Canfor Announces Construction of New State-of-the-Art Greenfield Sawmill in Washington, Georgia

The Board of Directors of Canfor Corporation approved the construction of a new, state-of-the-art sawmill in Washington, Georgia. The new sawmill, which will cost approximately US$120 million and have a production capacity of 275 million board feet, will employ best-in-class mill technology, capitalizing on an excellent fibre resource in the region to produce high-value dimension and specialty lumber products. Strategically located near the Company’s existing glulam facility in Washington and the larger population centers in Athens and Augusta, the new mill will be able to draw on a strong and skilled employee base. Construction will commence in the second quarter of 2018, with the official start-up projected for the third quarter of 2019. At full run rates, assuming 2017 market pricing, the sawmill is forecast to generate annual EBITDA of approximately US$35 million. Click Read More below for additional information.
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American Forest & Paper Association Releases January 2018 Containerboard Report

Containerboard production was up 0.7 percent compared to January 2017. The month-over-month average daily production compared to December 2017 was 2.9 percent lower. The containerboard operating rate was 97.2 percent, or 2.2 percentage points higher than January 2017. Production for exports was 10.5 percent lower than January 2017, which was the month with the second highest export volume in 2017.
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American Forest & Paper Association Releases January 2018 U.S. Packaging Papers & Specialty Packaging Monthly Report

Total Packaging Papers shipments were 219,200 tons, 9.5 percent lower than January 2017. Bag & Sack shipments were down 13.4 percent month-over-month and Multiwall shipments were down 19.0 percent. Food Wrapping shipments were up 0.4 percent. The operating rate for January was 84.3 percent, the second lowest over the last 13 months. Inventories were 171,800 tons, up 3.6 percent since December 2017.
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Oil Heads for Second Weekly Gain After Surprise Stockpile Drop

Futures in New York are up 1.5 percent this week after closing at the highest level in two weeks on Thursday. While the U.S. is pumping near record volumes, exports also jumped to a four-month high last week, helping drain the nation’s stockpiles. Oil stocks in the biggest U.S. storage hub plunged to the lowest level in more than three years. While crude struggled after the best January performance in more than a decade, it’s now finding its footing again as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies including Russia pledge to persist with output curbs to re-balance the market, and demand remains robust. Click Read More below for additional information.
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HPE Reports Fiscal 2018 First Quarter Results

First quarter net revenue of $7.7 billion was up 11% from the prior year and up 9% when adjusted for currency. First quarter GAAP diluted net earnings per share (“EPS”) from continuing operations was $0.92, up from GAAP diluted net EPS from continuing operations of $0.15 in the prior-year period. First quarter non-GAAP diluted net EPS from continuing operations was $0.34, up from non-GAAP diluted net EPS from continuing operations of $0.28 in the prior-year period. “Our strong Q1 performance is proof that we have the right strategy and improved execution,” said Antonio Neri, President and CEO of HPE. “We had good revenue growth across every business segment, continued to execute HPE Next with no disruption to the business, and delivered strong shareholder return in the form of share repurchases and dividends.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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UPS To Deploy First Electric Truck To Rival Cost Of Conventional Fuel Vehicles

UPS announced it plans to deploy 50 plug-in electric delivery trucks that will be comparable in acquisition cost to conventional-fueled trucks without any subsidies – an industry first that is breaking a key barrier to large scale fleet adoption. The company is collaborating with Workhorse Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WKHS) to design the vehicles from the ground up, with zero tailpipe emissions. “Electric vehicle technology is rapidly improving with battery, charging and smart grid advances that allow us to specify our delivery vehicles to eliminate emissions, noise and dependence on diesel and gasoline,” said Carlton Rose, President, Global Fleet Maintenance and Engineering for UPS. “With our scale and real-world duty cycles, these new electric trucks will be a quantum leap forward for the purpose-built UPS® delivery fleet. The all electric trucks will deliver by day and re-charge overnight. We are uniquely positioned to work with our partners, communities and customers to transform freight transportation.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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LSC Communications Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2017 Results

Fourth quarter net sales were $999 million, up $80 million, or 8.7%, from the fourth quarter of 2016. After adjusting for acquisitions, changes in foreign exchange rates, and pass-through paper sales, organic net sales decreased 4.6% from the fourth quarter of 2016. Fourth quarter 2017 net loss was $58 million, or $1.68 per diluted share, compared to net income of $9 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2016. The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2017 reflected $24 million of one-time provisional tax expense related to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which will be further detailed in the 2017 Form 10-K, as well as the impact from non-deductible goodwill impairment charges. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $85 million, or 8.5% of net sales, compared to $80 million, or 8.7% of net sales, in the fourth quarter of 2016. Click Read More below for additional information.
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American Forest & Paper Association Releases January 2018 Printing-Writing Paper Monthly Report

