October US Commercial Printing Shipments Increase (Economics & Research):
October 2012 US commercial printing shipments were up +$251 million, or +3.6% versus 2011, the first positive October since 2010. “On an inflation-adjusted basis, shipments were up +$100 million, or +1.4%,” said Dr. Joe Webb, Director of the WhatTheyThink Economics & Research Center. The latest report of shipments has been released by Dr. Webb and Strategies for Management, Inc. Dr. Webb also reported that the contraction in September’s shipments were revised down by another $49 million. “September was a difficult month. Shipments were down -3.9% on a current dollar basis and down -5.8% after adjusting for inflation compared to 2011,” he explained. Profits adjusted for inflation improved on a short-term basis. For Q3-2012 were $1.45 billion compared to $1.29 billion in Q2. Dr. Webb believes that despite the long-term downward trend in shipments, profits are no longer being dragged down by poor-performing print businesses. “In a bad economy, being a poor performing business means you have little access to capital, and almost no freedom of action, so it is easy to get pushed out of the marketplace.”
Friday, December 14, 2012
Domtar Permanently Closing Pulp Machine
Domtar permanently closing ‘A-Line’ pulp machine at Kamloops, BC mill:
Domtar Corporation is permanently shutting down 1 pulp machine at its Kamloops, British Columbia facility. This decision will result in a permanent curtailment of Domtar’s annual pulp production by approximately 120,000 air-dried metric tons of sawdust softwood pulp, 125 employees are affected. The pulp machine, known at the mill as the “A-Line” is expected to be closed by the end of March 2013. “Prevailing economic conditions in the global pulp markets and the deteriorated competitiveness of this small pulp manufacturing line, coupled with unforeseen boiler repair costs, have forced us to rationalize this pulp production capacity. We will focus our energy and resources on optimizing the larger, more competitive, ‘B’ pulp manufacturing line which will continue to operate,” said Mike Edwards, Senior Vice-President, Pulp and Paper Manufacturing.
Domtar Corporation is permanently shutting down 1 pulp machine at its Kamloops, British Columbia facility. This decision will result in a permanent curtailment of Domtar’s annual pulp production by approximately 120,000 air-dried metric tons of sawdust softwood pulp, 125 employees are affected. The pulp machine, known at the mill as the “A-Line” is expected to be closed by the end of March 2013. “Prevailing economic conditions in the global pulp markets and the deteriorated competitiveness of this small pulp manufacturing line, coupled with unforeseen boiler repair costs, have forced us to rationalize this pulp production capacity. We will focus our energy and resources on optimizing the larger, more competitive, ‘B’ pulp manufacturing line which will continue to operate,” said Mike Edwards, Senior Vice-President, Pulp and Paper Manufacturing.
Kruger Shutting Down News PM For 15 Days
Corner Brook paper machine No. 2 shutting down for 15 days:
One of the two paper machines at Kruger‘s Corner Brook Pulp and Paper mill will be shut down for 15 days. No. 2 paper machine will be shut down from December 23 until January 7. The curtailment in production will result in a 4,000 metric tonne reduction in newsprint output, 110 employees will be affected. The temporary curtailment has been blamed on difficult newsprint market conditions.
One of the two paper machines at Kruger‘s Corner Brook Pulp and Paper mill will be shut down for 15 days. No. 2 paper machine will be shut down from December 23 until January 7. The curtailment in production will result in a 4,000 metric tonne reduction in newsprint output, 110 employees will be affected. The temporary curtailment has been blamed on difficult newsprint market conditions.
IP To Build & Bring New Jobs To Memphis
International Paper to build $90 million office tower, bring 101 new jobs to Memphis:
The details are finally clear: International Paper Co. is planning to build a $90.2 million, 235,000-square-foot tower at 6430 Poplar Ave. in East Memphis. The company is seeking a 15-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes incentive for the project, which will add 101 employees to its local roster. Overall, International Paper plans to invest $361 million, but most of that would not be subject to any tax incentive. Construction on the new tower is expected to begin next year and be completed in 2015. The company announced Wednesday afternoon that it was applying for a tax abatement to build the new tower.
The details are finally clear: International Paper Co. is planning to build a $90.2 million, 235,000-square-foot tower at 6430 Poplar Ave. in East Memphis. The company is seeking a 15-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes incentive for the project, which will add 101 employees to its local roster. Overall, International Paper plans to invest $361 million, but most of that would not be subject to any tax incentive. Construction on the new tower is expected to begin next year and be completed in 2015. The company announced Wednesday afternoon that it was applying for a tax abatement to build the new tower.
