IP Again Tops Paper/Forest Co's On Fortune 500

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2012/industries/11/
IP again led the forest and paper products industry on the 2012 Fortune 500 list of top American companies. IP was ranked at #111 this year,down from #105 position in 2011. They were followed by Weyerhaeuser at #374 and Domtar at #436.

IPDA,MPA Launch Campaign Promoting Mags

http://www.magazine.org/association/press/mpa_press_releases/rebus-2012.aspx
The International Periodical Distributors Association (IPDA) and MPA-The Association of Magazine Media have launched a collaborative initiative focused on promoting, informing and engaging the retail community about the value and vitality of the magazine category in the retail marketplace. 

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Consolidated Graphics Reports Declines

Consolidated Graphics Reports Declines in Revenue and Income: Consolidated Graphics announced financial results for its fourth quarter and year ended March 31, 2012. Its revenue for the quarter totaled $250.6 million, a $7.6 million decrease (2.9 percent) compared to the prior-year quarter.

Catalyst Moves Creditor Meetings To May 18th

http://foresttalk.com/index.php/2012/05/09/catalyst-paper-pushes-creditor-meetings-back-another-3-days/
Catalyst Paper has announced a three-day extension for the meetings of its secured and unsecured creditors to consider the plan of arrangement under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act. The meetings, previously scheduled for May 15, 2012, will now be held on May 18, 2012.

Norway Central Bank's 5% Stake in Stora

Norway central bank takes 5 pct stake in Stora:
Norway's central bank raised its stake in Finnish paper maker Stora Enso to over 5 percent, according to a regulatory filing on Wednesday.

AF&PA Testimony In Favor Of Illegal Logging

http://www.afandpa.org/pressreleases.aspx?id=2606

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman testified today on Capitol Hill on the implementation and enforcement of the 2008 Lacey Act amendments, citing industry concerns over the proposed RELIEF Act (H.R. 3210) and FOCUS Act (H.R. 4171).

USPS To Cut Hours

http://money.cnn.com/2012/05/09/news/economy/postal_service/index.htm?hpt=hp_t2

The U.S. Postal Service is backing off a previous plan to close thousands of post offices, and will instead cut hours at 13,000 rural facilities in an effort to save $500 million a year.

U.S. Direct Marketing Spend By Medium

U.S. Direct Marketing Spend By Medium: From the DMA (Email, Direct, Internet, Social, and Mobile)

More Details-Nova Scotia/Port Hawkesbury Mill

More details of the deal with Nova Scotia Power for the Port Hawkesbury paper mill:
Nova Scotia Power, has released more details of the tentative power agreement between Pacific West Commercial Corporation (PWCC) and Nova Scotia Power regarding the Port Hawkesbury mill.

RDA Q1 Revenue Drops 14.8%

RDA Q1 Revenue Drops 14.8 Percent to $241.8 Million:
Reader’s Digest Association endured a tough first quarter of 2011, with revenue for its North American sector tumbling 21 percent from $130.9 million in the first quarter of 2011 to $103.4 million.

UPM Launches Online Paper Catalogue

http://www.upm.com/EN/MEDIA/All-news/Pages/UPM%27s-printed-Paper-Catalogue-complemented-with-modern-Online-and-Mobile-Catalog-001-Mon-07-May-2012-15-10.aspx
UPM’s service offering for its paper customers has been extended by launching a modern, easy-to-use Online Paper Catalogue.The new Online Paper Catalogue allows approaching UPM papers from different angles.   ntent

Fashion Mags See Newstand Sales Down

http://www.adweek.com/news/press/fashion-magazines-see-little-newsstand-love-march-140105

Back in January, when most of the major fashion and beauty titles reported ad page increases for their key March issues, the industry was looking forward to a sunny spring. Unfortunately, everything isn’t coming up roses: March newsstand sales aren’t matching up to the magazines’ strong ad numbers, with many big titles declining more than 20 percent versus a year earlier.

