The ISM Report on Business reported that economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in December for the 29th consecutive month. Two of the 18 sectors reporting growth for the month were Printing & Allied Activities and Paper. The overall economy grew for the 31st consecutive month.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Survey: U.S. Will Never Go Paperless
America Will Never Go Paperless According to Majority of Survey Respondents: Since electronic devices play such a big part in our daily lives, Poll Position wanted to know if Americans think the United States could ever be a paperless society.
In a national scientific telephone survey, Poll Position found that 56 percent of Americans said they don’t think the country would ever be a paperless society.
The 18-29 age group voiced the strongest opinion, with 63 percent saying the United States would never be a paperless society vs. 23 percent who said it could become a paperless society.
In a national scientific telephone survey, Poll Position found that 56 percent of Americans said they don’t think the country would ever be a paperless society.
The 18-29 age group voiced the strongest opinion, with 63 percent saying the United States would never be a paperless society vs. 23 percent who said it could become a paperless society.
Media M&A Up 9 % in 2011
Overall Media M&A Up 9 Percent in 2011: The media M&A market saw its third year in a row of growth, closing out 2011 with a 9 percent increase in total value over 2010, according to a year-end report by The Jordan, Edmiston Group.
There were 896 deals done, says the investment bank, 15 more than 2010 and more even than in the blockbuster year of 2007. Consumer magazines also had a busy year with 32 transactions valued at $3.2 billion, a huge jump over 2010's $214 million deal value.
B-to-b media was comparatively quiet, recording only 14 deals and $50 million in value.
There were 896 deals done, says the investment bank, 15 more than 2010 and more even than in the blockbuster year of 2007. Consumer magazines also had a busy year with 32 transactions valued at $3.2 billion, a huge jump over 2010's $214 million deal value.
B-to-b media was comparatively quiet, recording only 14 deals and $50 million in value.
Hearst; Aggressive Digital, Print Growth in 2012
Hearst’s David Carey Calls for Aggressive Digital, Print Growth in 2012:
Hearst Magazines predicts successful ‘12 despite still-shaky economy. President David Carey addressed the past year and what’s next for the publisher in a letter to employees sent out this morning. According to Carey, Hearst’s aggressive growth in 2011 (including the acquisition of Lagardere and Hachette Fillappacci; the launch of HGTV Magazine; the debut of brand supplement Marie Claire @Work; and purchases of Red Aril and PayDQ) will continue in 2012.
Though digital may be considered the sexier playing field in the publishing industry, Hearst’s print portfolio will not be neglected in 2012. Aside from the forthcoming semiannual Cosmopolitan Latina, Harper’s Bazaar print presence will launch a revamped look; an increased trim size will debut in February.
Hearst Magazines predicts successful ‘12 despite still-shaky economy. President David Carey addressed the past year and what’s next for the publisher in a letter to employees sent out this morning. According to Carey, Hearst’s aggressive growth in 2011 (including the acquisition of Lagardere and Hachette Fillappacci; the launch of HGTV Magazine; the debut of brand supplement Marie Claire @Work; and purchases of Red Aril and PayDQ) will continue in 2012.
Though digital may be considered the sexier playing field in the publishing industry, Hearst’s print portfolio will not be neglected in 2012. Aside from the forthcoming semiannual Cosmopolitan Latina, Harper’s Bazaar print presence will launch a revamped look; an increased trim size will debut in February.
Ziff Davis Buys Toolbox.com
Ziff Davis Buys Toolbox.com: Ziff Davis has acquired Scottsdale, AZ-based Toolbox.com, a knowledge-sharing network of online communities in the IT, HR and finance verticals. The deal is ZD's fourth in the last year.
Terms were not released, but former owners Corporate Executive Board bought the network, which launched in 1998, in July 2007 for $58.9 million.
Terms were not released, but former owners Corporate Executive Board bought the network, which launched in 1998, in July 2007 for $58.9 million.