According to the January 2018 Printing-Writing monthly report from the American Forest & Paper Association, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased five percent in January compared to January 2017. A small increase in shipments of uncoated free sheet was not enough to offset the year-over-year declines in January for the other three grades. Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased one percent from December 2017. Imports of printing-writing papers finished 2017 five percent lower than 2016 imports while exports finished the year five percent higher than 2016. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil Falls Toward $61 on Concern U.S. Inventories Expanded Again

Futures lost as much as 1.5 percent in New York. Inventories probably rose 2.9 million barrels last week, according to a Bloomberg survey before a government report later Thursday. Global equities and industrial metals also dropped after an upbeat U.S. growth outlook fueled the possibility of interest-rate hikes. U.S. crude inventories rose by 1.84 million barrels in the week through Feb. 9, data from the Energy Information Administration show. While analysts surveyed by Bloomberg expect a further increase in this week’s numbers, the American Petroleum Institute was said to report a decline of 907,000 barrels. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Boise Paper launches new digital papers program

Boise Paper announced a new program to deliver rolls and sheets specifically intended for use in commercial grade digital printers. All products in the line have been performance tested and carry a laser guarantee. Products include Boise POLARIS® branded rolls and sheets, as well as Boise® Offset and Boise® Opaque rolls. “We’re committed to delivering what our customers need,” said Tina Brennan, Senior Marketing and Planning Manager for Boise Paper. “We know digital products are essential for commercial printers, and we want to make sure our offering enables success with those applications.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Announces Full Year 2017 Results

Net Sales for the full year increased $35 million, or 2.5%, year over year. The net sales increase was driven by a $19 million increase in our Trade Publishing segment and a $16 million increase in our Education segment during the current period. Operating loss for the full year 2017 was $114 million, $197 million lower than the $311 million operating loss recorded in 2016. Net loss of $103 million for the full year 2017 was $182 million lower than the net loss of $285 million in 2016, due primarily to the same factors impacting operating loss offset by a $15 million unfavorable change in our income tax benefit in 2017, from an income tax benefit of $65 million for the same period in 2016 to an income tax benefit of $50 million in 2017. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Lecta Presents Its Newest Environmental Report

In keeping with our commitment to respect for the environment and our focus on sustainability, Lecta carries out its business activity with the aim of minimizing environmental impact in the communities and areas where we operate, thereby contributing to their wellbeing. In spite of challenging economic circumstances, this entails allocating a significant portion of our budget to this goal. Over the past ten years, nearly 135 million euros have been invested in projects to minimize environmental impact. These investments have been allocated to many ambitious projects at our manufacturing sites. The primary goals have been to increase energy efficiency, decrease air emissions and optimize the use of natural resources in the manufacture of our distinct multiproduct portfolio, based on paper as a natural, renewable raw material. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Dickinson Press, Kingsport Book Launch New Short-Run Four-Color Printing Facility

Kingsport Book LLC is excited to announce the launch of its newly built Kingsport Book Commercial. Kingsport Book Commercial was built with the goal of being able to offer the most competitive, short-run four-color book and commercial printing solution available in the industry. Phase 1 of this multi-million expansion continues to build on the goals established by PCC (Printer Consolidation Co.), a Blackford Capital portfolio company to build a world-class company focused on the ever-changing needs of the book printing industry. Kingsport Book, located in Church Hill, Tenn., has developed a strong reputation as a high-end book finishing and fulfillment company. To complement the deluxe bindery operation, a sister company has been built to service short-run offset and digital printing needs as well as to support the surrounding areas with the most advanced equipment available. In the expanded 135,000-sq.-ft. facility, a 10-color Komori perfecting press has been installed along with finishing, prepress and digital equipment. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Tetra Pak delivers more than half a billion fully renewable packages

Tetra Rex® Bio-based, which was launched in October 2014, is manufactured solely from Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC™) certified and controlled sources paperboard, together with plastics derived from sugar cane, all traceable to their origins. Packages made from renewable materials are essential for preserving the environment for future generations. Renewable resources can be replenished naturally over time and enable a move away from fossil fuel-based materials, reducing the environmental impact as well as improving resource efficiency. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Canada-U.S. Forest Health and Innovation Summit Rooted in Collaboration