Catalyst Elk Falls Mill Site Hit With Enviro Order
Developer purchasing Catalyst Paper’s Elk Falls mill site nailed with environmental contamination remediation order in Alberta:
Harold Jahn, the developer who is purchasing the mill site of Catalyst Paper‘s former Elk Falls Pulp mill in Campbell River, British Columbia has been served a contamination remediation order in Alberta.There has been groundwater contamination at the site of a closed chemical plant that Jahn’s company, Heartland Industrial Park Inc., owns. The company has been ordered to install a groundwater recovery system, develop a decommission plan, and reclaim the plant. The Government of Alberta said they have been trying to get this issue resolved for 2 years without any success.
Harold Jahn, the developer who is purchasing the mill site of Catalyst Paper‘s former Elk Falls Pulp mill in Campbell River, British Columbia has been served a contamination remediation order in Alberta.There has been groundwater contamination at the site of a closed chemical plant that Jahn’s company, Heartland Industrial Park Inc., owns. The company has been ordered to install a groundwater recovery system, develop a decommission plan, and reclaim the plant. The Government of Alberta said they have been trying to get this issue resolved for 2 years without any success.
Christmas Spirit with Print Record Q4
Print gets in Christmas spirit with record fourth quarter:
While trading conditions have clearly been challenging over the past 12 months, a surge in activity since the Olympics has led many to report a strong fourth quarter. The Lettershop Group mailed more than 22m products in November, a record performance for the Leeds-based direct mail printer that helped counterbalanced the slow summer months."In terms of volume, October and November into December has been the busiest it has ever been," said commercial director Dave McGolpin. "The market is still very competitive and there is always a question about volumes but we have made some good progress this year, which looks to continue in 2013." Similarly, Inc Direct sales director Andy Bailey said the firm has been flat out in the run up to Christmas, marking a reversal to the typically quiet year-end. This has resulted in a strong start to the company's 2012/13 financial year, following a record performance in the year to 30 June 2012.
While trading conditions have clearly been challenging over the past 12 months, a surge in activity since the Olympics has led many to report a strong fourth quarter. The Lettershop Group mailed more than 22m products in November, a record performance for the Leeds-based direct mail printer that helped counterbalanced the slow summer months."In terms of volume, October and November into December has been the busiest it has ever been," said commercial director Dave McGolpin. "The market is still very competitive and there is always a question about volumes but we have made some good progress this year, which looks to continue in 2013." Similarly, Inc Direct sales director Andy Bailey said the firm has been flat out in the run up to Christmas, marking a reversal to the typically quiet year-end. This has resulted in a strong start to the company's 2012/13 financial year, following a record performance in the year to 30 June 2012.
Meredith BHG Pushes Into E-Commerce
http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/meredith-pushes-e-commerce-145858
Better Homes and Gardens, which for decades has guided people in furnishing their homes, is now making it easier for those readers to do so without leaving them. In its first major e-commerce initiative, the Meredith flagship has quietly stocked a channel at BHG.com/shop with products in dozens of categories from bedroom sets to salt and pepper shakers. Meredith plans to promote the new channel in earnest next year and follow it with similar channels from Parents and Divine Caroline, Meredith’s online community for women. Meredith is one of the larger magazine publishing houses, and its product-heavy periodicals seem ready-made for e-commerce. As these magazine efforts go, BHG’s seems pretty rudimentary. Built with help from ShopNation, an e-commerce company Meredith acquired in May, the channel has no virtual shopping cart where people can park their items while they shop. In fact, shoppers have to click through to each retailer's website to make a purchase, potentially depriving BHG.com of traffic. Also, the channel isn't easily accessible through BHG's mobile site, although Meredith is working on that, along with an iPhone/iPad app just for shopping.
