Official Board Markets articles from March 2006

Official Board Markets archives from March 2006

Should outsourcing be in? Two equipment vendors take opposing views on this issue, but are working for the same outcome: Success.(3RD PARTY DESIGN AND ENGINEERING)
March 4, 2006... The early 1990s were fat and happy times for converters and their equipment suppliers. Companies could take a wrong turn in engineering or design and survive the ramifications. Not any more. The industry has fewer resources and with all the...

Transacted containerboard prices.
March 4, 2006... 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...

More integrateds plan price hikes.
March 4, 2006... In the past couple of weeks additional integrated containerboard producers have told their customers that they would be raising their prices later this month or early next. Pratt Industries is planning to increase its prices by $50 per ton,...

SSCC to close another box plant.
March 4, 2006... Herrin, Ill.-based Orpack-Stone Corp., a subsidiary of Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., Chicago, will close in May. The corrugator/box plant employs 17 salaried and 38 hourly workers. "We are basically looking at our container operations,"...

Roman Corp. sells Boehmer Box.(TO FR KITCHENER)
March 4, 2006... Roman Corp. Ltd., Toronto, will sell its Boehmer Box and Swathcona Paper businesses to FR Kitchener LLC, a subsidiary of Forest Resources LLC. Terms were not disclosed. Forest Resources is engaged in the manufacture and sale of paper and...

Baseball CD partners with paperboard: Disk Box Slider gives interviews with baseball greats a nostalgic feel.(HALL OF FAMERS)
March 4, 2006... One day in January 2005, Nick Piornack, executive vice president, Ingage, Durham, N.C., received a phone call from Dale Shellman, a former minor league baseball player who lived 30 miles away. Piornack's company markets CD projects. "He...

Greif, Inc.(People Update)
March 4, 2006... Greif, Inc., Delaware, Ohio, elects Bruce Edwards to the board of directors. He replaces David Olderman, who retired as of the end of his term. Edwards is coo, Americas/Asia Pacific for Deutsche Post World Net (DHL), responsible for contract...

Nine Dragons IPO is very popular.(WILL CONTINUE TO GROW)
March 4, 2006... Nine Dragons Paper Ltd., China's largest containerboard maker, is demanding and getting premium prices for its shares in its $438 million initial public offering, reports Dow Jones. It began trading last week in Hong Kong. It is the biggest IPO...

Groveton Paper Board closes.(IN N.H.)
March 4, 2006... Groveton Paper Board, Groveton, N.H., a maker of semichemical corrugating medium, dosed its doors last week, letting go about 100 employees. Mill executives say that it dosed because of high energy costs.

Greif up slightly in Q1.(ENDED JAN. 31)(Financial report)
March 4, 2006... Greif, Inc., Delaware, Ohio, reports gross profit of $89.7 million in its first quarter of 2006, which ended on Jan. 31, compared to $88.7 million for the same quarter last year. Net sales rose slightly to $582.3 million in the first quarter,...

SSCC, Texas Instruments test Gen-2 RFID box straps.(AT RFID WORLD)
March 4, 2006... Texas Instruments Inc. and Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. (SSCC) demonstrated the first Electronic Product Code (EPC) Generation 2 radio frequency identification (RFID) strap-on-box prototypes last week at RFID World 2006 in Dallas. Using...

Transacted boxboard prices.
March 4, 2006... 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...

Shorewood and GPI add metallic printing process.(METALFX)
March 4, 2006... New York-based Shorewood Packaging, a division of International Paper, and Graphic Packaging International (GPI), Atlanta, have added MetalFX[R] Technology to their printing effects capabilities. The technology, licensed to Shorewood and...

DOT installs folder-gluers.(FROM AIM)
March 4, 2006... DOT Packaging of Batavia, Ill., installed two Signature Premier 90 folder-gluers from American International Machinery, Oak Creek, Wis. The Premier 90 machine offers three-carrier construction throughout, electronically controlled glue pots,...

Esko places platesetter at Mark/Trece.(ADVANCE 5080)
March 4, 2006... Esko, Vandalia, Ohio, installed a Cyrel Digital Imager (CDI) Advance 5080 platesetter at Mark/Trece, Joppa, Md. Mark/Trece offers its customers platemaking and prepress services, total concept development, including graphic design, print...