Forest health and innovation challenges and opportunities don’t observe borders and that is the spirit in which delegates will be participating in the 4th Canada-U.S. Forest Health Summit, February 21-23 in Ottawa. “Trade irritants or disputes may generate headlines but beneath that is a successful history of collaboration between Canada and the United States,” says Derek Nighbor, CEO of the Forest Products Association of Canada, who is participating in the summit. “On both sides of the border, we face complex challenges from addressing climate change to protecting communities from wildfires; to preventing pest outbreaks, supporting species at risk, and protecting watershed health. This week’s Summit provides a great opportunity for cross-border information sharing.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Apex Plastics adds Capabilities and Capacity with New Equipment

Custom blow-molder Apex Plastics has added a new Aoki 250LL-50S injection blow molding machine. By adding the new Aoki machine, Apex has not only added additional capacity, but also added to their already impressive list of capabilities. Apex Plastics has established themselves as a leader in extrusion blow-molding, and with the addition of the Aoki 250LL-50S they have the added capability of injection blow-molding. The Aoki is a versatile injection blow-molding machine that is able to mold a variety bottles and containers from narrow neck to wide mouth. With the Aoki, Apex Plastics gained the added capability of running PET material. This has opened up a wide range of new products for Apex to pursue. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Command Packaging has been sold to Delta Plastics of the South

Lincoln International is pleased to announce Command Packaging, LLC, has been sold to Delta Plastics of the South, LLC. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Command is an industry pioneer and market leading provider of flexible packaging solutions, focused on supplying 100% certifiably sustainable carryout bags across the food service, retail and grocery industries. Headquartered in Vernon, California, the Company offers technically-sophisticated capabilities, including extrusion, printing, conversion and value-added services to 400+ blue chip customers nationwide. These customers rely on Command to solve their most complex carryout bag challenges and design products that represent their brands through superior quality, innovation and premium graphics. Click Read More below for additional information
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Irving Paper Team Gives New Books to their PALS at Glen Falls School’s Literacy Night

One of Susan Gionet’s favourite days of the year? Delivering new books for young students at Glen Falls school in Saint John. The books go to Glen Falls School Literacy Night, hosted annually for parents and students. “We have family-friendly, fun activities for parents and students planned,” said Jill Nylen, Community Schools Coordinator at Glen Falls. “With the help of Irving Paper and their donation of books and prizes, this will help our students build their home libraries.” “We are always thankful for our partnership with our Irving Paper PALS,” she said. “Their willingness to support our students and our school is overwhelming. It’s nice to have a partnership where our students benefit greatly.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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New $135 Million Lumber Plant Announced In Warrenton, Georgia

Georgia‐Pacific announced it will build a new softwood lumber production facility in Warren County, Georgia. Construction of the $135 million, 340,000‐square foot, technologically advanced plant is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2018 with an anticipated startup in spring 2019. Georgia‐Pacific’s existing lumber plant in Warren County will continue full operations until the new facility is completed. After startup of the new plant, Georgia‐Pacific estimates hiring an additional 30 to 40 employees, bringing its workforce in Warren County to approximately 150 people. “We have enough property next to our existing mill in Warren County to build a larger facility equipped with the latest in lumber manufacturing technology,” said Fritz Mason, vice president and general manager, Georgia‐Pacific Lumber. “We have a great team at Warrenton and building a new state‐of‐the‐art facility on this site will make it competitive for years to come. The team has earned it.” The new facility will be capable of over three times the output of the current facility. The existing facility has been operating since the early 1970s and technology in the lumber production business has changed significantly since that time. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Edwards Brothers Malloy Offset Book Plant Consolidation Reflects Industry Convergence

Edwards Brothers Malloy announced that it plans to consolidate all offset printing operations into its Ann Arbor, Mich., location by the end of 2018. As a result, it will be closing its offset printing facility located in Lillington, N.C., which will impact the job positions of approximately 100 workers employed there over the next nine-month period. “This was a very difficult decision,” said John Edwards, Edwards Brothers Malloy president and CEO, in a prepared statement. “We continue to see shrinking demand for offset printing and double-digit growth in digital printing. We want to increase our digital footprint and be sure we’re well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities and new markets.” The phased shutdown of the Lillington offset printing facility is planned to begin in April and should be completed by the end of the year, according to the company. Edwards added that the move will lead to “some” job growth in Michigan and that Lillington employees are encouraged to apply for work at its Ann Arbor location. Click Read More below for additional information.
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HP Launches High-Definition Digital Press for Commercial Printing

