North American Coated Shipments Up

As reported by the Pulp & Paper Products Council, North American May shipments of coated mechanical paper rose 3.4% as compared to the same month last year. Demand jumped 5.4% and imports increased 19.3%. The operating rate was 88%. Coated woodfree May shipments rose 3.7%, demand grew 2.3% and imports were up 6.3%. The operating rate was 88%. Supercalendered paper shipments fell -22.4% in May, demand declined by -23.3% and imports decreased -23.7%. The operating rate was 92%.

AF&PA Reports Increased Shipments of Coated Paper

Increase in Shipments of Coated Printing-Writing Paper Reverses Trend: According to the American Forest & Paper Assn.’s May 2012 “Printing-Writing Paper Report,” total U.S. printing-writing paper shipments increased 1% in May compared to May 2011.

Shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) papers increased the most among the four printing-writing grades year-over-year. The increase is the largest since September 2010.
Shipments of coated mechanical (CM) papers also increased the largest year-over-year since September 2010.

Toshiba Admits Mistake, Cancels Day

http://blogs.whattheythink.com/going-green/2012/06/toshiba-cancels-no-print-day/

In a letter to its members, Printing Industry of America (PIA) president Michael Makin announced: “Toshiba has agreed to abort its National No Print Day!”

Makin’s letter went on to describe his conversation with Toshiba USA senior vice president of marketing, services and solutions, Bill Melo, regarding Toshiba’s “ill-conceived initiative”.

Third Pulp Producer Lowers Price

Canfor Pulp informed customers in the USA today that its northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) pulp price would decrease $20/tonne, effective July 1 until further notice.

Canfor Pulp's $20/tonne decline would bring its NBSK list price to $880/tonne, industry contacts said.

Hokuetsu Negotiating for Stake in Daio

Japanese paper and board manufacturer Hokuetsu Kishu has been reported to be negotiating for a 20% stake in the operations of Daio Paper. Both companies declined to comment on reports in the Nikkei that Hokuetsu Kishu was looking to acquire the stake from the Ikawa family.

Valpak Owner Cox Media Adds Savings.com

Cox Target Media Acquires Savings.com as Complement to Valpak: Cox Target Media has completed its acquisition of Savings.com, including its sister site, London-based Savoo.co.uk as a wholly owned subsidiary. Savings.com joins Valpak as a Cox Target Media company.

SmartMoney Stops Print Edition

SmartMoney Shuts Down Print Mag, Expands Digital: SmartMoney, published by Dow Jones, is making a full transition to digital, ceasing publication of the print magazine. Twenty-five staffers will be cut as a result of the magazine shutting down. 

The Economist Reviews Digital Strategy

A Peek at The Economist's Digital Strategy:
The Economist Group this week released its annual financials, ending March 31, and the numbers looked good, with revenue and profits up (4 percent and 6 percent), as well as circulation. But while the overall circulation of The Economist is at 1.6 million, says the company, only 123,000 subscribe digitally.

80% of U.S. Companies on Facebook

Survey finds 80% of U.S. companies on Facebook: Eighty percent of U.S. companies have a presence on Facebook and 48% have a LinkedIn presence, according to a survey by InSites Consulting. Also, 45% of U.S. companies have a presence on Twitter and 31% use YouTube, according to the survey.