Resolute
Forest Products plans to shut its 150,000 tons/yr lightweight coated paper
machine PM 1 at Catawba mill in South Carolina indefinitely on Saturday. The
company said layoffs will start July 2.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Shandong Huatai Starts Paper Machine
China's
Shandong Huatai Paper has started up a 150,000 tonne/yr uncoated fine paper
(UFP) unit and a 150,000 tonne/yr bleached kraft pulp line at a new mill in
Anqing city, Anhui province.
Cataloguers Fight House Postal Bill
Cataloguers push back against postal legislation: The American Catalog Mailers Association is criticizing a postal reform bill that, if passed, would legislate rate increases, bypassing the typical process of rate approval via the Postal Regulatory Commission.
Hearst Plans Private Ad-Buying Marketplace
Another big magazine company is looking to ad tech to make its online ad inventory
more valuable.
Six months after Conde Nast launched a private ad marketplace to increase
the sell-through of its online ad space without opening it up ot public ad
exchanges, Hearst Magazines' digital unit -- Hearst Digital Media -- is
starting to work with an ad-tech vendor on its own exchange.
InfoTrends: Top Trends in Print
InfoTrends Forecasts Shift in On Demand Printing and Publishing Market: InfoTrends has identified the top trends in the U.S. print on demand market in its recently published U.S. Production Printing & Copying Market Forecast: 2011-2016. In this forecast, InfoTrends sees that the success of high-speed continuous-feed color inkjet devices foreshadows a clear shift in the on demand printing and publishing market.
Marketers Scale Back for June
Warc: Marketers see confidence, spending fall marginally: Marketing budgets and hiring worldwide were scaled back in June, according to a report from marketing services information company Warc, as confidence fell in response to the Eurozone debt crisis and an economic slowdown in China.
World Media Closes Newspaper Buys
Media General, Inc. today completed the previously announced
sale of 63 daily and weekly newspapers to World Media Enterprises, Inc., a
subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., for $142
million in cash, subject to adjustment for working capital and other items.
New York Times on Flipboard
The New York
Times’ subscribers will soon be able read the entire paper on the
aggregation/recommendation app. The news is important for Flipboard because it marks the first time the
start-up has convinced a big publisher to give it full access to its “premium”
content. Previously it has let users sample bits of stuff from magazines,
newspapers and the like.
First Full-Scale Green Liquor Plant
First full-scale plant for green liquor filtration in the world
Munksjö Aspa Bruk AB will install the first full-scale plant for green liquor filtration in the world based on the unique method developed by the Clean Flow AB. The process has been successful in operation and evaluated for two years at Aspa mill.
Munksjö Aspa Bruk AB will install the first full-scale plant for green liquor filtration in the world based on the unique method developed by the Clean Flow AB. The process has been successful in operation and evaluated for two years at Aspa mill.
RRD Introduces ProteusJet Multiweb Platform Apps
RR Donnelley Introduces Series of ProteusJet Multiweb Platform Apps: R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company today introduced a series of applications for its new ProteusJet Multiweb platform. ProteusJet enables sophisticated credit, telecom and cable, retail and insurance marketers to manage one-to-one communications to maximize revenues.
Monday, June 25, 2012
April Recovered Paper Demand Up 3%
http://www.paperage.com/2012news/06_25_2012recovered_fiber_afpa.html
The
American Forest & Paper Association released its May 2012 U.S. Recovered
Fiber Monthly Report today. According
to the report, total U.S. industry consumption of recovered paper in May was
2.54 million tons, 3% higher than April 2012. Year-to-date consumption in 2012
is 3% lower than during the same period last year.
Catalyst Announces Plan Update
Catalyst
Paper today announced an update on the further amended plan of arrangement
(Amended Plan) under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. Catalyst Paper
has reached an agreement in principle with certain additional holders of its 7
3/8% senior notes due March 1, 2014 (Unsecured Notes) on the terms of a
settlement and support agreement (Agreement) to be entered into with respect to
the Amended Plan. These additional holders, who voted against the prior Plan of
Arrangement, hold approximately US$120 million aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Unsecured Notes.
CEP Votes ‘Yes’ on Kruger’s Offer
CEP Locals vote ‘yes’ to Kruger’s latest offer in Corner Brook:
The CEP Locals at Corner Brook Pulp and Paper have voted in favour of Kruger‘s latest contract offer. CEP Local 96, the electrician’s local, was the only one of the five CEP locals to reject the offer. Lodge 1567 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers also vote against the offer earlier in the week. The new collective agreement will be effective immediately.
The CEP Locals at Corner Brook Pulp and Paper have voted in favour of Kruger‘s latest contract offer. CEP Local 96, the electrician’s local, was the only one of the five CEP locals to reject the offer. Lodge 1567 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers also vote against the offer earlier in the week. The new collective agreement will be effective immediately.
The RISI Top 50 Power List 2012
The RISI Top 50 Power List 2012: Now into its fifth incarnation of the movers and shakers of the global pulp and paper industry, the Power List continues to name the well known, not-so-well known and the offbeat who (or which) all contribute to our industry. Moving into the top spot in 2012 is Domtar's John Williams. Thus far, most of what the company touches turns, if not to gold, then to "green". It is in the forefront of much of the innovation going on today within the industry. Staying in the Number 2 position is Teguh Ganda Wijaya of APP. Constantly in the headlines, good and bad, APP has a knack for making waves around the world and has been very active on the acquisition scene.
