Wausau Paper Begins Brainerd Lay Offs

Wausau Paper lays off a third of workforce at Brainerd, MN, mill as its exits printing/writing [From the web]: Nearly eight years to the day after Wausau Paper began production at the Brainerd mill, it announced the end of its print paper production here - meaning layoffs for 48 hourly and seven salary employees. The mill currently employs 137 hourly staff and 34 salary workers.
Wausau Paper reports this layoff is the impact as the company leaves the last vestiges of its print business. 

AF&PA Reports October Paperboard Ships

American Forest & Paper Association Releases October 2012 Paperboard Statistics Report: (USA) The American Forest & Paper Association released its October 2012 U.S. Paperboard Statistics Report today. Total boxboard production increased by 2.6 percent compared to October 2011 and increased 0.5 percent from last month. Unbleached Kraft Boxboard production decreased over the same month last year and decreased compared to last month. Total Solid Bleached Boxboard & Liner production increased compared to October 2011 and increased compared to last month. The production of Recycled Boxboard increased compared to October 2011 and increased when compared to last month.

AF&PA Reports October Containerboard Ships

American Forest & Paper Association Releases October 2012 Containerboard Statistics Report: (USA) The American Forest & Paper Association released its October 2012 U. S. Containerboard Statistics Report today. Containerboard production rose 2.6 percent over September 2012 and 0.5 percent compared to the same month last year. The month-over-month average daily production decreased 0.7 percent. The containerboard operating rate for October 2012 gained 0.1 points over September 2012, increasing from 96 percent to 96.1 percent.

Boise Cascade Files for Proposed IPO

Boise Cascade, L.L.C. Files Registration Statement For Proposed Initial Public Offering: (USA) Boise Cascade, L.L.C. (to be renamed Boise Cascade Company) ("Boise Cascade”) announced today that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) relating to the proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the offering have not yet been determined.

Finnish/Russian Trade Relations Remain Strained

http://www.forest.fi/smyforest/foresteng.nsf/allbyid/8E0AE6B469B4468FC2257AB80037DB30?OpenDocument

The Finnish-Russian forest summit held in Helsinki last Wednesday brought no solution to the problems still plaguing the imports of softwood from and exports of paper and paperboard to Russia.
Whether the day-long discussions and negotiations will bring other concrete results, remains to be seen. What became clear was that both countries want investments from each other.
In theory, Russia’s membership in the World Trade Organization makes the country more predictable for investors, as the membership requires Russia to comply with the rules and regulations of international trade.

USPS Cash on Hand Equals 1 Week's Pay

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-11-16/postal-service-drain-leaves-week-s-pay-as-paltry-cushion

The U.S. Postal Service has cash on hand equal to about a week’s pay for its 525,000 employees, in the best cash-flow environment it expects to have this fiscal year.
That shows how close to the edge the mail and package agency is, as it appeals to Congress to allow major cost cuts it can’t implement on its own.
“It’s a pretty dire situation,” said Kevin Sterling, a BB&T Capital Markets analyst who follows freight-delivery companies including FedEx Corp. and United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) that compete with the Postal Service.

Condé Nast Raising Rate Base of 4 Titles

http://www.wwd.com/media-news/media-features/cond-nasts-digital-push-6488218?gnewsid=1db75d1587edc411182ceba149e51dc1 
Condé Nast chief executive officer Charles Townsend at a recent interview with the Paley Center vaguely alluded to an upcoming rate-base hike in four of the publisher’s magazines. “That’s an incredible move,” he said.
At the time, only Wired had revealed the circulation increase. Condé Nast has now confirmed the others: The New Yorker, Details and Allure, which is promising advertisers it will now reach 1.1 million readers.
“Our print business has been growing faster than anyone’s. But this is four brands that are raising their rate base,” Condé president Bob Sauerberg said. “It is a bold thing to do.”

21% BPA Memebrs' Circ is Digital

http://www.pubexec.com/article/digital-now-makes-up-more-than-21-bpa-members-total-circulation/1

Digital copies now make up 21.4% of total circulation for BPA-audited publications, according to a recent analysis of audience data for the six-month period ended June 30, 2012.
A total of 532 BPA print titles reported digital circulation for the June 2012 cycle, a 6.4% increase compared to the December 2011 period, and continuing an upward trend as more print publishers move subscribers over to the digital side. As of this analysis, nearly one third (32.4%) of all magazine titles (b-to-b and consumer) are reporting digital circulation on their BPA statements and reports.

Quad/Graphics & Vertis Deal Moves Forward

http://www.piworld.com/article/quad-graphics-acquisition-vertis-printing-business-passes-antitrust-review/1

Quad/Graphics Inc. and Vertis Holdings jointly announced that the waiting period for antitrust review in relation to their proposed business combination expired at midnight on Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, with no action taken by the Federal Trade Commission. The companies can now move forward with their proposed agreement, pending the receipt of bankruptcy court approval and the completion of necessary integration plans.