HP Inc. announced commercial availability of its HP Indigo 12000 HD Digital Press with breakthrough high-definition imaging, the next step in the evolution of HP’s market-leading1 Series 4 large format press platform with more than 700 units installed worldwide. The High Definition Imaging System for the B2-sized HP Indigo 12000 HD Digital Press doubles image resolution, delivering sharper, smoother, finer print, enabling print service providers (PSPs) to surpass offset quality and open new digital possibilities in high-end commercial and photo applications. The press uses an all-new High Definition Imaging System, using 48 parallel laser beams and high screen sets up to 290 LPI. Click Read More below for additional information
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Quad/Graphics Acquires Leading Marketing Services Provider

Quad/Graphics, Inc. announced it has acquired Ivie & Associates, a premier marketing services provider and one of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing privately held companies in the country. The business combination creates a powerful marketing solution that addresses clients’ increasing need for improved process efficiency and marketing spend effectiveness. The combined offering, fueled by both companies’ talent, expertise and technology, will provide clients unmatched scale for onsite marketing services, integrated execution, and expanded subject matter expertise in digital, media and creative. Click Read More below for additional information
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Quad/Graphics Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2017 Results

Net earnings improved during the fourth quarter of 2017 to $55 million, an $18 million year-over-year increase, despite a 2.8% decrease in net sales to $1.2 billion. Organic sales decreased 2.8% due to ongoing industry volume and pricing pressures, after excluding pass-through paper sales (-0.3% impact) and favorable foreign exchange (0.3% impact). Net earnings improved for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $107 million, a $62 million increase from 2016, despite a 4.6% decrease in net sales to $4.1 billion. Organic sales decreased 3.5% due to ongoing industry volume and pricing pressures after excluding pass-through paper sales (-1.1% impact), and is consistent with the Company’s previous guidance. Net cash provided by operating activities was $344 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Free Cash Flow was $258 million, compared with $246 million for 2016, and was at the top end of the Company’s guidance range. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Walmart’s US online sales grow 44% in 2017 despite Q4 stumble

In the first full fiscal year after the Jet.com acquisition, Walmart posted a 44% increase in e-commerce sales to $11.5 billion across all its U.S. sites. However, web sales grew only 23% in the fourth quarter as problems managing inventory resulted in some items being unavailable to online shoppers. Walmart, No. 3 in the Internet Retailer 2017 Top 500, also announced a 47% year-over-year rise in gross merchandise value—the value of all goods sold on its e-commerce sites, a figure that includes merchandise sold by other merchants on Walmart.com and Jet.com. Overall, the company’s revenues were up 3.0% year over year, a $14.5 billion rise to $500.3 billion. The company’s 23% online growth in the fourth quarter was down from last quarter, which saw a 50% increase, and Q4 last year, during which online sales grew 29%. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Brent Drops From 2-Week High as U.S. Warns of `Phenomenal’ Surge

Oil is struggling to regain the highs of January after a sell-off in global equities seeped into crude markets earlier this month. Surging U.S. production continues to challenge efforts by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its friends to alleviate a global oversupply, with forecasts pointing to record output from the Permian shale basin. “Prices are vulnerable to the downside over the coming months,” said Giovanni Staunovo, an analyst at UBS Group AG in Zurich. “Though the market likes OPEC and its allies’ show of unity, we still need to see how U.S. shale companies will react on higher prices and eventually offset all the efforts of OPEC and others to reduce inventories.” The increase in U.S. production is not “a blip,” Brouillette said. “We are optimistic about 2019 and 2020 too.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Plans drawn up for World’s tallest Wooden Skyscraper

Sumitomo Forestry, a Japanese company is planning to build the world's tallest wooden skyscraper to mark its 350th anniversary in 2041. Only 10% of the 70-storey W350 tower would be steel, combined with about 180,000 cubic metres of indigenous wood which will make up for 90% of the building. This will limit the carbon footprint of the building as the wood will store the carbon instead of emitting it into the atmosphere. There will be about 8,000 homes, with trees and foliage on balconies at every level, creating a pleasant space for plants and living organisms and in turn contributing to the biodiversity of the city. In doing so, the company will be on track to meet its wider objective to create environmentally-friendly and timber utilising cities and maintain the livelihood of the forest ecosystem. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Communicating benefits of forest products key to unlocking potential contribution to SDGs

The environmental rationale for protecting forests is well known. Lesser known, but equally significant, is the role of forest products. Forest products are key to a green economy, an economy that relies on sustainable materials with a minimal environmental footprint. Rovaniemi Action PlanThis is the spirit of the Rovaniemi Action Plan, a regional blueprint to support the contribution of the forest sector to the transition to a green economy. Approved in 2013, the Rovaniemi Action Plan remains the main framework to guide the transition to a green economy in the forest sector in the UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) region. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Iggesund Paperboard’s Vice President Sales & Marketing leaves the company