Chicago OCC price rises.(LACK OF GENERATION)
March 4, 2006... The $10 per ton OCC price increase in Chicago is generation-driven, as a number of board mills in this region (while not panicking yet) are making phone calls, looking for tons. OCC ton shrinkage is normal this time of year as tons from the...

Timberland to get greener.(WITH NEW PACKAGING)
March 4, 2006... The Timberland Co., Stratham, N.H., will introduce a footwear packaging initiative that reduces Timberland's environmental impact and provides consumers with new information to help guide them in the purchase process. The effort, which the...

New Packaging Co. formed.(OUT OF MENASHA)
March 4, 2006... Mid South Packaging LLC, formerly known as Menasha Packaging LLC, Southern Complex, was formed when Coridel Capital Partners LP completed the acquisition of the assets of both the Cullman, Ala., and Olive Branch, Miss., plants from Menasha on...

Rigid Box revenues jumped in Midwest.(IN JANUARY)(Brief article)
March 4, 2006... Rigid box revenues improved 6.42 percent this January compared to the same month in 2005, according the National Paperbox Association's billed sales statistical program. Revenues totaled $3,440,806 in January 2006 compared to $3,233,356 last...

VantagePoint to explain HRMS transformation.(AT AICC MEETING)
March 4, 2006... VantagePoint Systems, Inc., Vancouver, will host a guest suite at the Association of Independent Corrugated Converters 2006 Spring Meeting in Las Vegas. VantagePoint and recently-acquired HRMS invite all meeting participants to visit the...

Kiwiplan hosts single-company user group meeting.(FOR SSCC)
March 4, 2006... Late last year, Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. (SSCC), Chicago, requested Kiwiplan to host a company-specific user group meeting to identify ways to maximize the company's investment and use of the Kiwiplan software products. SSCC standardizes...

Longview Fibre Co.(People Update)
March 4, 2006... Longview Fibre Co., Longview, Wash., promoted Nathan Dyke to manger of the Cedar City, Utah, container plant. Dyke transferred from the company's Grand Forks, N.D., facility where he was superindendent.

Learn to convert a profit.(MACHINE HOUR RATE WORKSHOP)
March 4, 2006... Converter's Resource, Inc. offers its workshop on Machine Hour Rates and Profit Planning Fundamentals May 1-2 near Hartford, Conn. "Our class is designed to work for any converting company using any computer system or even a manual...

ASURYS, RFID4U offer training.(RFID TECHNOLOGY)
March 4, 2006... ASURYS[TM] and RFID4U[TM] have partnered to offer CompTIA RFID+[TM] certification training. There is an increasing need for education and certification around RFID technology, but most training companies have put their certification training on...

Gibraltar goes with KBA press.(RAPIDA 142)
March 4, 2006... KBA North America, Williston, Vt., recently installed a Rapida 142 56-in. seven-color sheetfed press at Gibraltar Packaging Group, Inc., Hastings, Neb. The new press includes such automation as automatic presets on the feeder and delivery;...

Flexo resource released.(FROM FFTA)
March 4, 2006... FLEXO[R] Magazine releases "The Beginner Flexographer--Volume X." This guidebook is an anthology of 26 articles that originally appeared in the 2004-2005 issues of the magazine. In addition to the typical "how-to" instructional articles,...

How to be a high-graphics pro.(AT CHICAGO TAPPI)
March 4, 2006... "The Reality of Advanced Graphics" will be discussed in detail at Chicago TAPPI's next meeting, March 7 at the Wyndham Drake Hotel, Oak Brook, Ill. Speakers this evening include Roger Poteet, president, Poteet Printing Systems; Jeff...

Access Montalvo manuals on web.(EQUIPMENT)
March 4, 2006... The Montalvo Corp., Gorham, Maine, put all of its web controller manuals on the Internet for easy customer access. The manuals are available at www.montalvo.com. For more information, call 800-226-8710.

Corrugated Printing Cylinders.(Product Update)
March 4, 2006... Bunting Magnetic Corrugated Printing Cylinders ease mounting and registration and do not require hooks, straps or staples. Permanent magnets built into the cylinders hold steel-backed plates or carriers firmly in place. The cylinders eliminate...