Fibrek Files Circular Rejecting Bid
Fibrek files Director’s Circular rejecting the AbitibiBowater insider bid:
Fibrek Inc. announced today that its Board of Directors filed its Directors’ Circular on December 30, 2011 recommending that Fibrek shareholders REJECT the AbitibiBowater Inc. (doing business as Resolute Forest Products) unsolicited insider bid made for all issued and outstanding common shares of the company. The Board also recommended that any shareholders who have tendered their common shares WITHDRAW them immediately.
The Board has thoroughly reviewed Abitibi’s Insider Bid to determine the course of action that it believes is in the best interests of Fibrek’s shareholders and other stakeholders. Its formal recommendation and the reasons supporting such recommendation are outlined in its Directors’ Circular filed on December 30, 2011, as contemplated by securities laws.
Fibrek Inc. announced today that its Board of Directors filed its Directors’ Circular on December 30, 2011 recommending that Fibrek shareholders REJECT the AbitibiBowater Inc. (doing business as Resolute Forest Products) unsolicited insider bid made for all issued and outstanding common shares of the company. The Board also recommended that any shareholders who have tendered their common shares WITHDRAW them immediately.
The Board has thoroughly reviewed Abitibi’s Insider Bid to determine the course of action that it believes is in the best interests of Fibrek’s shareholders and other stakeholders. Its formal recommendation and the reasons supporting such recommendation are outlined in its Directors’ Circular filed on December 30, 2011, as contemplated by securities laws.
PPI; Five Companies to Watch
Five companies to watch: As the New Year kicks off, what better place to start than to highlight the companies we at PPI think will be the ones the watch over the coming 12 months.
UPM
UPM is big in graphic papers in Europe, but it is also making huge progress elsewhere and away from the commodities based end of the paper industry. And this is why the Finnish giant appears on list of Five to Watch for 2012. UPM has garnered a reputation as being one of the most innovative in the global industry and it continues to pursue its "Biofore" strategy which it devised in recent years, which of which it says : "Bio stands for future orientation, sustainable solutions and good environmental performance. Fore stands for forest and the company's position at the forefront of development".
International Paper
Often, we look at smaller companies, those flying under the radar so to speak, to fill out this list. It's a given that the larger companies are almost always in the spotlight. However, this year PPI's long-time Number One in the Top 100 listings (PPI, September 2011) merits special attention and not only because its CEO, John Faraci, also was named Number One in the RISI Top 50 Power List (PPI, July 2011). And, Paul Herbert, CEO of Ilim Group, in which IP holds a 50% stake, was recently named Global CEO of the Year at the recent PPI Awards gala held in November.
Top 10 USPS Stories
Top 10 Stories of 2011 | USPS OIG:
The staff at the Office of Inspector General has pulled together the list below of the top 10 postal stories for 2011.
10. Another Year, Another Loss – Even with a deferral of the retiree health payment, the Postal Service loses $5.1 billion in 2011, although $3.7 billion is changes to workers’ compensation expenses.
9. To Exigent or Not to Exigent – After federal appeals court remands the exigency case back to the PR, the Postal Service is still undecided on whether it will pursue higher than CPI rates.
8. Pension Funding in the Black – OPM projects a $13.1 billion surplus in the Postal Service’s FERS and CSRS pension accounts for 2011.
7. DVDs by Mail Not Dead Yet – Netflix is forced to backpedal after customers rail against the company’s plan to unbundle DVDs by mail.
6. GAO Just Says No Overpayment – The GAO weighs in on the debate about the Postal Service’s $75 billion CSRS overpayment, stating there was no evidence of accounting errors and returning the funds is ultimately a policy choice that impacts the federal budget.
5. Digital Media to the Rescue – Ironically, blogs such as Postal Observer and Save the Post Office are driving the debate in the area of hard copy postal issues.
4. Is Overnight Over? – The Postal Service proposes changing delivery service standards, including eliminating overnight delivery for First-Class Mail, to capture savings from network consolidation.
3. Plethora of Bills, Paucity of Law – An unprecedented interest in postal reform yields an abundance of legislative proposals, yet still no new law.