As per 28 February Iggesund Paperboard’s Vice President Sales and Marketing, Arvid Sundblad, leaves his position for new opportunities outside the company. “For many years, Arvid Sundblad has provided extensive knowledge, good relationships and solutions to develop Iggesund Paperboard to where we are today”, says CEO Daniel Peltonen. The process of finding a replacement will start immediately and until a permanent solution is found, Daniel Peltonen will act as Sales Director. "We thank Arvid for his commitment during these years and the great efforts he made for the company and wish him luck in future challenges," concludes Daniel Peltonen
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LSC Communications Enhances Book Production Capabilities with the Purchase of New Wide-Web Goss Press and High-Speed Binding Line

LSC Communications announced a major investment in its Book Platform to boost productivity, capacity and efficiency. LSC will invest in its Willard, OH facility with the installation of a new Goss wide-web press and a new high-speed binding line. This investment will support the continued strength of the 4-color book market category, making LSC’s Willard, OH location the most advanced 4-color plant in the United States. Dave McCree, President of the LSC Book Group commented, “LSC will continue to grow and expand its supply chain and publisher services offerings, yet also strongly believes in the need to continue to advance its core print capabilities. This investment solidifies our position as the category leader, delivering innovative solutions to our Publishing clients.”
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Albertsons Companies and Rite Aid Merge to Create Food, Health, and Wellness Leader

Albertsons Companies, one of the nation's largest grocery retailers, and Rite Aid Corporation, one of the nation's leading drugstore chains, announced a definitive merger agreement under which privately held Albertsons Companies will merge with publicly traded Rite Aid. Under the terms of the agreement, in exchange for every 10 shares of Rite Aid common stock, Rite Aid shareholders will have the right to elect to receive either (i) one share of Albertsons Companies common stock plus approximately $1.83 in cash or (ii) 1.079 shares of Albertsons Companies stock. Depending upon the results of cash elections, upon closing of the merger, shareholders of Rite Aid will own a 28.0 percent to 29.6 percent stake in the combined company, and current Albertsons Companies shareholders will own a 70.4 percent to 72.0 percent stake in the combined company on a fully diluted basis. Immediately following completion of the merger and assuming that all Rite Aid shareholders elect to receive shares plus cash, Albertsons Companies will have approximately 392.9 million shares outstanding on a pro forma and fully diluted basis. Following the close of the transaction and the share exchange, Albertsons Companies' shares are expected to trade on the New York Stock Exchange. Click Read More below for additional information
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Operating revenues were $854.2 million, including approximately $49.1 million from the 53rd week, compared to $867.0 million in the prior year quarter. Favorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates benefited revenues by $4.2 million. Same store operating revenues declined 8.8%, an improvement compared to a decline of 9.4% in the third quarter of 2017, due to our strategic subscriber pricing initiatives and the inclusion of a full quarter of ReachLocal revenue in our same store calculation. Total digital revenues increased to $272.3 million, or approximately 31.9% of total revenue. GAAP net losses were $13.6 million, including a $42.8 million tax expense from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and $27.6 million of after-tax restructuring, asset impairment charges and other costs. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Gap Inc. Announces Departure of Gap Brand President

Gap Inc. announced that Jeff Kirwan, president and CEO of Gap brand, will leave the company. “Under Jeff’s leadership we made significant progress on the operating model of Gap brand. We are faster and more responsive than ever before, we radically improved quality and fit, and we centered the brand on the aesthetic that our customers love: casual, optimistic and American. We have also seen the results of exceptional marketing and customer engagement reflected in increased traffic, improved sales and the strength of the digital business” said Art Peck, chief executive officer of Gap Inc. “While I am pleased with our progress in brand health and product quality, we have not achieved the operational excellence and accelerated profit growth that we know is possible at Gap brand. As we move into the brand’s next phase of development, Jeff and I agreed it was an appropriate time for a change in leadership,” Peck continued. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds® launches characters for campaign

The Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds® campaign revealed two new animated characters to further strengthen consumer connection to paper and packaging. The new industry brand ambassadors are a springboard for inspiring creativity, connection and achievement–qualities consumers around the world appreciate when using paper and paper-based packaging products. “Paper and packaging products are prevalent in our lives, and it was our goal to create highly-relatable characters to represent the vital roles that paper and packaging play for each and every one of us,” shares Mary Anne Hansan, president of the Paper and Packaging Board. “We launched the Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds® campaign in 2015, and we are thrilled to introduce these new characters to help consumers nationwide recognize and remember the value of paper in their everyday lives.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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The Navigator Company to increase paper prices by 6-8% in Europe

