net sales were $578.6 million compared to $635.7 million in last year's second quarter. This decrease of 9.0% primarily reflects a comparable sales decline of 8.4%, driven by lower average dollar sale and a decline in transaction count. For the second quarter, gross margin was $209.1 million, or 36.1% of net sales, compared to $240.8 million, or 37.9% of net sales, in last year's second quarter. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Gasoline Hits 2-Year High as Harvey Shuts Biggest U.S. Refinery

Gasoline rose to a two-year high as Tropical Storm Harvey hit the U.S. Gulf coast again after already knocking out a fifth of the nation’s refining capacity. Motiva Enterprises LLC’s Port Arthur refinery, the country’s biggest, was said to be shutting because of severe flooding. The disruption helped send motor fuel as much as 3.3 percent higher in New York, while the resulting reduction in demand from plants hit by the storm kept crude near a five-week low. After drenching Texas, Harvey regained strength over the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and crashed ashore again Wednesday in southwest Louisiana, according to the National Hurricane Center. “The market focus seems to be on the quantity of refinery capacity shut-ins and potential to hit oil demand,” said Giovanni Staunovo, an analyst at UBS Group AG in Zurich. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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VERANDA Celebrates 30 Years on Newsstands

They say that 60 is the new 50 and 40 is the new 30. I hesitate to write that 30 is the new 20, as I appreciate the intellectual maturity and emotional intelligence I gained during that 10-year window in early adulthood. With the September/October issue, our biggest issue in over a decade, as VERANDA celebrates its 30th anniversary, it’s safe to say that the magazine, too, has earned a certain level of circumspection and discernment, but with an unjaded, spirited vigor that helps us see the best the world has to offer. It’s our hope to bring gravitas and authority to the subject of living well, while still approaching the topic with childlike wonder and bridging the two viewpoints. There’s nothing worse than a blasé, I’ve-seen-it-all editor. An anniversary shouldn’t be about wallowing in the past. A healthy bit of reflection is good for anyone, but the occasion should be about taking stock and focusing on the future and new opportunities that await. This issue features a larger dynamic logo, Oprah’s private rose garden, as well as the very first person to appear on a VERANDA cover (and it’s actually three people: Atlanta homeowner Taylea Fowler and her two adorable twins). Fine jewelry coverage has been a hallmark of the magazine for 20 years, and we expanded it for this issue, featuring 17 pieces of the most beautiful pearl jewels in the marketplace. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Update on Mondi’s machine glazed speciality kraft paper machine investment at its Steti mill

Mondi has decided to postpone its €135 million investment in a new 90,000 tonne per annum machine glazed speciality kraft paper machine at its Steti mill in the Czech Republic. Commenting on the decision, Peter Oswald, Mondi CEO, said, “We have decided to postpone the machine glazed speciality kraft paper machine investment after a careful review of market conditions. While the proposed new machine remains an exciting investment opportunity, offering the lowest cost production of its sort in Europe, recently announced industry capacity expansions are expected to result in a market imbalance over the period in which the new machine was planned to come on line. There is no change to our €335 million investment in modernising the mill including rebuilding the fibre lines, de-bottlenecking the existing packaging paper machines and a new recovery boiler, which is progressing as planned.”
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High Anticipation as Foremost Graphics Invests in First-Ever KBA Rapida 106 at New Packaging Facility

There’s high anticipation for this upcoming fall season at Foremost Graphics in Michigan and it’s not due to college football. That’s when the 100-employee firm will move its fast-growing packaging division from an old multi-floor furniture factory to a newly remodeled state of the art 80,000 sq ft facility outside of Grand Rapids and install its first-ever KBA Rapida 106 41-inch sheetfed press. Along with the press, new ERP software and additional material handling equipment will provide improved workflows and shared resources with its existing corporate headquarters in the city of Walker, MI. “We’re at an exciting crossroads in our packaging business. We’ve invested millions of dollars in new equipment, including the KBA press, as well as in a new facility,” says Paul Kelly, president of Foremost Graphics. “Our goal is to facilitate the strong expansion in the packaging segment of our business, where we see equal growth opportunities in market segments including health and beauty, automotive and food processing for our national client base.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Innovative Ink From Xerox To Change Economics of Commercial Inkjet Printing