Paper-Based Packaging Recycling In The EU

Paper-based packaging recycling at 78%
Paper is the most recycled packaging material in the EU with a recycling rate of 78% based on 2010 figures.

Quad Expands Work For OfficeMax

Quad/Graphics expands work for OfficeMax:
Quad said the new contract includes significant direct mail volume that will add related freight logistics and in-store signage business.

Resolute Owns 63.3% of Fibrek

 http://www.paperage.com/2012news/05_04_2012resolute_fibrek.html

 AbitibiBowater Inc.,doing business as Resolute Forest Products, now holds approximately 63.3% of the currently outstanding shares.

 

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Another Euro CWF Increase-Arjowiggins

http://www.paperage.com/2012news/05_07_2012arjowiggins_graphic_price.html
Arjowiggins Graphic to Hike Price for CWF Papers by 6-8%, due to continuing increases in costs of raw materials, energy and transport, it will implement a price increase for its coated woodfree (CWF) papers in an effort to offset the rising input costs.

More Euro CWF Increases

Joining Burgo Group, 2 more European manufacturers announced an increase in CWF papers. Torraspapel in Spain announced a 5-8% increase effective with deliveries as of June 4th and Papierfabrick Scheufelen in Germany, 7-8% as of deliveries June 1st.

Nova Scotia Gov Delays NewPage Pension Plan

Nova Scotia Government to delay NewPage pension windup:
The Nova Scotia Government has listened to the pensioners of NewPage Port Hawkesbury and has indicated they will table legislation to delay the windup of NewPage’s underfunded pension plans.

IP Workforce Shifts But Stays Unchanged

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303990604577367881972648906

International Paper Co.’s workforce total hardly changed in the past two years, but it shifted more to overseas, according to a recent survey of 35 U.S.-based multinational companies.  

Time Named Mag of The Year

Time Nabs Magazine of the Year:  
The National Magazine Award winners were announced and honored Thursday night and while there were some familiar faces taking home the elephant statues, or "ellies," there were no runaway winners by specific magazine title.

Direct Mail Still Catches The Eye

http://printinthemix.com/fastfacts/show/558 Marketing research firm Ask Your Target Market (AYTM) recently undertook a survey examining the effectiveness of direct mail -- Are customers more likely to look at their mail than they are at emails? Make purchases based on offers received?

B-to-B CEO Survey-E-Media Growth

2012 FOLIO: B-to-B CEO Survey:
We’re a couple years out from the recessionary period of 2008-2010 and you can still see its impact as b-to-b publishers are very slowly seeing modest growth in revenues and profits.

Resolute Now Controls Majority of Fibrek

Resolute now has majority control of Fibrek:
AbitibiBowater Inc., doing business as Resolute Forest Products, has taken up and accepted for payment 1,633,800 additional shares of Fibrek Inc. deposited to its offer as of the close of business today.

UPM Continuing To Discuss Sale Of Stracel Mill

UPM continues in advanced discussions with a packaging producer for the sale of its Stracel mill in France.The Stracel mill has capacity on its one machine of 280,000 tonnes/yr of lightweight coated and machine-finished coated paper.

Norske Skog Q1 Earning Down

http://www.norskeskog.com/default.aspx?ID=2019&feed=-N-105-PR-201205-1608238

Norske Skog Q1 2012 results gross operating earnings down 24% from 4Q 2011 to NOK 380 million.

Quad Renews OfficeMax Business

Quad/Graphics Renews OfficeMax Retail Insert and Catalog Work: Quad/Graphics Inc. has renewed its exclusive printing business with OfficeMax Inc. and added significant direct mail volume for the leading office supply retailer in a new multiyear agreement.

March US Commercial Printing Shipments Down

March 2012 US Commercial Printing Shipments $7.145 Billion, Down -4.2% Compared to March 2011 (Economics & Research Center):

China's Paper Industry Five-Year Plan

 

http://www.paperage.com/2012news/Paper_Contract_with_China_APP.pdf

The role of China's paper industry as a new source of economic growth under the country's 12th Five-Year Plan (FYP) for paper industry is highlighted in APP.