Link customers to info loop: Bob Pordon, newly appointed CEO of Bobst Group USA, intends to continue making converters part of the company's information supply chain.(THE NEW SUPPLIER MANDATE)
March 4, 2006... Last week, Robert Pordon became Bobst Group USA's ceo. This is a fitting time and place for someone of his background to take command of a leading equipment supplier to corrugated and folding carton converters. Pordon joined the company in 1980...

Weyerhaeuser.(People Update)
March 4, 2006... Jeanne Hillman has been elected vice president, corporate controller and chief accounting officer, at Weyerhaeuser, Federal Way, Wash.

Schiffenhaus applies new software.(FIRST ON ITS BLOCK)
March 4, 2006... Schiffenhaus Packaging Corp., Newark, N.J., was honored with Amtech's Vision Award in recognition of its innovative spirit in being the first to implement Amtech's New Biz Workflow System. Schiffenhaus went live with the system last August. ...

Inks for wide-format digital printing.(Product Update)
March 4, 2006... Sun Chemical is launching a line of inkjet inks for wide-format digital printing to be sold in the North American aftermarket. It will market these products under the Streamline[TM] brand. The inks, both solvent and water-based, can be used for...

MeadWestvaco.(People Update)
March 4, 2006... MeadWestvaco, Stamford, Conn., names Mark V. Gulling president, global business services. His responsibilities include leading the company's global internal services operations, including shared services for human resources, finance, logistics,...

American Containers, Inc.(People Update)
March 4, 2006... American Containers, Inc., Plymouth, Ind., promotes Wayne Cooper from plant production manager to general manager of the company's Midwestern Division. Cooper has been with American Containers for 14 years. He assumes sales management duties....

Michelman.(Talia Collins and Michelle Nilsen joined)(Brief article)
March 4, 2006... Two new chemists join Michelman, Cincinnati, as the company focuses on research and development in preparing to expand its product offerings. Talia Collins has assumed the position of senior research chemist responsible for new business...

MAN Roland.(People Update)
March 4, 2006... Len Cammalleri is MAN Roland's new district sales manager in New York and New Jersey, assigned to help printers in the region improve their profitability through the use of advanced pressroom technology.

Obituary.(Obituary)
March 4, 2006... Corrugated Replacements, Inc. Inside Sales Representative Don Kemp died Feb. 20. He was 60. Kemp had worked at CRI for more than 13 years and recently had been named salesperson of the year for 2005.

Customer intimacy key to success: future rests in meeting them eye-to-eye.(HEARD AT CCCA ANNUAL CONFERENCE)
March 11, 2006... James Duncan is optimistic about the corrugated converter's lot in life these days. As the keynoter for this year's Canadian Corrugated Case Association (CCCA) Conference, held last week at Toronto's Doubletree International Plaza Hotel, his...

Transacted containerboard prices.
March 11, 2006... Transacted Containerboard Prices 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...

Integrated 10-Ks paint fuller picture.
March 11, 2006... Last week a couple of companies released their 10-K forms. Highlights from Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.'s 10-K include: * It expects to close up to 20 percent of its corrugated box plants by the end of 2008; * Its revenue growth...

Southern completes Schiffenhaus purchase.(WILL MAINTAIN BRAND)
March 11, 2006... Last week Southern Container Corp., Hauppauge, N.Y., completed its acquisition of Schiffenhaus Industries, Newark, N.J. It will continue to maintain the Schiffenhaus brand by operating both of that company's box plants (Newark and Suffern,...

Smurfit Kappa to cut 800 jobs.(BY MID-SUMMER)
March 11, 2006... Smurfit Kappa Group, Dublin, Ireland, continues its post-merger rationalization plan. It will cut 800 jobs by closing three corrugated box plants, five paper mills, and a research and development center by the middle of the summer, reports...

CPGs upping P-O-P budgets.(SURVEY SAYS)(Survey)
March 11, 2006... The data collected from P-O-P Times magazine's 2006 P-O-P Trends Report tell a good story for converters and other display suppliers. When asked what areas of their marketing budgets were receiving greater emphasis, 47 percent of all...

South American converter installs an AIM.(FOLDER-GLUER)
March 11, 2006... Impresos El Dia LTDA of Medellin, Columbia, installs a Signature Premier 70 folder-gluer from American International Machinery (AIM). The Premier model 70 machine offers three-carrier construction throughout, electronically controlled glue...

