Official Board Markets articles from April 2008

Official Board Markets archives from April 2008

Sustainability 'sweet spot' matters.(HEARD AT AF&PA PAPER WEEK)
April 5, 2008... In June 1996, sportswear and equipment supplier Nike found itself in a very uncomfortable position. Life magazine revealed that for a number of years the Portland Ore.-headquartered company had been contracting with factories in China, Vietnam,...

Transacted containerboard prices.
April 5, 2008... Average transacted price levels are tabulated by obtaining paid prices from independent converters purchasing linerboard and medium. All prices are intended as a reference standard only. Transactions may be concluded at any time at any price...

Unisource looks to expand packaging business.
April 5, 2008... Norcross, Ga.-based Unisource Worldwide Inc. plans to increase its presence in the Houston marketplace, primarily focusing on growing its packaging business. "The current market conditions within the packaging distribution industry in...

Paper recycling hits record high.(AF&PA NOW SETS NEW TARGET)
April 5, 2008... In 2007, an all-time high of 56 percent of the paper consumed in America was recovered for recycling, achieving a significant industry goal five years ahead of schedule. In announcing the achievement last week, the American Forest & Paper...

TAPPI adds pre-expo lean manufacturing seminar.(SEPT. 20-21)
April 5, 2008... Slated for Sept. 20-21, the two-day "TAPPI Lean Manufacturing: Machine Calibration and Tooling Course" will immediately precede the opening of SuperCorrExpo 2008, which will occur Sept. 22-26, and the TAPPI Corrugated Packaging Conference...

Newark Group on negative watch.(SAYS S&P RATINGS SERVICES)
April 5, 2008... Standard & Poor's (S&P) Ratings Services places recycled paperboard producer The Newark Group Inc.'s ratings, including the 'B+' corporate credit rating, on negative watch. The ratings action was prompted by the company's poor earnings and...

AICC awards Safe Shop winners.(SAFETY STARS)
April 5, 2008... During AICC's Spring Meeting in Palm Desert at the end of March, AICC presented awards for its Safe Shop competition. The purpose of the Safe Shop competition is to generate a greater awareness, enthusiasm and pride for the safety...

Huston Patterson adds KBA presses.(LARGE-FORMAT UNITS)
April 5, 2008... Huston Patterson Corp. has installed two new fully automated presses from KBA, Williston, Vt. The new Rapida 105 41-in, six-color ultraviolet (UV) or aqueous coating press was installed at Huston Patterson-owned Sigma Graphics in Ottawa, Ill.,...

ICPF inducts two into circle of distinguished leaders.
April 5, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The International Corrugated Packaging Foundation (ICPF) inducted two individuals into its inaurgual Circle of Distinguished Leaders during the Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC) Spring Meeting...

TAPPI offers exhibitor service kits.(SUPERCORREXPO[R] 2008)
April 5, 2008... Exhibitor service kits for SuperCorrExpo 2008 are now available to all exhibitors. A link to the service kits, or exhibitor service manuals, has been distributed to all confirmed exhibitor contacts. Registered exhibitors who may not have...

Amtech to host Imaginera forecasting seminar.(APRIL 23-24)
April 5, 2008... Amtech Software is presenting a training seminar, "MRP & Inventory Control (Forecasting)," on April 23-24. It will take place at the Sheraton Read House Hotel in Chattanooga, Tenn. Attendees will learn the features in Imaginera that allow users...

Laminations[R].(People Update)
April 5, 2008... Laminations[R], part of Great Northern Corp.'s Specialty Group, promotes Sherry Coffman to inside sales/customer service representative. In her new position, she is responsible for providing assistance with pricing, orders, product samples, and...

Transacted boxboard prices.
April 5, 2008... Transacted Boxboard Prices The prices tabulated here are intended only as a reference standard to the current levels commonly prevailing in a representative proportion of the U.S. contract transactions. The prices listed do not connote...