International Paper's John Faraci is a perennial selection, always near the top for his business acumen. UPM's Jussi Pesonen is another pioneer who has moved up a few rungs on the ladder for his leadership in bringing UPM more into the "bio" sphere.
Penton Buys Highline
Penton Buys U.K.-Based Highline: Penton announced today that it has acquired Highline LP, a company based outside of London that provides data and sales information for the business and commercial aviation markets. The two companies have been partners for about sixteen years, with Highline providing its data for Penton's AC-U-KWIK brand, a directory of airports, fixed-base operators (FBOs) and the various suppliers that support the aviation market—fuel suppliers, maintenance, catering and so on.
Response to Catalogues & Direct Mail 30 X Email
Despite all the hype about its impending
death, direct mail still pulls, even if the medium is not quite as big as it
once was. According to the Direct Marketing Association’s annual response rate report,
response rates for direct mail sent to house files ranges from 3.4% for
letters up to nearly 4.3% for catalogs. And that’s more than 30 times the rate of
email (0.12%).
IDC:80% Say Reduced Supply Chain Costs Top Goal
IDC Manufacturing
Insights today announced the results of the 2012 US Supply Chain
Survey, which examines the state of the supply chain, how manufacturers are
adapting and improving their supply chains, and how technology plays a role in
enabling manufacturers to be more successful. Based on a survey of 350 US
manufacturers, a new report, 80% of
respondents rate reducing overall supply chain costs as the number one supply
chain priority in the coming year. Nearly 55% suggest supply chain agility is
second and 52% suggest improving product quality and safety is the third most
important priority.
Houghton Mifflin Emerges from Bankruptcy
Global education leader Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt (HMH) today announced that it has completed its financial
restructuring and emerged from its chapter 11 reorganization, 32 days after its
initial “pre‐packaged” filing on May 21, 2012.
Wired & The New Yorker Off Flipboard
Wired
and The New Yorker are suspending efforts to sell ads on the platform and
replacing their robust Flipboard feeds next month with spartan versions that
summon their own websites if readers want whole articles.
Top 5 Reasons to Personalize in Print Over Email
Top 5 Reasons to Personalize in Print Over Email (Digital Nirvana):
Reason # 5. People like to go to the mailbox.
Reason # 4. People change email addresses a lot more frequently than home addresses.
Reason # 3. Print is more likely to get personalization right.
Reason # 2. Print supports the forest products industry rather than the electricity-hogging, mountaintop-removing e-media industry.
Reason # 1. You can’t pin a computer to the wall.
Friday, June 22, 2012
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
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.
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.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Second Pulp Producer Lowers Price, Global Deliveries Up
West
Fraser informed customers in North America today that its price for northern
bleached softwood kraft (NSBK) would decrease by $20/tonne, effective July 1
until further notice, industry contacts told RISI.
Separately, the PPPC reported that global
pulp deliveries edged up by 2.9% to 3.537 million tonnes in May, up from 3.436
million tonnes the previous month.
St. Mary's Auctions Equipment
St. Marys Paper Corp.’s assets in Sault St. Marie, Ontario, will be sold via auction on June 20-21 by auction and appraisal firm Hilco Industrial LLC,.
Hilco is holding a pre-sale for some equipment and will accept online bids during the live onsite auction.
First Union Rejects Kruger Offer
The first of the union locals at Corner Brook Pulp and Paper to vote on Kruger‘s final offer has voted ‘no’.
Joseph Kruger wrote workers, telling them that the fate of the mill in western Newfoundland is in their hands.
A local Communications Energy and Paperworkers union leader said he’s concerned it might push some people to reject the Kruger’s contract offer.
PPWC Against BC Proposal
PPWC takes stance against BC’s proposal to log protected areas:
The Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada (PPWC) union has come out against British Columbia’s proposal to open up protected areas to logging. “It’s just short term gain for probably long term pain,” said Arnold Bercov, the forest resource officer for the Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada, which represents some 2,000 workers in the sector in the province.
The Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada (PPWC) union has come out against British Columbia’s proposal to open up protected areas to logging. “It’s just short term gain for probably long term pain,” said Arnold Bercov, the forest resource officer for the Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada, which represents some 2,000 workers in the sector in the province.
Hearst's HGTV Rate Base Grows Again
HGTV Magazine, published by Hearst Magazines in partnership with HGTV, continues its
growth with a rate base increase to 700,000 copies effective with the
January/February 2013 issue, to be followed by another increase to 800,000 in
July 2013. The announcement was made today by Dan Fuchs, chief revenue
officer/publisher of HGTV Magazine.
Advertisers Still Like Choice
If you work anywhere near media, you'll want to take a long look at this
graph. It tells you where Americans direct our attention and where
advertisers pay money to capture our attention.
-- Takeaway #1: We still love TV.
-- Takeaway #2: Advertisers still love print.
-- Takeaway #3: Audiences move faster than advertisers.
-- Takeaway #2: Advertisers still love print.
-- Takeaway #3: Audiences move faster than advertisers.
ZenithOptimedia Revises Outlook
ZenithOptimedia
predicts global ad expenditure will grow 4.3% in 2012, reaching US$502 billion
by the end of the year. This is a slight downgrade of the 4.8% growth we
forecast in March. Our forecasts for 2013 and 2014 are unchanged, at 5.3% and
6.1% respectively.
Source Interlink Offers New Motor Trend Option
Special interest media publisher Source
Interlink Media, LLC (SIM) has released a new version of their Motor Trend Google TV App, available in the
Google Play app store. This program features a line up of eight individual
shows and an “Extras” section featuring clips from the Motor
Trend archives.
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