Amtech honors customer.(IN MINNESOTA)
March 11, 2006... Amtech, Bensalem, Pa., awards Minnesota Corrugated Box its Vision Award. The award recognizes the company for its "innovative spirit" as an inaugural implementer of Amtech's New Biz Workflow System. Minnesota Corrugated installed the software...

CCI adds logistics/supply division.(FOR FACTORY SUPPLIES)
March 11, 2006... Corrugated Chemicals, Inc. (CCI), Knoxville, Tenn., a corrugator and starch room product supplier, has added a new logistics and supply division for controlling inventory and distribution costs for a range of factory supplies. The division is...

IP gets peer recognition.(MOST ADMIRED)
March 11, 2006... International Paper (IP), Stamford, Conn., was named by Fortune magazine as the No. 1 company for the Forest and Paper Products sector in the magazine's annual report of "America's Most Admired Companies." The company also received the...

Antistatic additive.(Product Update)
March 11, 2006... ADM Tronics Unlimited, Inc., Northvale, N.J., offers an antistatic additive, Staticon 452, for all water-based liquids. The product's polymeric structure is designed to create an electrolyte lattice formation that has conductive properties in...

Shrink packaging machines.(Product Update)
March 11, 2006... POLYPACK's FIL series total closure shrink packaging machines accommodate a variety of products, including paper rolls and stacks of knocked down corrugated boxes. Equipment provides total closure wrapping through the use of form/fill/seal...

Broccoli study proves CCF cheaper than RPCs.(THROUGHOUT SUPPLY CHAIN)
March 11, 2006... A new study conducted by Heads Up Systems, Inc., West Linn, Ore., concluded that shipping iceless broccoli in Corrugated Common Footprint (CCF) containers saves retailers and grower/shippers 27 percent in total supply-chain costs, compared to...

Transacted paper stock prices--low grades.
March 11, 2006... Transacted Paper Stock Prices--Low Grades Mixed Boxboard Paper Cuttings News (1) (4) (6) Chicago $40-45 (+5) ...

Longview studies and rejects offer.(EYED BY INVESTMENT FIRMS)
March 11, 2006... The Campbell Group and Obsidian Finance Group have unveiled a proposal to buy Longview Fibre, Longview, Wash., for $26 a share. The Campbell Group is one of the world's largest timber investment firms and wants to acquire Longview Fibre's...

Recovered paper exports rise in '05.(CHINA STAYS AT NO. 1)
March 11, 2006... Last year's recovered paper exports from the U.S. hit just over 14.6 million metric tons, a 13.3 percent rise from the previous year, reports the U.S. Department of Commerce. China remains the king of U.S. recovered paper consumption. It...

Barberry Homes buys Natick property.(OWNED BY NEWARK GROUP)
March 11, 2006... Barberry Homes is the prospective buyer of the 6.3 acre site of Natick Paperboard, Natick, Mass. The property is currently owned by The Newark Group, Cranford, N.J. Town officials believe that they have a say in the rezoning of the property....

AICC offers design, sales training.(IN MAY AND JUNE)
March 11, 2006... The Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC) has scheduled two new programs for 2006: the first Designers' Workshop, May 11-12, in Chicago, and the revised Sales Managers' Forum, June 1-3, in Dallas/Ft. Worth. The two-day...

Nine Dragons issues IPO overallotment.($63 MILLION)
March 11, 2006... The underwriters of Nine Dragons Paper (holdings) Ltd., China's largest containerboard maker by output, have exercised a $63 million overallotment option in its Hong Kong initial public offering after strong investor demand. The company has...

Transacted paper stock prices--high grades.
March 11, 2006... Transacted Paper Stock Prices--High Grades White Coated Hard New DLK News Soft Wht. White Cuttings Blanks Shavings ...

Rock-Tenn plant hits production milestone.(300 MILLION IMPRESSIONS)
March 11, 2006... Rock-Tenn Co.'s Kimball, Tenn., folding carton plant has surpassed 300 million impressions on a single Mitsubishi sheeffed press--a 51-in. folding carton press. Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses presented a special "300 Million Impressions Club"...

Web Handling/Converting seminar dates set.(FOUR SESSIONS)
March 11, 2006... Seminars For Engineers USA, a division of Sensor Products LLC USA, released its 2006 "Web Handling and Converting" seminar schedule. Focusing on tension control, roller design, spreading, and wrinkling in web handling, and converting topics...