FBA/AICC releases award winners.(OCCUPATIONAL INJURY REPORT)
April 5, 2008... A new report from the Fibre Box Association and the Association of Independent Corrugated Converters, the 2007 FBA/AICC Corrugated Container Industry Annual Report of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, has found a continued decrease in...

RadTech sessions focus on sustainable packaging.(UV/EB CURABLE INKS/COATINGS)
April 5, 2008... At RadTech UV&EB Technology Expo & Conference, taking place May 5-7 in Chicago, a session on May 5 will discuss the role ultraviolet (UV) and electron beam (EB) curable inks/coatings play within sustainable packaging. In addition, a session on...

Transacted paper stock prices--low grades.
April 5, 2008... Transacted Paper Stock Prices--Low Grades Mixed Boxboard Paper Cuttings News (1) (4) (6) Chicago $85-90 (0) ...

Domestic OCC prices stabilize.(MARKET REPORT)
April 5, 2008... The U.S. recovered paper industry's continuing struggle to find containers to ship materials overseas has led to a significant dent in export old corrugated container (OCC) pricing. You would think that this would lead to a similar drop in...

AICC to host financial seminar.(JUNE 12-13)
April 5, 2008... The Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC) will once again offer its School for Financial Managers & Controllers. The two-day program will be held Thursday and Friday, June 12-13, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Englewood, N.J....

Transacted paper stock prices--high grades.
April 5, 2008... Transacted Paper Stock Prices--High Grades For detailed chart explanation, see page 11 White Coated New DLK News Soft Wht. Cuttings ...

Paper and board capacity will decline.(THIS YEAR, SAYS AF&PA)
April 5, 2008... Paper and paperboard capacity will decline 0.7 percent this year before rebounding 0.2 percent in 2009 and 0.3 percent in 2010, reports the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA). For the entire three-year period, capacity is projected to...

FTS provides free flexo training for students, teachers.(IN SOUTH CAROLINA)
April 5, 2008... The Flexo Trade School (FTS) in Fort Mill, S.C., is offering free training for high school and college students, as well as their teachers. "The training and certification of highly qualified young people for the flexo industry is our No....

Michelman creates new corporate brochure.(BRAND IDENTITY)(Brief article)
April 5, 2008... A new four-page brochure from Cincinnati-based Michelman is designed to communicate the company's brand position and identity, as well as overall company capabilities. The ways in which Michelman helps its customers capture new market...

MWU installs sheeter at Iggesund.(SHEETPRO UNIT)(MarquipWardUnited)(Iggesund Deoupe France S.A.)(Brief article)
April 5, 2008... MarquipWardUnited has completed the successful installation of its SheetPro sheeter at Iggesund Deoupe France S.A., a member of the Holmen Group. This will be the second MarquipWardUnited sheeter installed at the Iggesund plant in...

AIM's Signature[TM] installs ninth unit at Paris Packaging.(FOLDER-GLUERS)
April 5, 2008... Paris Packaging Inc., Paris, Texas, has installed its ninth Signature[TM] folder-gluer to further enhance production capacity and reduce downtime. According to the manufacturer, Signature folder-gluers install with ease and allow the company to...

Harper Corp. of America.(People Updates)
April 5, 2008... Ken Jones joins Charlotte, N.C.-based Harper Corp. of America as a technical account manager. He will be based in Huntley, Ill., and will work with customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and northern Indiana. Jones brings a decade of...

Stork Prints America.(People Updates)(appointment of Danny Sheikh)(Brief article)
April 5, 2008... Danny Sheikh, a 13-year company veteran, has been appointed executive vice president of Stork Prints America, Charlotte, N.C. His most recent position was with Stork Prints Pakistan where, as managing director since 2001, he helped strengthen...

Carton market to steady itself.(IN 2009 AND BEYOND)
April 12, 2008... Folding carton sales dollars grew 3.7 percent in 2007 and are expected to rise 5.5 percent a year through 2010, reports the Paperboard Packaging Council's (PPC) Industry Outlook and Market Data Report. PPC Chairman Tony Petrelli, president and...