For many commercial printers, the cost savings derived from inkjet technology was offset by the expense of pre-or-post coating the paper or having to purchase specialty inkjet coated paper. With the introduction of the Xerox Trivor® 2400 High Fusion Inkjet Press, all that has changed. Xerox’s new High Fusion Ink produces high-quality results direct to offset coated paper on the Trivor 2400, removing the need for intermediate coating processes, primers or added hardware. The Trivor 2400 High Fusion Inkjet Press allows print providers to expand their inkjet media range to produce cost-effective, higher-value personalized jobs such as direct mail, catalogs, magazines and color books. High Fusion Ink is specially formulated to optimize printing and drying on offset coated media including matte, silk and glass stock from 60 to 250 gsm, up to 250 feet per minute. “The speed, great color range and ability to print on regular offset coated stock with no pre- or post-treatment makes the Trivor 2400 High Fusion Inkjet Press a breakthrough innovation in production inkjet,” said David Zwang, principal consultant, Zwang & Co. While High Fusion Ink is optimized for commodity offset coated papers, it also runs on a range of uncoated media, providing cost-effective redundancy for a versatile set of print jobs. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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EarthColor assets to be acquired by Mittera Group

EarthColor is excited to announce its assets are anticipated to be acquired by Mittera Group before the end of September. EarthColor is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey and operates plants in New York, New Jersey, Florida and Texas. EarthColor traces its roots to 1982 and has in excess of 450 employees. Mittera Group is a multi-platform print, marketing and media company with more than 700 professionals that provide quality printing, direct mail, design, digital and analytic solutions for clients throughout the U.S. It has been actively engaged in growing through acquisitions and organic growth for the past decade. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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CTI Introduces New Heat-Activated, Tamper-Evident Ink to Improve Detection

Chromatic Technologies Inc. (CTI) announced the introduction of Tamper Alert, a new irreversible, heat-activated ink technology to identify tamper evidence in labels and packaging for chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, electronics and other products targeted for theft and counterfeiting. CTI’s newest technology is a breakthrough in tamper-evidence providing customers with a tight activation window where the alert transitions from colorless to full color within a range of 10° C. Traditional irreversible technologies require a transition window between 30° to 50° C. (86° F. to 122° F.). This results in weak color activation and detection at lower temperatures. The new Tamper Alert technology is available in target activation temperatures of 50° C. (122° F.), 60° C. (140° F.), 70° C. (158° F.) and 80° C. (176° F.). Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Canon U.S.A. Unveils the Next Generation Monochrome Digital Presses of the Océ VarioPrint 6000 Series Platform

Addressing the market demands for increased productivity and extended media capabilities, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, unveils the Océ VarioPrint 6000 TITAN Series of sheetfed monochrome production presses at PRINT 17. Set to be available in the Americas in 2018, the TITAN Series builds off the success of the Océ VarioPrint 6000 Series featuring a range of technology innovations designed to help further enhance productivity, quality and media versatility, while maintaining best-in-class environmental performance.1 The technology has been developed to help print service providers who operate in the commercial, publishing and transactional segments to produce high-quality black and white prints at increased speeds while using a wider selection of media weights and formats. The TITAN Series presses build on the well-established Océ VarioPrint 6000 platform, which set a new bar for monochrome digital production when it was first launched a decade ago. Its unique Gemini Instant Duplex Technology is still unmatched to this day. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Best Buy Reports Better-than-Expected Second Quarter Results

Best Buy Co., Inc. announced results for the second quarter ended July 29, 2017 (“Q2 FY18”), as compared to the second quarter ended July 30, 2016 (“Q2 FY17”). The company reported GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.67, an increase of 20% from $0.56 in Q2 FY17. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.69, an increase of 21% from $0.57 in Q2 FY17. “We are pleased today to report strong top and bottom line growth for the second quarter of fiscal 2018,” said Hubert Joly, Best Buy chairman and CEO. “Our higher-than-expected comparable sales of 5.4% were driven by stronger consumer demand for technology products and by the strong execution of our strategy. Against a backdrop of continued healthy consumer confidence, we believe broad-based product innovation is resonating with consumers and driving higher spend. And, with our effective merchandising and marketing activities, combined with our expert advice and service available online, in-store and in-home – we are garnering an increasing share of those dollars.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Monthly Statistics of the European Graphic Papers Industry – June 2017