Better Homes and Gardens, which for decades has guided people in furnishing their homes, is now making it easier for those readers to do so without leaving them. In its first major e-commerce initiative, the Meredith flagship has quietly stocked a channel at BHG.com/shop with products in dozens of categories from bedroom sets to salt and pepper shakers. Meredith plans to promote the new channel in earnest next year and follow it with similar channels from Parents and Divine Caroline, Meredith’s online community for women. Meredith is one of the larger magazine publishing houses, and its product-heavy periodicals seem ready-made for e-commerce. As these magazine efforts go, BHG’s seems pretty rudimentary. Built with help from ShopNation, an e-commerce company Meredith acquired in May, the channel has no virtual shopping cart where people can park their items while they shop. In fact, shoppers have to click through to each retailer's website to make a purchase, potentially depriving BHG.com of traffic. Also, the channel isn't easily accessible through BHG's mobile site, although Meredith is working on that, along with an iPhone/iPad app just for shopping.
'Bloom Off Rose' for Time Inc.CEO
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/bloom_is_off_the_rose_for_time_inc_gXNjs5Xj36TyLJOcFLDIEM
The honeymoon appears to be over for Time Inc. CEO Laura Lang.
As employees await a new round of cuts that seems all but certain to shake the nation’s largest publisher in mid-January, morale is plunging. The frustration at Time Inc. seems to have risen even more because of the high expectations that accompanied industry outsider Lang’s hiring in November 2011 from digital ad agency Digitas, where she was CEO. There’s grumbling in the ranks about what Time Inc. veterans feel is a lack of communication from on high about where the company is headed. Lang’s ascension to the top spot — she did not officially move in until January 2012 — came, insiders said, after a year in which many initiatives stalled. During that period, Time Inc. was run by a triumvirate of top executives: Editor-In-Chief John Huey, Chief Legal Officer Maurice Edelson and Chief Financial Officer Howard Averill. They took over after Jack Griffin was driven from the corner office in February 2011 by an internal revolt. Meredith Corp. vet Griffin lasted just five months on the job at Time Inc.
The honeymoon appears to be over for Time Inc. CEO Laura Lang.
As employees await a new round of cuts that seems all but certain to shake the nation’s largest publisher in mid-January, morale is plunging. The frustration at Time Inc. seems to have risen even more because of the high expectations that accompanied industry outsider Lang’s hiring in November 2011 from digital ad agency Digitas, where she was CEO. There’s grumbling in the ranks about what Time Inc. veterans feel is a lack of communication from on high about where the company is headed. Lang’s ascension to the top spot — she did not officially move in until January 2012 — came, insiders said, after a year in which many initiatives stalled. During that period, Time Inc. was run by a triumvirate of top executives: Editor-In-Chief John Huey, Chief Legal Officer Maurice Edelson and Chief Financial Officer Howard Averill. They took over after Jack Griffin was driven from the corner office in February 2011 by an internal revolt. Meredith Corp. vet Griffin lasted just five months on the job at Time Inc.
The Saturday Evening Post Returns to Philadelphia
http://www.pubexec.com/article/the-saturday-evening-post-return-philly-announces-fiction-contest-winners/1
In a surprise move, The Saturday Evening Post, the iconic magazine which traces its roots to Benjamin Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette, has announced its return to Philadelphia after 42 years in Indianapolis. The magazine's Philadelphia office will be the base of operations for editorial director and associate publisher Steve Slon, a managing editor, a reporter and Web editors. Business operations will remain in Indianapolis. "The Post is moving back because Philadelphia is our historic home," Slon said. "It feels right. The move also places us closer to New York City, the publishing center of the universe, and its talent pool." Slon said the move is planned for the second quarter of 2013, between May and June.
In a surprise move, The Saturday Evening Post, the iconic magazine which traces its roots to Benjamin Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette, has announced its return to Philadelphia after 42 years in Indianapolis. The magazine's Philadelphia office will be the base of operations for editorial director and associate publisher Steve Slon, a managing editor, a reporter and Web editors. Business operations will remain in Indianapolis. "The Post is moving back because Philadelphia is our historic home," Slon said. "It feels right. The move also places us closer to New York City, the publishing center of the universe, and its talent pool." Slon said the move is planned for the second quarter of 2013, between May and June.
Condé Nast Promotes Jason Miles
http://www.wwd.com/media-news/fashion-memopad/cond-nast-promotes-jason-miles-6538980
Jason Miles has been promoted to director of planning for Condé Nast International, effective January 2013, the publisher said Thursday. Miles had been the publisher’s deputy planning director since 2008. He replaces James Woolhouse, who continues to serve as president of Condé Nast Asia-Pacific and a vice president and member of the publisher's executive committee. Miles will continue to report to Woolhouse. “Jason Miles is the go-to individual on a wide range of planning matters, from launching new projects to financial forecasts to legal. He has earned respect and appreciation throughout the organization,” said Jonathan Newhouse, chairman and chief executive of Condé Nast International.