Newark Group might close Franklin boxboard.
April 12, 2008... The Middletown Journal reports that The Newark Group, based in Cranford, N.J., could close its Franklin Boxboard Corp. in Franklin, Ohio, on June 2. It all depends on whether hourly workers will agree on a new contract that would reduce pay....

Transacted containerboard prices.
April 12, 2008... Average transacted price levels are tabulated by obtaining paid prices from independent converters purchasing linerboard and medium. All prices are intended as a reference standard only. Transactions may be concluded at any time at any price...

MWV agrees to sell mill to KapStone.(IN SOUTH CAROLINA)
April 12, 2008... Last week Richmond, Va.-based MeadWestvaco Corp. reached a definitive agreement to sell its kraft paper mill in North Charleston, S.C., and related assets to KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp. for $485 million in cash, subject to certain...

PPC competition showcases true innovators.(ALL PACKAGING, GREAT WESTERN INDUSTRIES)
April 12, 2008... All Packaging Co., Aurora, Colo., won the Paperboard Packaging Council's (PPC) President's Award in its 65th National Paperboard Packaging Competition. The company won for its Brain Toniq beverage packaging. The judges said the package's look...

Boise completes linerboard expansion.(IN DERIDDER, LA.)
April 12, 2008... Last month Boise Inc., Boise, Idaho, finished its 50,000-ton linerboard expansion at its mill in DeRidder, La., adding capacity and reducing fuel use. However, it notes that substantial cost increases are being experienced, particularly in the...

OCC takes 'Jumbo' leap ahead.(WITH RAPIDEX)(Brief article)
April 12, 2008... Corrugados De Baja California, a Tijuana, Mexico-based division of Orange County Container Corp., recently installed the Rapidex RapidSet Jumbo finishing machine. The 66 by 177-in., 4-color flexo folder-gluer is configured with dual slotting...

SuperCorrExpo[R] 2008 nearly sold out.(90 PERCENT PLUS)(Brief article)
April 12, 2008... Exhibit space for SuperCorrExpo 2008 is more than 90 percent sold out, and sales remain brisk. The Sept. 22-26 exhibition will feature the latest innovation and technology in the corrugated container industry. The recent economic news does not...

Total containerboard inventories rise.(AF&PA REVEALS)
April 12, 2008... Total containerboard inventories (box plants and mills combined) rose 1.2 percent between the end of January and the end of February, the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) reports. Specifically, they went from 2,450,900 tons at the...

Gibraltar Packaging faces lawsuit.(OVER ROSMAR DEAL)(Brief article)
April 12, 2008... Bloomberg.com reports that Hastings, Neb.-based Gibraltar Packaging Group Inc. is being "sued by an investor attempting to halt its sale to a Canadian rival." According to Bloomberg, Gibraltar announced March 13 that it would be acquired...

Recycled board will experience modest increases.(FOLDING CARTONS)
April 12, 2008... In its recently-released 48th Annual Survey of Paper, Paperboard, and Pulp Capacity, the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) states that the decline in recycled paperboard capacity last year followed a string of declines that began in...

Equipment interest rate index.
April 12, 2008... Current monthly payments for 100 percent financing for 84 months on $1.0 million range from $14,245 to $14,998 depending on credit strength and equipment being purchased. [GRAPHIC OMITTED]

Producer price indexes--1982=100.(Statistical table)(Brief article)
April 12, 2008... Producer Price Indexes--1982=100 Year Dec Jan Feb 2006/2007 2007 2008 2008 Total Paperboard 192.0/201.7 209.4 209.4 209.5...

Paperboard mill performance.
April 12, 2008... Paperboard Mill Performance U.S. paperboard production by furnish, current and cumulative totals in 1000 short tons, as reported by the American Forest & Paper Association. Unbleached ...

Transacted paper stock prices--low grades.
April 12, 2008... Transacted Paper Stock Prices--Low Grades Mixed Boxboard Paper Cuttings News (1) (4) (6) Chicago $85-90...

OBM will start publishing Chicago OCC export prices.(NEXT MONTH)
April 12, 2008... For the past few years Official Board Markets (OBM) has been publishing old corrugated container (OCC) export prices for New York and Los Angeles. This move was made to better reflect the impact of mills in China and India (to name just a...