Total European shipments of graphic papers in June 2017 were UP 0.5% vs. June 2016 and are down 0.8% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint in June 2017 were down 1.7% vs. June 2016 and are down 3.8% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine in June 2017 were down 2.2% vs. June 2016 and are UP 2.2% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in June 2017 were UP 1.7% vs. June 2016 and are down 2.0% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical (improved and others) in June 2017 were UP 0.6% vs. June 2016 and are UP 1.4% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated woodfree in June 2017 were UP 5.7% vs. June 2016 and are UP 1.4% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree in June 2017 were down 1.1% vs. June 2016 and are down 0.8% year-to-date.
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Amazon Continues to Grow in Oregon with Salem Fulfillment Center

Amazon.com, Inc. announced plans to open its second Oregon fulfillment center in Salem, which will create more than 1,000 full-time positions. The company recently announced an upcoming fulfillment center in Troutdale and it currently operates a sortation center in Hillsboro and Prime Now hub in Portland. Additionally, there are more than 40,000 authors, sellers, and developers in Oregon growing their businesses and reaching new customers via Amazon products and services. “We are excited to continue growing in Oregon, creating 1,000 full-time jobs in Salem,” said Sanjay Shah, Amazon’s Vice President of North America Customer Fulfillment. “The support of Governor Brown, local leaders, and many others have been instrumental in our decision to locate the new fulfillment center in the state capital, and we are grateful for the support we’ve received to bring new jobs and investment to Oregon.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Gasoline, Crude Give Up Gains as Traders Assess Supply Position

Motor fuel prices fell 0.7 percent in New York, while crude futures slipped from the lowest closing level in five weeks. Valero Energy Corp. and Citgo Petroleum Corp. were said to be preparing to restart their refineries in Corpus Christi after Harvey moved through over the weekend. The storm, which made landfall on Friday, is poised to regain strength before crashing ashore again near the Texas-Louisiana border on Wednesday. “It is a question of the market reassessing the risk to refineries while also concluding we are past the peak season in terms of demand,” said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank A/S in Copenhagen. “We are seasonally heading towards a lower demand period which means that any signs of things beginning to normalize could have quite a negative impact on prices.” Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Lecta Publishes its Q2 2017 Results

For the second quarter ended 30 June 2017, Lecta had revenue of €360.7 million versus €357.6 million in the second quarter ended 30 June 2016, an increase of €3.1 million or +1%. This increase was attributable to: • Lower sales of CWF, Specialties and Purchased Products of €-4.6 million or -1%, from €341.6 million in 2Q2016 to €337.0 million in 2Q2017, resulting from lower sales volumes of 500 metric tons or -0%, 377,000 metric tons in 2Q2017 vs 377,500 metric tons in 2Q2016, and a decrease in average net sales price of -11€/t or -1%, 894€/t in 2Q2017 vs 905€/t in 2Q2016; and • Higher sales of energy of €+7.7 million or +48%, from €16.0 million in 2Q2016 to €23.7 million in 2Q2017, resulting from higher sales volumes of 10,000 MWh or +4%, 271,500 MWh in 2Q2017 vs 261,500 MWh in 2Q2016, and an increase in average sales price of +26€/MWh or +42%, 87€/MWh in 2Q2017 vs 61€/MWh in 2Q2016. The costs of raw materials and consumables used increased by €7.0 million, or +4%, from €182.5 million in 2Q2016 to €189.5 million in 2Q2017, and as a percentage of revenue they increased from 51.0% in 2Q2016 to 52.5% in 2Q2017. The absolute increase was mainly attributable to higher purchased volumes, and an increase in the average consumption prices of pulp of +38€/t and latex from 2Q2016 to 2Q2017. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Shelter Titles Step Out of the Home

When Domino Media Group CEO Nathan Coyle was talking to Domino about its open CEO position last year, he wanted to ensure he could produce growth if he joined. He flipped through Domino magazine for inspiration, noticing people on nearly every page. Despite Domino’s reputation as a shelter title, talking home design, Coyle realized, “it’s also about the cool person that lives there.” He saw that as the opportunity. Readers flock to the magazine in order to find tips and tricks for their home décor, but they also see the person living in the chic home. Coyle believed they want to know more about that person, whether it’s where she goes for brunch, where she works out or where she shops. It was an epiphany: Domino would “have license to extend into adjacent categories.” Coyle had his plan and he took the job. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Mount Fuji upside-down? And it’s PEFC-certified!