The Navigator Company announces that it will be increasing prices by 6 to 8 % in Europe. This measure will be effective with orders shipping March 26th, 2018. The paper industry cost drivers continue to show a steady rise. This fact results on the need to defend our profitability and therefore, the Navigator Company will be applying a price increase in Europe in all products and markets, ranging from 6% to 8% and from 26th March dispatches.
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Quantum Group Appoints Former Mittera/EarthColor Executive as CEO

Quantum announced industry leader Cheryl Kahanec as its new CEO, effective February 16, 2018. Kahanec has more than 35 years of experience in the marketing communications and digital print industry, including transitioning traditional print companies into early digital success stories. In her leadership role at Quantum, she will drive the company’s strategic vision to continue to develop integrated and innovative solutions to help marketers succeed in today’s technology and data-driven marketplace. “After an extensive national search, we are excited to welcome Cheryl as Quantum’s new chief executive officer,” said Peter Cahall, chairman of the board of directors for Quantum. “She is one of our industry’s top innovators and an authority in our field. Her extensive expertise, demonstrated success and passion fit perfectly with our commitment to providing service and solutions for our customers.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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S&S Posts Solid 2017 Sales, Earnings

Simon & Schuster finished 2017 on a high note, posting a 12% increase in revenue in the fourth quarter over the comparable period in 2016. The publisher also saw a 22% jump in operating income. With the strong finish, sales for the full year rose 8% over 2016, to $830 million, while earnings increased 11%, to $132 million. S&S CEO Carolyn Reidy said 2017 was a year in which most of S&S's plans came to fruition. She noted that all four of the publisehr's major operating groups posted sales gains over the previous year. The audio group, led by sales of downloadable audio, saw the biggest gain, followed by the international group, the adult group, then the children's group.The company's distribution business also had higher sales in the year. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Empire Magazine Publishes Five Iconic Covers as Steven Spielberg Takes Over

The five covers depict iconic scenes from Spielberg’s most famous movies; Jaws, Raider Of The Lost Ark, E.T The Extra Terrestrial and Saving Private Ryan and well as one featuring the new virtual reality blockbuster, Ready Player One, which hits cinemas on 29 March. This major publishing event builds on a long and established relationship between Empire, the world’s biggest movie magazine and the legendary film director which has spanned over three decades. Inside the special issue, on sale on Thursday 22 February, readers can look forward to an exclusive interview and photo shoot with Spielberg himself, an access all areas feature on his new virtual-reality film Ready Player One, plus exclusive interviews and essays from iconic directors and actors including Martin Scorsese, JJ Abrams, Tom Hanks, Christopher Nolan, Josh Brolin, Edgar Wright, JA Bayona, Colin Trevorrow, Rian Johnson, Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern and Sam Neill. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Oil Set for Weekly Gain as Dollar Weakens, Markets Stabilize

Futures in New York were little changed Friday and poised for a 3.7 percent weekly gain after the greenback slumped to a three-year low. A rebound in stocks from the U.S. to Asia is also boosting confidence the markets are stabilizing. West Texas Intermediate for March delivery added 7 cents to $61.41 on the New York Mercantile Exchange at 6:13 a.m. local time. Total volume traded was about 31 percent above the 100-day average. Brent for April settlement climbed 19 cents to trade at $64.52 on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The global benchmark traded at a $3.22 premium to WTI for the same month.
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Sun Chemical and Eastman Introduce Recycle-Friendly PETG Shrink Sleeves

Sun Chemical has launched its SunLam™ De-seaming Adhesive for shrink-labeled containers. This new de-seamable adhesive helps recyclers improve recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) yield without process changes. Developed in partnership, Sun Chemical and Eastman extensively tested SunLam on labels made with Eastman Embrace™ LV copolyester. It has received a “Responsible Innovation Acknowledgment” by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) after passing stringent testing outlined by the APR. By changing from a traditional solvent to SunLam De-seaming Adhesive, shrink labels deseam and release during the whole bottle wash step of the wet recycling process, without sacrifice of label performance. The label removal occurs prior to color, infrared and manual sorting, thus preventing shrink-labeled PET bottles being removed from the rPET stream due to misidentification. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Sealed Air Announces Price Increases for Its North American Product Care Products