2. Cut, Cut, Cut – The Postal Service announces a provocative plan to break labor contracts, withdraw from federal health and retirement plans, and seek workforce reductions of 220,000 through layoffs and attrition.
1. Something’s Got to Give Round 1 – The Postal Service’s aggressive plans to close about 250 processing plants and more than 3,600 post offices hits strong opposition leading to a temporary moratorium on closings until May 15, 2012.
The staff at the Office of Inspector General has pulled together the list below of the top 10 postal stories for 2011.
10. Another Year, Another Loss – Even with a deferral of the retiree health payment, the Postal Service loses $5.1 billion in 2011, although $3.7 billion is changes to workers’ compensation expenses.
9. To Exigent or Not to Exigent – After federal appeals court remands the exigency case back to the PR, the Postal Service is still undecided on whether it will pursue higher than CPI rates.
8. Pension Funding in the Black – OPM projects a $13.1 billion surplus in the Postal Service’s FERS and CSRS pension accounts for 2011.
7. DVDs by Mail Not Dead Yet – Netflix is forced to backpedal after customers rail against the company’s plan to unbundle DVDs by mail.
6. GAO Just Says No Overpayment – The GAO weighs in on the debate about the Postal Service’s $75 billion CSRS overpayment, stating there was no evidence of accounting errors and returning the funds is ultimately a policy choice that impacts the federal budget.
5. Digital Media to the Rescue – Ironically, blogs such as Postal Observer and Save the Post Office are driving the debate in the area of hard copy postal issues.
4. Is Overnight Over? – The Postal Service proposes changing delivery service standards, including eliminating overnight delivery for First-Class Mail, to capture savings from network consolidation.
3. Plethora of Bills, Paucity of Law – An unprecedented interest in postal reform yields an abundance of legislative proposals, yet still no new law.
2. Cut, Cut, Cut – The Postal Service announces a provocative plan to break labor contracts, withdraw from federal health and retirement plans, and seek workforce reductions of 220,000 through layoffs and attrition.
1. Something’s Got to Give Round 1 – The Postal Service’s aggressive plans to close about 250 processing plants and more than 3,600 post offices hits strong opposition leading to a temporary moratorium on closings until May 15, 2012.
Kodak Names President
Kodak Names Laura Quatela President Alongside Faraci: Eastman Kodak Company announced that its board of directors has elected Laura Quatela as President, effective January 1, 2012.
Quatela, 54, who is currently the company’s General Counsel, will serve alongside Philip Faraci, who continues as President, a position he has held since September 2007. Both report to Kodak Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Antonio M. Perez.
Quatela, 54, who is currently the company’s General Counsel, will serve alongside Philip Faraci, who continues as President, a position he has held since September 2007. Both report to Kodak Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Antonio M. Perez.
St. Marys Paper in Receivership
St. Marys Paper in receivership:
On December 30, 2011 at 9am, St. Marys Paper of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario fell into receivership after failing to provide proof of sufficient insurance coverage to the court.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has appointed Ernst & Young Inc. as receiver for the assets of St. Marys Paper.
On December 30, 2011 at 9am, St. Marys Paper of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario fell into receivership after failing to provide proof of sufficient insurance coverage to the court.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has appointed Ernst & Young Inc. as receiver for the assets of St. Marys Paper.
Winning Bid for NewPage Post Hawkwsbury Due This Week
Successful bidder for NewPage Port Hawkesbury to be made public:
Ernst & Young is met with the four remaining bidders for the NewPage Port Hawkesbury mill and is expected to publicly announce this week the identify of the successful bidder.
Two bidders, who both want to operate the mill to some degree, are known: Paper Excellence and Pacific West Commercial Corporation (associated with Stern Partners Inc.).
Ernst & Young is met with the four remaining bidders for the NewPage Port Hawkesbury mill and is expected to publicly announce this week the identify of the successful bidder.
Two bidders, who both want to operate the mill to some degree, are known: Paper Excellence and Pacific West Commercial Corporation (associated with Stern Partners Inc.).
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