Jason Miles has been promoted to director of planning for Condé Nast International, effective January 2013, the publisher said Thursday. Miles had been the publisher’s deputy planning director since 2008. He replaces James Woolhouse, who continues to serve as president of Condé Nast Asia-Pacific and a vice president and member of the publisher's executive committee. Miles will continue to report to Woolhouse. “Jason Miles is the go-to individual on a wide range of planning matters, from launching new projects to financial forecasts to legal. He has earned respect and appreciation throughout the organization,” said Jonathan Newhouse, chairman and chief executive of Condé Nast International.
News Int'l Denies Times Merger Rumour
News International denies Times merger rumour:
Speculation has arisen since The Times editor James Harding resigned on Wednesday (12 December) after five years in his post. In his resignation speech to editorial staff Harding said: "It has been made clear to me that News Corporation would like to appoint a new editor of the times. I have therefore agreed to stand down." Harding will terminate his contract at the end of the year and his replacement will be decided by the national independent directors of The Times. UK media has speculated that Harding's departure would pave the way toward merging the two titles to become a single, seven-day newspaper. This would mean News International reneging on its governmental commitment, set when the news giant bought the titles in 1981, to keep The Times and The Sunday Times separate. The pledge was agreed in order to preserve the editorial independence of the titles under competition law.
Speculation has arisen since The Times editor James Harding resigned on Wednesday (12 December) after five years in his post. In his resignation speech to editorial staff Harding said: "It has been made clear to me that News Corporation would like to appoint a new editor of the times. I have therefore agreed to stand down." Harding will terminate his contract at the end of the year and his replacement will be decided by the national independent directors of The Times. UK media has speculated that Harding's departure would pave the way toward merging the two titles to become a single, seven-day newspaper. This would mean News International reneging on its governmental commitment, set when the news giant bought the titles in 1981, to keep The Times and The Sunday Times separate. The pledge was agreed in order to preserve the editorial independence of the titles under competition law.
German Mag Paper Market
http://www.euwid-paper.com/news/singlenews/Artikel/price-negotiations-on-the-german-magazine-paper-market-are-well-advanced-in-december.html
In Germany, there has been some movement in the negotiations
for magazine paper. It appears that not all paper producers are insisting on
the proposed price hike. Forecasts of falling
demand in 2013 are intensifying the already strong competition among paper
mills, who are concerned about their capacity utilisation. EUWID respondents
reported that suppliers were therefore demonstrating flexibility on certain
points in contract talks, which has lead to the signing of contracts in several
cases.
Paper Mill Pension Outcomes Very Different
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/241480-paper-mill-pension-outcomes-very-different?utm_source=website&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=most_read
All Tony MacDonald knows is the deal he signed up for: Make paper at Point Tupper for 32 years. Make a decent paycheque. Make Stora Enso North America a bunch of money. Retire with dignity.
The 67-year-old former mill worker now knows over the past year his promised pension has been cut $700 a month. Including Canada Pension Plan payments, he has to survive on $1,200 a month. “I was just coming to terms with that, thinking that I’ve got to accept it and deal with it,” MacDonald said Tuesday. “Then I picked up the paper this morning and it was a kick in the arse with a frozen boot if I ever got one.” What MacDonald read in the newspaper Tuesday is that the province will cover the nearly $100-million unfunded liability of the former Bowater Mersey pulp and paper plant in Brooklyn as part of a deal that will see the province buy the company for a dollar from Resolute Forest Products and take ownership of its 220,000 hectares of forest land. Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 pensioners from the Point Tupper plant will see their pensions cut from 31 to 42 per cent because the previous mill owners, Stora Enso North America and NewPage, didn’t pay their share. That allowed an unfunded liability of $200 million to accumulate from the plant’s four pension plans.
All Tony MacDonald knows is the deal he signed up for: Make paper at Point Tupper for 32 years. Make a decent paycheque. Make Stora Enso North America a bunch of money. Retire with dignity.