China To Shut Down P&B Capacity

In 2012, China plans to close outdated pulp and paper equipment, with a combined capacity of 9.7 million tonnes/yr across the country.

RRD Reports Higher Earnings

RR Donnelley Reports Higher Earnings on Slight Sales Decline:
R.R. Donnelley & Sons reported first-quarter net earnings attributable to common shareholders of $37.4 million on net sales of $2.5 billion compared to net earnings of $33.9 million on net sales of $2.6 billion.

Sequana, Appleton Coated Owner, Q1 EBITDA

 http://wood.lesprom.com/news/51796/
Sequana publishes its unaudited results for the 1Q 2012. Consolidated sales for the 1Q 2012 came in at Euro 984 million, versus Euro 1016 million in the 1Q 2011, a decline of  3.2%. 

GP UFS Increase

 Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP (GP) has notified its customers that it will raise prices on its cut-size products by US$2.00 per cwt, effective with shipments on or after June 1. IP and Domtar previously announced increases.

Burgo Increases Coated Price

 Burgo Group announces 7% price increase for CWF effective from the 1st of June. The price increase will apply to worldwide deliveries of Coated Woodfree both in sheets and reels. Rising production costs particularlyelated to raw materials have made the price rise necessary.

72.7% US RCP To China

72.7% of US recovered paper exports in February were sold to China, even though overall exports for the month declined vs January's total, according to figures from the US Dept of Commerce, Bureau of Census. China purchased 1.2 million tonnes in February, with more than half being old corrugated containers at 640,397 tonnes. The other half was mostly a mix of old newspapers and mixed papers. India followed with 123,369 tonnes and exports to Canada were quite low at 59,286.

 

Time Q1 Ad Revenues Down

Time Inc. Subscription, Advertising Revenues Down in Q1 2012: Time Inc. reports a loss in both advertising and subscription revenue in the first quarter of 2012. Ad revenue decreased five percent (equivalent to $19 million), with subscription revenue down two percent (valued at $6 million).

The American Prospect Looks To Avoid Closure

The American Prospect Seeks $500,000 to Avoid Closure: The American Prospect is looking to raise half a million dollars this month, and gain $700,000 worth of pledged support for the new fiscal year starting in July, in order to avoid suspending publication, cutting back frequency or complete closure.

Resolute Forest Products Reports Q1 Results

Resolute Forest Products reports net income of $23 million in first quarter, 2012:
AbitibiBowater, doing business as Resolute Forest Products, is reporting a net income of $23 million in its first quarter of 2012, on sales of $1.1 billion.
These results can be compared to net income of $30 million on sales of $1.2 billion in the first quarter of 2011.

BHK Pulp Producers Raise Prices

International Paper and Resolute Forest Products separately informed customers that they're increasing prices on their grades of bleached hardwood kraft (BHK) pulp by $30/tonne, effective May. Alberta-Pacific and Sappi Fine Paper North America  had previously announced their May 1 NBHK prices would rise by $30/tonne, to $785/tonne (Alpac's aspen NBHK) and $790/tonne (Sappi's aspen and mixed NBHK) in the USA. At least two major Brazilian producers, Fibria and Suzano, separately announced $40/tonne price increases on bleached eucalyptus kraft (BEK) in the USA, effective May 1.

Gap Names Old Navy President

http://www.retailonlineintegration.com/aggregatedcontent/gap-inc-names-global-brand-president-old-navy

Completing a global search that began in February, Gap Inc. today announced that Stefan Larsson, a veteran of nearly 15 years with the successful fashion retailer H&M, will become the first global brand president for Old Navy.  Larsson will join the company by October.

Taunton Press Names President

Taunton Press Promotes EVP/CFO Tim Rahr to President: Enthusiast consumer publisher Taunton Press taps Tim Rahr as its new president. Rahr, who has served as executive vice president and chief financial officer with Taunton since 2005, succeeds Sue Roman. These changes are effective immediately.