Containerboard consolidation could continue.(PROFIT SQUEEZE)
April 12, 2008... International Paper's (IP) $6 billion purchase of Weyerhaeuser Co.'s packaging assets last month was the first large deal among North American containerboard makers in a long while, but it's unlikely to spell an end to consolidation in the...

AF&PA calls for swift approval of trade agreement.(WITH COLUMBIA)
April 12, 2008... The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) is urging Congress to approve the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA) quickly, maintaining that this pact would benefit the U.S. forest and paper industry and advance the economic...

Transacted paper stock prices--high grades.
April 12, 2008... Transacted Paper Stock Prices--High Grades White Coated Hard New DLK News Soft Wht. White Cuttings Blanks Shavings ...

Rocky Mountain Recycling survives fire.(IN UTAH)
April 12, 2008... According to The Spectrum, a St. George, Utah, newspaper, large bundles of recycled paper and paperboard at the local Rocky Mountain Recycling plant caught fire April 2. Twelve firefighters responded with one engine truck and one ladder truck....

IADD/FSEA choose Atlanta to host 2009 Odyssey.(MAY 6-8)
April 12, 2008... The International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking (IADD) and the Foil Stamping and Embossing Association (FSEA) have chosen the site for the 2009 IADD/FSEA Odyssey--the only trade exhibition targeted specifically to diecutting,...

Talent search can never end.(SAYS SSCC'S KLINGER)
April 12, 2008... You would think that Steve Klinger, president and chief operating officer, Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. (SSCC), Chicago, spends most of his time studying financial reports, visiting mills and box plants, and handling administrative duties. But...

Branham 300 list names VantagePoint.(TOP IT COMPANIES)
April 12, 2008... Vancouver, British Columbia-based VantagePoint Systems Inc. has been included on this year's Branham 300 listing, the most comprehensive listing of publicly traded and privately held information technology (IT) companies in Canada. Other...

Smurfit-Stone plans plant expansion.(IN ILLINOIS)
April 12, 2008... The Belleville (Ill.) Nears-Democrat reports that Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. plans to expand its Highland, Ill. box plant by razing its century-old brick building to make way for a more modern structure. The large metal building that also...

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.(People Updates)
April 12, 2008... Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. appoints Paul McCann vice president and general manager, Asia, and names David Harrison vice president of strategic sourcing. Expanding the company's global focus, particularly in Asia, is a key Smurfit-Stone...

PRI Group LLC.(People Updates)
April 12, 2008... Steve Lavinder joins PRI Group LLC as a senior recovered paper and plastic broker. He joins the Northlake, Ill.-based company with more than 25 years of experience in the recovered paper industry, the last four of which he spent at Metro...

SUN Automation Group.(People Updates)(retirement of Ted Hartka)(Brief article)
April 12, 2008... Ted Hartka, president, SUN Automation Group, Sparks, Md., is retiring after almost 50 years in the corrugated container industry. He will stay on as senior vice president to ensure a smooth transition. Jeff Peterson is the company's new...

Mark Andy Inc.(People Updates)
April 12, 2008... Ken Daming is named finishing equipment sales manager at Mark Andy Inc. In this new role, he will work alongside regional sales managers to promote the St. Louis-based company's line of finishing equipment, focusing specifically on the Verify...

MarquipWardUnited.(People Updates)
April 12, 2008... MarquipWardUnited promotes John Schultz to vice president, aftermarket sales. He joined Barry-Wehmiller in 1978 and has worked in a variety of capacities in engineering and customer service. He became director of aftermarket sales for...

Can cooler corrugating cut costs?(GETTING ENERGY EFFICIENT)
April 19, 2008... With corn now costing more than $6 per bushel and oil at $113 a barrel (and climbing), controlling energy costs is on the mind of every corrugator plant throughout this country. Why? The average corrugator consumes an enormous amount of energy....

