Resolute Announces Ratification of Collective Agreement at Seven Canadian Pulp and Paper Mills

The Fedrigoni Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of special papers, self-adhesive materials, and RFID solutions, announces the acquisition of certain assets of Mohawk Fine Papers, Inc., the company it entered into an industrial partnership with last September 2022 to strengthen the distribution of specialty fine papers in the North American market. The transaction was finalized through a NewCo incorporated by Fedrigoni to acquire Mohawk's assets in a sale process initiated by a financial institution, following a period of significant financial distress that affected the U.S.-based company in the past months. The transaction entirely cleared the new company from existing indebtedness, allowing to preserve the majority of existing jobs, industrial activities and customer relationships. Founded in 1931, Mohawk is a family-owned company that produces some of the best-known specialty papers for designers, brands, and printers and that - like Fedrigoni - has strongly innovated in the field of digital printing and sustainability. The sharing of core values such as solid know-how and a focus on innovation and environmental impact reduction led to the acquisition of this firm, which becomes part of the Fedrigoni Special Papers division and represents an important piece in the group's overseas growth strategy.

Third Quarter Highlights *Net sales of $190.7 million increased 18 percent versus the second quarter with strong rebounds in each segment. *Filtration revenues increased 9 percent versus the prior year and contributed to a $3 million year-on-year increase in Technical Products operating income. *Consolidated operating income of $13.9 million compared with $19.0 million in the prior year. Excluding adjusting items of $2.0 million in 2020 and $2.5 million in 2019, operating income increased $15.4 million versus the second quarter, but declined from $21.5 million in 2019 to $15.9 million in 2020. *Cash generated from operations of $36.8 million increased from $33.4 million in the prior year as a result of actions in 2020 to carefully manage working capital and reduce spending. *Liquidity of $182 million as of September 30, 2020 increased from $159 million as of June 30, 2020.

Appleton Coated today said that it has filed a voluntary state Chapter 128 petition for receivership to allow the company’s operations to continue under the supervision of a court-appointed receiver named by the Outagamie County Circuit Court. Company officials said the petition and appointment of a receiver will allow the company to continue operations under the direction of the receiver, who will lead a process aimed at selling the company’s assets to a buyer who will continue operations. “Despite the best efforts of our employees and ownership group and the introduction of new products, this step is the best option at this point,” said Doug Osterberg, Appleton Coated’s president and chief executive officer. “While the company has made significant progress in diversifying its product offerings and entering new markets, the overall business climate is very challenging, and operating under a state court-appointed receiver is the best route to transition the business to sustained profitability.” He said the company’s bank has agreed to fund operations during the receivership and that the business will continue to operate during the transition. He added the company will be able to pay salary and wages and fund benefits for current employees. Click Read More below for additional detail.