Monday, November 19, 2012

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

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

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

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

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.

Friday, November 16, 2012

AF&PA: Oct. Kraft Paper, Boxboard Ships

The American Forest & Paper Association released its October 2012 Kraft Paper Sector Statistics Report today.
Total Kraft paper shipments were 128.3 thousand tons, a decrease of 5 percent compared to the prior month. Total inventory was 72.9 thousand tons this month. Both unbleached and bleached Kraft shipments decreased year over year. 
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.

Verso Gets $84 Million Sartell Payment

Verso Paper Corp. on Tuesday announced it has received about $84 million in an insurance settlement from the Memorial Day explosion and fire that injured four people, killed an employee and led to a decision to close its Sartell mill.
The company received $40 million during the third quarter, for which results were reported Tuesday, and has subsequently settled for another $44 million and concluded the insurance process.
Meanwhile, the company also has paid out about $16.3 million in severance and benefits to some of the 260 displaced workers through the third quarter, with more yet to come.

Resolute Increases FSC Certification to 65%

Resolute Forest Products increases FSC Certification to 65% of its managed forestland:
Resolute Forest Products has certified an additional 3.5 million hectares of company-managed forestlands in Quebec to Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) standards.
These new certifications raise the total area of Resolute tenures that are FSC-certified in North America to 15.8 million hectares, an area larger than Greece and twice the size of Ireland.

UK Study: Higher ROI with Print Ads

Print beats TV in advertising ROI stakes:
The publisher's AdValue study, which was collated from an analysis of sales and media data based on both consumer panels and econometrics, found that advertising in magazines led to an 8% average increase in spend per consumer household.
According to the study, carried out by market research firm Nielsen, magazines give advertisers a better rate of ROI on ad spend than TV. IPC's portfolio of print titles alone reaches nearly two-thirds of UK women and 42% of men (almost 26 million adults); while its websites reach over 20 million users every month.

Wired Names Editor-In-Chief

Wired Names Scott Dadich Editor-In-Chief:
Just two weeks after it was announced that Chris Anderson was stepping down as Wired's editor-in-chief to become CEO of 3D Robotics, a company he co-founded several years ago, Condé Nast has named Scott Dadich as the brand's new top editor.

"People" Launches Social Platform

People Magazine Launches Custom Social Platform:
As more and more women turn to social media for information and interaction, so is People magazine. The Time Inc. title has launched “Your Turn” within its website—its own social platform that allows users to contribute to and share with People.com.

Discussion: Privatization of USPS

Should the USPS be privatized?: Even as Congress dawdles and plays political football, privatization of the USPS gains little appeal.

Retail Sector Outlook

37% of Middle Market Retail Executives Expect Increase In Holiday Sales
37% Will Invest In Their Business In The Coming Year
51% Will Use Social Media To Grow Their Business
60% Believe The Presidential Election Will Significantly Impact Their Business
71% Favor Change in Tax Policy to Spur New Hiring

"Made in USA" Preferred by 80% in US, 60% in China


More than 80 percent of U.S. consumers and, perhaps more surprising, over 60 percent of Chinese consumers say that they are willing to pay more for products labeled “Made in USA” than for those labeled “Made in China,” according to new research released today by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
In September, BCG surveyed more than 5,000 consumers in the U.S., China, Germany, and France regarding their attitudes toward the value of the Made in USA brand and their actual buying behavior. The results reveal that U.S. consumers will pay a premium for the Made in USA brand across a broad range of product categories, although the premium varies significantly depending on the category.

Ventana Research Tech Innovation Award to RRD

RR Donnelley Earns Ventana Research Technology Innovation Award: RRD ActiveDisclosure(SM) Governance Risk and Compliance Solution Recognized for Innovation; Gives Financial Teams Greater Control Over Disclosure Management ProcessCHICAGO, - R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company today announced that its RRD ActiveDisclosureSM system has been recognized as a winner in the 2012 Ventana Research Technology Innovation Awards.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Tembec Reports Q4 Results

Tembec reports a net loss of $47 million in its 4th quarter, ending September 29, 2012:
Tembec is reporting a net loss of $47 million in its 4th quarter, ending September 29, 2012 on consolidated sales of $443 million.
Sales were up compared to $421 million in the same quarter last year. Reported net loss in the same quarter last year was $17 million.
The results from the last quarter include a non-cash asset impairment charge of $50 million relating to the recently idled Chetwynd, British Columbia, pulp mill.
Operating earnings before depreciation, amortization and other items (adjusted EBITDA) was $23 million for the quarter, as compared to adjusted EBITDA of $19 million a year ago and adjusted EBITDA of $27 million in the prior quarter.