Amazon/Texas Settle Sales Tax Dispute

Amazon settles sales tax controversy with Texas: Amazon.com, at the center of an ongoing battle over the collection of sales tax by out-of-state online retailers, has struck a deal with Texas, agreeing to increase its in-state presence and collect sales tax on items sold to Texas residents.

USPS: Mail Still Best for Driving ROI

USPS adopts new products and services to stay solvent: USPS Postal Service Postmaster General and CEO Patrick Donahoe's set out his vision for the agency's future in light of the congressional gridlock, including new products such as incentivizing businesses to include 2D codes in direct mail flyers...and increasing its package business.
Donahoe emphasized the continued importance of mail as the best channel for strengthening brand relations and driving ROI. “People actually read what they get in the mail,” he said. 

Manufacturing Grows for 33 Months

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303916904577377810884607948.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in April for the 33rd consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 35th consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®.

Newspapers Report Gains

Newspapers report digital-print circulation gains: New York—The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and newspapers overall reported increases in total print-plus-digital circulation, with gains influenced by a new Audit Bureau of Circulations reporting standard that combines free or reduced-cost digital subscriptions with paid print subscriptions.

Another Step in Post Hawkesbury Mill Process

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/article/81891--tentative-energy-deal-reached-for-idled-paper-mill-in-cape-breton

The Vancouver-based company planning to buy the idle NewPage Port Hawkesbury paper mill in Cape Breton has reached a tentative energy agreement with the province's electric utility company, a key step in its bid to get the mill operating again.

Pacific West Commercial Corp. announced late Friday it had submitted the seven-year agreement for approval to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.

Q1 Chinese Pulp & RCP Imports Up

China's total pulp imports went up 27.3% in March compared to the same month last year, according to data from China Custom. For the first quarter, pulp imports rose 15.4%. BSK imports increased 29% for the month and 17% for the quarter.

Chinese recovered paper imports were up 12.7% in March compared to the same month in 2011 and 10.1% in Q1 2012/Q1 2011.

Mercer Withdraws Fibrek Offer

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/mercer-abandons-battle-for-fibrek/article2417768/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Home&utm_content=2417768

Fibrek Inc. confirmed today that Mercer International Inc. has announced that it has unilaterally terminated its support agreement with Fibrek with respect to its offer to acquire all of the common shares of Fibrek.

U.S. Ad Spending Forecast Up 4.1%

http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120430/ADVERTISING14/304309993/warc-says-u-s-ad-spending-to-increase-4-1-this-year Warc says U.S. ad spending to increase 4.1% this year

U.S. ad spending will increase 4.1% this year over last year, according to marketing intelligence company Warc.

Next year, U.S. ad spending will slow to 3.3% growth, “when there will be no quadrennial boost from the presidential elections and the Olympics,” Warc said in a statement.

First CMR Released by Magazine

http://www.btobonline.com/article/20120430/MEDIABUSINESS16/304309988/the-economist-is-first-weekly-to-release-consolidated-media-report

The Economist is the first weekly magazine to release a Consolidated Media Report from the Audit Bureau of Circulations. The CMR is designed to verify a media brand's reach on separate platforms.

House & Senate Postal Bills Differ

Postal Service Bill Faces Roadblocks: It’s looking increasingly unlikely that the House and Senate will agree on a plan to save the Postal Service by May 15, when a moratorium on closing postal processing plants expires.

Q1 European Coated Demand Down, SC Up

http://euro-graph.antidot.be/who_we_are-7283.html

EURO-GRAPH has reported that European demand for coated mechanical paper in the first quarter fell -4.6% s compared to the same period last year. Exports jumped 14.6%. Coated woodfree demand declined -3.1% for Q1 and exports decreased -8.1%. Supercalendered paper demand rose 8.4%. SC exports fell -11%.

IP Reports Q1 Results

http://www.paperage.com/2012news/04_27_2012international_paper_earnings.html

International Paper today reported first-quarter 2012 net earnings attributable to common shareholders totaling $188 million compared with net earnings of $281 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 and $354 million ($0.81 per share) in the first quarter of 2011.