Franklin Boxboard avoids shutdown.
April 19, 2008... The Middletown (Ohio) Journal reports that Franklin Boxboard Corp. will remain open. Official Board Markets first reported the mill's owner, Cranford, N.J.-based The Newark Group, might shut down the 82-employee recycled board mill in the April...

Transacted containerboard prices.
April 19, 2008... Average transacted price levels are tabulated by obtaining paid prices from independent converters purchasing linerboard and medium. All prices are intended as a reference standard only. Transactions may be concluded at any time at any...

Cascades battles market challenges.(GOOD TIMES ARE OVER)
April 19, 2008... Alain Lemaire, president and ceo, Cascades Inc., Montreal, is telling his employees and investors the good times are over, reports The Gazette. Now is the time to fight. Five years ago the paperboard manufacturer had $3.5 billion in sales and...

Metro Waste earns supplier recognition.(FROM CATALYST PAPER)
April 19, 2008... Catalyst Paper's Paper Recycling Division (PRD) has named Metro Waste Paper Recovery as the recipient of its 2007 Supplier of the Year Award. Metro Waste is the only supplier to have earned this recognition for the third time. In a related...

AICC Mtg. educational sessions out.('LIVE LEARNING CENTER')(Brief article)
April 19, 2008... The Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC) has introduced the 2008 Spring Meeting Live Learning Center. The AICC Live Learning Center contains an innovative repository of the eye opener and general sessions from the 2008 Spring...

China industry to improve, report says.(MARGINS REBOUND)
April 19, 2008... AsiaPulse reveals that investment strategy reports for the second quarter, newly released by securities research institutes in China, widely favor stocks of the domestic paper making industry, largely on the ground of environmental protection...

Hodges optimistic about PT Paper.(NEW CEO)
April 19, 2008... According to an article in the Port Townsend (Wash.) Leader, new Port Townsend Paper Corp. President and CEO Charles Hodges is optimistic about the future. "We've got a challenge on our hands, but I'm looking forward to it, personally,"...

Phoenix challenge to host two events.(AT FFTA FORUM)(Brief article)
April 19, 2008... The Phoenix Challenge Foundation, a non-profit foundation dedicated to growing flexo through education and awareness, will be hosting two events to further its cause. Both the Phoenix Challenge College Competition and the Annual Phoenix...

Smurfit Kappa Ireland selects core business software.(FROM VANTAGEPOINT)
April 19, 2008... Vancouver, British Columbia-based VantagePoint Systems will implement its Business VantagePoinff[TM] software in three corrugated box plants and seven specialty packaging plants of Smurfit Kappa Ireland. Business VantagePoint is an...

Chicago TAPPI to host trade show.(ON MAY 6)
April 19, 2008... Chicago TAPPI's afternoon trade fair will occur from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. May 6 at the Marriott Oak Brook, Oak Brook, Ill. At press time, 45 suppliers wcrc scheduled to be on hand at the event, which includes free hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar....

Sliding safety chucks.(Product Update)(Brief article)
April 19, 2008... According to Double E International, its sliding safety chucks arc safer, easier to operate, and more rugged than tilting designs. The chucks can be flange- or foot-mounted, fixed or with sidelay adjustment. Sidelay adjustment chucks and rotary...

Cosmetic container growth will accelerate.(FREEDONIA GROUP REPORTS)
April 19, 2008... According to the Cleveland-based The Freedonia Group Inc., U.S. demand for cosmetic and toiletry containers is projected to increase 2.8 percent per year to 25.5 billion units in 2012. Container ad vances will reflect accelerating growth in...

Fitch assigns Nine Dragons Paper 'BBB-'.(STABLE OUTLOOK)
April 19, 2008... Thomson Financial reports that "Fitch Ratings assigned a long-term foreign currency issuer default rating (IDR) of'BBB-,' with stable outlook, to China-based Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Ltd." The Chinese containerboard producer is...

Bell grows judiciously.(MAINTAINING HIGH STANDARDS)
April 19, 2008... Over the past couple of years Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Bell Inc. has experienced significant growth, adding new accounts such as Barilla Pasta and Wells' Dairy. "We actually turned down business this past fall," says Ben Graham, vice...