The 67-year-old former mill worker now knows over the past year his promised pension has been cut $700 a month. Including Canada Pension Plan payments, he has to survive on $1,200 a month. “I was just coming to terms with that, thinking that I’ve got to accept it and deal with it,” MacDonald said Tuesday. “Then I picked up the paper this morning and it was a kick in the arse with a frozen boot if I ever got one.” What MacDonald read in the newspaper Tuesday is that the province will cover the nearly $100-million unfunded liability of the former Bowater Mersey pulp and paper plant in Brooklyn as part of a deal that will see the province buy the company for a dollar from Resolute Forest Products and take ownership of its 220,000 hectares of forest land. Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 pensioners from the Point Tupper plant will see their pensions cut from 31 to 42 per cent because the previous mill owners, Stora Enso North America and NewPage, didn’t pay their share. That allowed an unfunded liability of $200 million to accumulate from the plant’s four pension plans.
More Tablet Owners Prefer Yearly Mag Subs
More Tablet Owners Prefer Yearly Magazine Subscriptions:
At MPA Digital’s Social Media Summit Thursday, Ethan Grey, vice president of digital with the association, revealed results from its latest study slated to be released in January. The data, which was conducted with Gfk MRI and surveyed 796 adults aged 18-plus who owned a tablet, shows that in general, tablet owners prefer to buy yearly subscriptions to digital magazines. About 56 percent of respondents prefer to purchase a one-year subscription, 31 percent prefer to buy monthly subscriptions, 11 percent normally buy half-year subscriptions and just 2 percent prefer multi-year subscriptions.
When asked about the type of digital magazine content they prefer, more than half—55 percent—say they read current and back issues. The remaining 45 percent prefer to only read the most current issues.
At MPA Digital’s Social Media Summit Thursday, Ethan Grey, vice president of digital with the association, revealed results from its latest study slated to be released in January. The data, which was conducted with Gfk MRI and surveyed 796 adults aged 18-plus who owned a tablet, shows that in general, tablet owners prefer to buy yearly subscriptions to digital magazines. About 56 percent of respondents prefer to purchase a one-year subscription, 31 percent prefer to buy monthly subscriptions, 11 percent normally buy half-year subscriptions and just 2 percent prefer multi-year subscriptions.
When asked about the type of digital magazine content they prefer, more than half—55 percent—say they read current and back issues. The remaining 45 percent prefer to only read the most current issues.
Webinar-The Future & Promise Of Print Media
Media Life webinar Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. Eastern.
Newspapers and magazines are not dying, as is so widely
believed. Far from it. They are working mightily to reinvent themselves for the
digital age, and they could well pull it off. But to do so they
must come up with new business models that shift revenue from advertisers to
readers. They must also exploit new opportunities, in the case of newspapers by
expanding into local marketing services and events. Here to explain the
coming revolution in print media is Ken Doctor, a widely followed news industry
analyst and the author of the book "Newsonomics: Twelve New Trends That
Will Shape the News You Get." http://www.medialifemagazine.com/webinar/
USPS Taps Pitney Bowes Automated Tech
USPS Taps Pitney Bowes Automated Services Technology:
Pitney Bowes technology was selected by the U.S. Postal Service to begin providing support and maintenance of its network of postal meters. A 6-year contract valued at up to $32 million for meters and meter supplies will enable the Postal Service to nationally standardize its meter needs using a single leading edge design.
Pitney Bowes technology was selected by the U.S. Postal Service to begin providing support and maintenance of its network of postal meters. A 6-year contract valued at up to $32 million for meters and meter supplies will enable the Postal Service to nationally standardize its meter needs using a single leading edge design.
Swiss Invest In Pulp Plant In Russia
Swiss businessman to invest $70 million in new pulp plant in Dagestan
A group of Swiss entrepreneurs, headed by Alan Broglie, has signed an agreement with Russian TVS and Tehrezerv companies for the construction of a plant for deep wood processing and pulp production in the Russian Dagestan region. The preliminary cost of the project is 2.44 billion rubles (USD$70 million). The majority of future production of the new plant will be sold in Switzerland, Germany and the domestic Russian market.
A group of Swiss entrepreneurs, headed by Alan Broglie, has signed an agreement with Russian TVS and Tehrezerv companies for the construction of a plant for deep wood processing and pulp production in the Russian Dagestan region. The preliminary cost of the project is 2.44 billion rubles (USD$70 million). The majority of future production of the new plant will be sold in Switzerland, Germany and the domestic Russian market.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)