Sealed Air Corporation announced that it is implementing a price increase on products in its North American Product Care business. The increases will be effective April 1, 2018. The price adjustments are necessary because of increases in raw materials, freight, and other input costs. A seven (7) percent price increase will be applied to the following products: Bubble Wrap® IB Film, Bubble Wrap® Brand Air Cellular Products, Cell-Aire® Packaging Foam and Laminate Products, Fill-Air® Inflatables Film, FloWrap™ Film, Jiffy® TuffGard® Mailers, Jiffy® ShurTuff ® Mailers, NewAir I.B.® Film, PriorityWrap® Bubble, Shrink Film Products and Materials, Specialty Foams Products and Materials, TempShield™ Reflective Foil Air Cellular Material, and Wonderfil™ Film. A five (5) percent price increase will be applied to the following products: Consumable Paper for all Sealed Air Paper Systems, PriorityWrap® Rigid Board, Custom Wrap™ Converted Paper, Kushion Kraft® Converted Paper, Jiffylite® Kraft Bubble Mailers, Jiffy® Utility Mailers, Jiffy® Padded Envelopes, Jiffy Rigi Bag® Mailers, Korrvu® Suspension & Retention, Macerated Pads, and Rapid Fill® Automated Bags. The business also previously announced increases in the prices of Instapak® products, which are effective March 15, 2018: lnstapak® chemical formulation prices will increase 15 cents per pound, lnstapak® packaging film prices will increase 6 percent and lnstapak Simple® "A" and "B" Component prices will increase 2 percent.
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Walker: ‘Hard to tell’ whether Kimberly-Clark will take tax deal to keep plants open

Gov. Scott Walker said Thursday "it's hard to tell" whether Kimberly-Clark Corp. will take his administration's tax deal to keep its Neenah and Fox Crossing plants open. "We put the best offer we could on the table," Walker told USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin after speaking at the Lincoln Day Dinner for the Winnebago County Republicans. "... Even though it's not new jobs, we thought, unlike just anybody out there, when you think of an industry that has such a large impact, an employer that has such a large impact, that's why we said we should parallel what we did for (Foxconn)." Click Read More below for additional information.
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Inkjet Summit Offers Unique Learning Approach and Relationship-Building Format

The sixth annual Inkjet Summit will be held at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., April 9-11, 2018. The Inkjet Summit is an invitation-only, hosted event specifically designed for senior managers and business executives at printing companies and corporate enterprises who are looking to develop strategies, understand their options and make major investment decisions around production inkjet digital printing technology. The focus of the 2018 Inkjet Summit will be on sharing insight on key factors of successful production inkjet press adoption. Panels and presentations will include sessions on press implementations, sales requirements, end-to-end workflows and technology options. Application segments covered include everything from Transaction and Direct Mail/Marketing through Publishing (books, catalogs and magazines), General Commercial and In-Plant printing. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Forest Products Employees Arrive On Capitol Hill To Communicate Threats To Manufacturing Jobs, Environment

American workers employed in the U.S. forest products industry descended on Washington, D.C., this week and made over 485 visits with members of Congress and administration officials. Their goal was to educate officials on the impacts of legislative and regulatory decisions on the environment as well as the families and communities that depend on forest products manufacturing for their livelihood. The group of workers were from The Pulp & Paperworkers' Resource Council (PPRC), a grassroots organization of hourly employees in the forest products industry who educate about issues affecting American manufacturing jobs in their industry. "The good-paying jobs that forest products manufacturing provides is vital to our economy," said David Wise, PPRC chairman. "The PPRC believes that our elected and government officials need to help protect the environment and not support regulations and legislation that hurts U.S. workers. It's imperative that we ensure a competitive playing field for the American forest products industry in the global market." Click Read More below for additional information.
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Mercer International Inc. Announces Record 2017 Fourth Quarter and Near Record Year End Results

Mercer International Inc. reported strong results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017. Operating EBITDA* in the fourth quarter of 2017 increased by 54% to a record $89.1 million compared to $57.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and by 39% from $64.0 million in the prior quarter of 2017. For 2017, Operating EBITDA increased by approximately 36% to $252.3 million from $185.7 million in 2016. For the fourth quarter of 2017, our net income was $41.7 million, or $0.64 per basic and diluted share, compared to $18.5 million, or $0.29 per basic and $0.28 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $21.1 million, or $0.33 per basic and $0.32 per diluted share, in the prior quarter of 2017. For 2017, net income was $70.5 million, or $1.09 per basic and $1.08 per diluted share, after giving effect to a loss on the early settlement of debt of $10.7 million (or $0.16 per basic and diluted share), compared to $34.9 million, or $0.54 per basic and diluted share, in 2016. Click Read More below for additional information.
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U.S. e-commerce sales growth decelerates in January