The final piece of the new Mount Fuji World Heritage Center in Japan is soon to be revealed. And the best part? The stunning structure is made from locally sourced wood from PEFC/SGEC-certified forests! Built with local Japanese cypress wood, the striking latticework structure resembles Mount Fuji upside-down. It is also the first construction project in Japan to achieve PEFC project certification. “We pioneered PEFC project certification to ensure that fantastic constructions such as this are able to take advantage of PEFC certification and demonstrate their sustainable credentials,” said Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International. PEFC project certification provides independent verification that the building was constructed with certified timber, without the need for all sub-contractors to be certified. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Postal Service Eyes January Rate Hikes

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is planning to raise virtually all rates a bit in January, apparently including a one-cent hike of the Forever Stamp, to 50 cents. And it’s also hoping it will soon get the power to implement larger rate hikes. The USPS will raise rates for both market-dominant mail (such as First Class and Marketing Mail) and competitive mail (such as Priority Mail) on Jan. 21, 2018, postal officials told mailing-industry representatives this week. A postal official indicated that rates would rise from 1% to 3% for most market-dominant products, according to attendees at a meeting of the Mailers Technical Advisory Committee. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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NORPAC Announces Price Increase for UGW Grades

NORPAC announced that they will raise the price of their Norbrite grades by $35.00 per short ton ($1.75/cwt) effective with shipments/invoices on or after October 1, 2017. Specific grades affected by this change in pricing include: Norbrite 65 ;Norbrite 70; Norbrite 75; Norbrite Plus; Norbrite Offset; Norbrite 92 Max; Norbrite Book Blue White; Norbrite Book Cream; Norbrite Hybrid
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Gasoline Surges, Oil Declines as Harvey Shutters Refineries

Gasoline surged to the highest in two years and oil declined as flooding from Tropical Storm Harvey inundated refining centers along the Texas coast, shutting more than 10 percent of U.S. fuel-making capacity. Motor fuel prices rose as much as 6.8 percent, while New York oil futures slipped 0.9 percent. Harvey, the strongest storm to hit the U.S. since 2004, made landfall as a hurricane Friday, flooding cities and shutting plants able to process some 2.26 million barrels of oil a day. Pipelines were closed, potentially stranding crude in West Texas and interrupting gasoline supply. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Gap Unveils Largest Flagship Store in Greater China on Shanghai’s West Nanjing Road

Gap Inc. today announced the opening of its new Gap flagship store on West Nanjing Road in Shanghai, its biggest flagship to date in the Greater China region. Featuring Gap’s full apparel collections and latest store design elements, the new flagship store underscores the importance of the China market for the company and its commitment to better serving Chinese customers. Additionally, the company will move its China retail headquarters team into the office space being created above the store in 2018. Located at No. 863 West Nanjing Road in Shanghai’s busiest commercial district, the 1908 square-meter and two-story flagship store is Gap’s largest in Greater China. The store showcases Gap’s contemporary store concept developed jointly by the company’s local and global store design teams and takes design inspiration both from the brand’s early heritage as well as new modern elements. Click Read More below for more of the story.
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Embossing Plus, MGI and Konica Minolta Announce First U.S. JETvarnish 3D Evolution Industry Service

Premier Minnesota trade finisher, Embossing Plus, has announced the launch of the first JETvarnish 3D Evolution (Evo) print enhancement services program in the United States. The MGI JETvarnish Evolution is the world’s first commercially available digital print enhancement press for application sizes up to 29x47”/75x120 cm (with substrate weights up to 800 GSM). Konica Minolta, MGI’s Global Partner, sold and deployed the equipment with a total solutions support package and an EngageIT Xmedia business development campaign to help create market awareness of the firm’s new business line. Embossing Plus was founded in 1987 by Leon Spencer and has since grown to provide national print campaign support programs that include the entire spectrum of post-press services. Click Read More below for additional detail.
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Domtar Inaugurates Its Second Generating Unit at Windsor Mill

Domtar is proud to inaugurate its second generating unit with a power output of 18 MW at its Windsor (Quebec) Mill. The start-up of its second generating unit, built for $36 million, will improve the energy efficiency of the mill produced from renewable resources while reducing production costs. "With the addition of its second generating unit, the Windsor Mill will become one of the major producers of renewable energy in the Eastern Townships. Our total production capacity will reach nearly 50 MW and will allow us to feed the equivalent of the annual energy consumption of 12,800 single-family dwellings. By using forest biomass as a fuel to produce green energy, Domtar demonstrates its commitment to innovation and sustainable development," declared Éric Ashby, General Manager of Domtar's Windsor Mill.
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