Equipment interest rate index.
April 19, 2008... Current monthly payments for 100 percent financing for 84 months on $1.0 million range from $14,245 to $14,998 depending on credit strength and equipment being purchased. [GRAPHIC OMITTED]

Clemson, FFTA to host flexography seminar.(DIGITAL PROOFING)
April 19, 2008... The 2007 installments of Clemson University's "Digital Proofing for Flexography" seminar was so popular that this year South Carolina University's Department of Graphic Communications has once again scheduled it for twin sessions to ensure the...

Caribbean Packaging upgrades to HRMS Gen/2.(IN TRINIDAD)
April 19, 2008... Caribbean Packaging Industries of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, has upgraded its business software to Rohde Software Gen/2, the latest version of HRMS Inc.'s core business software for corrugated packaging manufacturers. According to the...

Eska receives FSC certification.(FOR RECYCLED BOARD)(Brief article)
April 19, 2008... The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has certified Eskaboard, Eskapuzzle, Eskamono, and Eskaduo--making the manufacturer of these brands, Eska Graphic Board, the first graphic board producer to acquire the FSC certificate for recycled board...

Maersk plans rate increase.(SHIPPING COSTS MOUNT)(Brief article)
April 19, 2008... Shipping line Maersk, Madison, N.J., is telling its customers that effective May 1 there will be a general rate increase implemented for all dry cargo, including recovered paper. This increase will affect U.S. origin cargo destined for many...

RecycleBank adds $30 million.(TO OWN BANK)
April 19, 2008... Incentive-based recycling rewards company RecycleBank, Philadelphia, has raised $30 million in funding via numerous venture capital firms, reports Resource Recycling. Hartford, Conn., is the latest municipality to join its program, with...

Amtech installs new biz at Boxes Inc.(IN ST. LOUIS)
April 19, 2008... NewBiz, Amtech's sales force automation and workflow software, is being installed at St. Louis-based Boxes Inc. NewBiz provides a sales force solution combining industry-standard tools with an easy-to-use Microsoft[R] Office Outlook...

Diamond Packaging wins Environmental Leadership Award.(IN ROCHESTER, N.Y.)
April 19, 2008... On April 8, Diamond Packaging was recognized as one of Rochester, N.Y.'s greenest companies during a luncheon event sponsored by the Rochester Business Journal and Bank of America at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. The Rochester...

Transacted paper stock prices--low grades.
April 19, 2008... Transacted Paper Stock Prices--Low Grades Mixed Boxboard Paper Cuttings News (1) (4) (6) Chicago $85-90 (0) ...

AICC region 7 to host meeting.(JUNE 26-27)
April 19, 2008... Region 7 of the Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC) will hold its meeting and golf outing event June 26-27 at the South Bend (Ind.) Marriott Hotel. On June 26, attendees will take a plant tour of sheet feeder Five Star...

Transacted paper stock prices--high grades.
April 19, 2008... Transacted Paper Stock Prices--High Grades For detailed chart explanation, see page 11 White Coated New DLK News Soft Wht. Cuttings ...

AICC confirms executive leadership forum speaker, webinar.(MAY EVENTS)
April 19, 2008... Christopher Mercer, ASA, CFA will present "Wealth Creation, Asset Management and Estate Planning" at the Association of Independent Corrugated Converters' (AICC's) Independent Business Leadership Executives Forum. The Forum will occur May 12-13...

Act would hurt mill water supply.(SAYS AF&PA)
April 19, 2008... The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) is expressing concern that S.1870, the Clean Water Restoration Act, would dramatically change the scope of the Clean Water Act and "could have potentially adverse consequences for private forest...

UCrate[R] offers new packaging choice.(FOR LONG, NARROW OBJECTS)
April 19, 2008... Laminations[R], a part of Great Northern Corp., has introduced UCrate[R], a cost-effective, sustainable choice for protecting long and narrow products during shipping and handling. UCrate consists of seamless U-shaped channels that fit...