New figures from the U.S. Census Bureau suggest online sales grew roughly 15.9% in January, a slight deceleration from strong gains in December and November. What the government agency calls “nonstore sales” reached $54.97 billion on a seasonally adjusted basis in January, a 10.2% increase compared with $49.87 billion. Nonstore sales mainly take place online but also include other channels such as mail and telephone orders, door-to-door sales and sales through vending machines. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Bauer Media: July – December 2017 Magazine ABCs

Bauer Media remains the UK’s leading consumer magazine publisher by total paid-for copies sold and Retail Sales Value. Commenting on the results Rob Munro-Hall, Group Managing Director, Bauer Magazine Media UK said: “Bauer Media retains its leading position in the highly competitive TV Listings and True Life markets. We’re extremely proud of our performance this period - TV Choice is the only magazine in the UK to sell over 1 million copies a week and Take a Break’s monthly companion magazine has seen an impressive 25% YOY uplift. We’ve also seen continuing success for our Specialist magazines, particularly our gardening titles Garden News and Garden Answers, whilst Practical Photography is the fastest growing monthly magazine in the UK. These standout performances demonstrate how magazines play a critical role in the lives of our readers, creating meaningful connections in a truly trusted environment. Our world class editorial teams are tireless in ensuring that they have a deep understanding of their audiences, both through insight and instinct. This enables us to deliver content that has a strong cultural impact whatever the passion area and brings readers back every week or month.” Click Read More below for additional information.
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Meredith Corp. Makes the Case for Magazines

Stephen Lacy, executive chairman of Meredith Corp., the magazine publisher and owner of 17 broadcast television stations, has had his share of disappointments. In 2013, he tried to buy a group of magazines from Time Warner Inc., only to see Time Warner spin off all its magazines under the Time Inc. umbrella. Mr. Lacy persisted. Meredith-with its long history of women's service titles that include Better Homes & Gardens, Shape and Allrecipes-appeared the most likely partner for Time Inc., whose properties include such women's brands as Real Simple, InStyle and People. Now, after several years of trying, Mr. Lacy has acquired Time Inc. for $1.85 billion, establishing Meredith as the country's largest magazine publisher. It represents a daring bet on the future of print magazines at a time when print advertising and circulation revenues continue to slump. Click Read More below for additional information.
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O-I’s Containers Achieve Cradle to Cradle Certification

Owens-Illinois, Inc. is the first food and beverage packaging company to achieve a gold rating in material health on the Cradle to Cradle Product Scorecard. The Cradle to Cradle Certified(TM) Products Program is one of the premier sustainability certifications for products around the world and across industries. "The certification provides brand owners, consumers, regulators, and shareholders tangible validation of our company's ongoing commitment to sustainability," said Jim Nordmeyer, VP, Global Sustainability at O-I. "It's an important baseline and helps us identify next steps to improve our environmental and social performance." Nearly 90 percent of O-I's glass operations were certified across product categories and for certain container colors in the beer, non-alcoholic beverage (NAB), spirit, wine and food markets. The certification is based on five categories: material health, material reutilization, water stewardship, renewable energy use, and social fairness. Click Read More below for additional information.
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Verso Announces Plans to Restart Paper Machine in Jay, Maine

Verso Corporation announced plans to upgrade the shuttered pulp line and No. 3 paper machine at its Androscoggin Mill in Jay, Maine, enabling this equipment to restart for the manufacture of packaging products. The paper machine and associated pulping capacity were temporarily idled in January 2017 and shut down in July 2017 as a result of declining demand for the graphic paper products formerly produced on the machine. With an anticipated completion date in the third quarter of this year, this project will help Verso continue to diversify its product mix into growing market segments and is expected to create approximately 120 full-time jobs at the mill and additional jobs throughout the Maine forest products supply chain. The estimated total capital cost of the project is $17 million, $4 million of which will come from a Maine Technology Asset Fund 2.0 challenge grant administered by the Maine Technology Institute. Funds from the grant will be become available as certain milestones in the project are reached. Click Read More below for additional information.
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McClatchy Reports Fourth Quarter 2017 Earnings

Total revenues in the fourth quarter of 2017 were $244.7 million, down 6.7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2016. Headwinds that impacted advertising included a soft holiday retail advertising season and continued declines in print advertising. Adjusted net income, which excludes the items above, was $3.2 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $53.7 million, down 15.0% compared to the fourth quarter last year. Operating expenses were down 6.1% while adjusted operating expenses, which exclude non-cash and certain other charges, were down 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Click Read More below for additional information.
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