The Navigator Company to increase paper prices in Europe by 7 to 8%

Total European shipments of graphic papers in March 2022 were down 11.1% vs. March 2021 and are down 7.0% year-to-date. Total European shipments of newsprint in March 2022 were down 11.1% vs. March 2021 and are down 4.5% year-to-date. Total European shipments of sc-magazine in March 2022 were down 12.0% vs. March 2021 and are down 7.2% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated mechanical reels in March 2022 were down 18.8% vs. March 2021 and are down 15.7% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated mechanical (improved & others) in March 2022 were down 11.9% vs. March 2021 and are down 8.6% year-to-date. Total European shipments of coated woodfree in March 2022 were down 4.6% vs. March 2021 and are UP 3.2% year-to-date. Total European shipments of uncoated woodfree in March 2022 were down 10.0% vs. March 2021 and are down 9.6% year-to-date.

Antti Jääskeläinen, Executive Vice President, UPM Raflatac, will be leaving UPM to assume the role of President and CEO in the Finnish logistics and distribution company Posti Group Oyj. He will continue with his duties in UPM until the end of July 2024. Antti joined UPM in 2014 and was appointed to UPM’s Group Executive Team in 2016 with responsibility for UPM Raflatac Business Area. During recent months Antti has also held the interim responsibility for UPM Communication Papers Business Area. “I want to thank all my colleagues in UPM for the great journey together in creating a future beyond fossils and building the global profitable growth of UPM Raflatac. UPM is a great company with great people, and I am convinced that UPM will continue to build a strong future. I wish everybody the best of success,” says Antti Jääskeläinen.

Label and Graphic Materials: Reported sales increased 18% to $1.3 billion. Compared to prior year, sales were up 15% ex. currency (12% vs. 2019) and 14% on an organic basis (11% vs. 2019). Label and Packaging Materials sales were up approximately 15% from prior year on an organic basis, with strong growth in both the high value product categories and the base business. Sales increased by approximately 11% organically in the combined Graphics and Reflective Solutions businesses. Reported operating margin decreased 140 basis points to 13.7%. Retail Branding and Information Solutions: Reported sales increased 25% to $531 million. Compared to prior year, sales were up 22% ex. currency (29% vs. 2019) and 14% on an organic basis (9% vs. 2019), reflecting strong growth in both the high value product categories and the base business. Intelligent Labels was up approximately 15% organically (40% vs. 2019). Reported operating margin was flat to prior year at 11.0%. The Vestcom acquisition closed on August 31, 2021. Industrial and Healthcare Materials: Reported sales increased 24% to $195 million. Compared to prior year, sales were up 20% ex. currency (11% vs. 2019) and 15% on an organic basis (6% vs. 2019). Reported operating margin increased 170 basis points to 9.6%.