Katahdin's Millinocket to be Industrial Park

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/approved/0001/11/30/cate-street-plans-industrial-park-millinocket-pape/1186902

Cate Street Capital, buyer of the two Katahdin region paper mills in September announced plans Wednesday to turn the Millinocket site into an industrial park.

Catalyst Paper Delays Meeting with Creditors

Catalyst Paper adjusts date for meeting of its creditors:
Catalyst Paper has announced that the date for the meetings of its secured and unsecured creditors to consider the plan of arrangement under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act has been changed from May 2, 2012 to May 15, 2012.

min Tracked Ad Pages Down 5.8%

http://www.minonline.com/news/20371.html

Of the 150 mags we track at min, 62 showed gains in May (27 of which were up by double-digit percentages) and 88 plummeted.  Cumulative 2012-versus-2011 differentials were -5.90% (May) and -5.81% (year-to-date).

 

Hearst Launches Cosmopolitan for Latinas

http://www.pubexec.com/article/hearst-magazines-introduces-cosmopolitan-latinas/1

Hearst Magazines, one of the world's largest publishers of monthly magazines, today announced that the first stand-alone issue of Cosmopolitan for Latinas, a new women's lifestyle publication targeted at English-speaking Latinas, will hit newsstands nationwide on May 1.

GDP Grows 2.2% in Q1

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304811304577369640809969900.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories

Real gross domestic product -- the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States -- increased at an annual rate of 2.2 percent in the first quarter of 2012.

Valassis Announces Q1 Results

Valassis Announces Q1 Results: Revenues Decreased by 5.2%: Valassis today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012. First-quarter 2012 revenues were $518.6 million, a decrease of 5.2% from $547.0 million in the prior year quarter.

UPM Q1 Sales Up 10%

http://www.upm.com/EN/MEDIA/All-news/Pages/default.aspx

Sales for Q1 2012 were EUR 2,591 million, 10% higher than the EUR 2,356 million in Q1 2011. Sales increased due to the Myllykoski acquisition in Paper in August 2011, as well as higher delivery volumes in other UPM businesses.

Second Uncoated Mill Announces Increase

Leading North American uncoated freesheet paper producer Domtar informed customers it will raise prices on all white business papers by $2/cwt ($40/ton) effective May 29.

Domtar Reports Q1 Net Earnings

Domtar reports net earnings of $28 million in first quarter, 2012:
Domtar Corp. is reporting net earnings of $28 million in their first quarter of 2012, compared to net earnings of $61 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Sales for the first quarter of 2012 amounted to $1.4 billion.

Graphic Packaging Reports Q1 Earnings

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=103159&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1687718&highlight=
Graphic Packaging Holding Company,  a leading provider of packaging solutions to food, beverage and other consumer products companies, today reported Net Income for first quarter 2012 of $17.2 million. This compares to first quarter 2011 Net Income of $26.7 million.

Senate Passes Postal Reform Bill

U.S. Senate passes Postal Service reform bill: The U.S. Senate Wednesday passed a bill intended to relieve financial pressures on the U.S. Postal Service while retaining as many services as possible. The House of Representatives is considering its own version of the bill.

New Page Won't Build Bio-Refinery

New Page drops plans for bio-refinery in Wi...:
Four years ago, the U.S. Energy Department awarded a $30 million grant for the bio-refinery. The project was originally sought by Stora Enso, a previous owner of the Wisconsin Rapids mill.

IP Closing 4 Temple-Inland Plants

International Paper closing four plants as result of Temple-Inland merger:
International Paper Co. is shutting down four plants across the country in the next two months and eliminating a total of 215 jobs.

IP Announces Uncoated Paper Increase

http://www.internationalpaper.com/

International Paper announced to customers a $2/cwt or 3-4% price increase on uncoated freesheet imaging papers effective May 21, 2012.

Another Coated Increase

FutureMark has announced a $2.00/cwt increase on its coated mechanical paper, effective July 1.