PSI plans spring reception.(DURING PAPER WEEK)
March 11, 2006... Paper Stock Industries (PSI) has set its spring reception for Monday, April 10 at the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel, New York City. It will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Terrace Park Avenue Cocktail Lounge. Earlier that day, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., PSI...

Facing high-graphics reality.(HEARD AT CHICAGO TAPPI)
March 11, 2006... The 81 attendees at last week's Chicago TAPPI's meeting in Oak Brook, Ill., heard three speakers shoot straight about what it takes today to successfully print on corrugated board. The presentations were followed by a lively and frank question...

Metso to rebuild M-real linerboard machine.(IN FINLAND)
March 11, 2006... M-real Corp.'s Kemiart Liners in Kemi, Finland, has enlisted Metso Paper to rebuild its BM 1 linerboard machine. The upgraded machine will start up in August 2006. The value of the agreement is about $5.96 million (5 million [euro]). Kemi...

Solve corrugator problems.(IN MAY)
March 11, 2006... ELR, Inc., Charlotte, N.C., will conduct a seminar entitled "Providing Solutions to Corrugator Problems" on May 22-25. The seminar will be held at the Four Points by Sheraton Milwaukee North Hotel, Milwaukee. The training will focus on...

Anderson & Vreeland, Inc.(People Update)
March 11, 2006... Anderson & Vreeland, Inc., Bryan, Ohio, appoints Mark Kyle as technical sales representative. He will provide technical sales and service support for customers in Michigan and surrounding states.

Obituary.(Obituary)
March 11, 2006... Michigan Paperboard's William "Bill" Earl Bryant died Feb, 28. Bryant, who was fiber materials manager, worked for the Battle Creek, Mich.-based company for 20 years. His daughter Shoni, son-in-law Lance, son Kevin, daughter-in-law Vicki, and...

MAN Roland sees growth.(IN SHEETFED PRESSES)
March 11, 2006... MAN Roland Inc., Westmont, Ill., reports record orders in fiscal 2005. Sheetfed press orders registered 9 percent growth worldwide, totaling $1.15 billion. The North American division achieved a 41 percent rise in orders.

SCM Container Machinery Inc. (Simon).(People Update)
March 11, 2006... SCM Container Machinery Inc. (Simon), Agawam, Mass., appoints John Semenske of Corrugated Concepts LLC as its Midwest sales representative. He brings with him 20 years of industry experience. He will also continue his role with Chicago...

Heidelberg USA.(People Update)
March 11, 2006... Heidelberg USA, Kennesaw, Ga., promotes Ralph Pasquariello to vice president of postpress product management. He was director of postpress.

The Montalvo Corp.(People Update)
March 11, 2006... The Montalvo Corp., Gorham, Maine, promotes Doug Brockelbank to North American sales manager. He has been with the company for seven years and was previously application specialist and inside sales manager.

J.S. Machine Co. Ltd.(appointment of Olivier Li)(Brief article)
March 11, 2006... J.S. Machine Co. Ltd., China's largest maker of corrugated machinery, has made a number of personnel changes. Olivier Li, former vice president, has been named ceo. George Mills, former Langston senior executive, has been named vice chairman...

Linerboard capacity to decline.(ACCORDING TO AF&PA SURVEY)
March 18, 2006... Total linerboard capacity is slated to decline 2.1 percent in 2006, according to the American Forest and Paper Association's (AF&PA) 46th Annual Survey of Paper, Paperboard and Pulp Capacity. Recycled linerboard capacity is expected to decline...

Transacted containerboard prices.
March 18, 2006... Transacted Containerboard Prices 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...

Containerboard mill inventories keep falling.
March 18, 2006... Total containerboard inventories at mills continued to fail--7.7 percent between the end of December and to the end of January, the American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) states. Specifically, inventories fell 298,200 tons in December to...

RTS Pkg buys three partition plants.(FROM CARAUSTAR)
March 18, 2006... Caraustar Industries, Atlanta, sold three paperboard partition plants to RTS Packaging, Norcross, Ga., reports the Hunterdon County Democrat, which is based in New Jersey. Terms were not disclosed. The plants are located in Kingwood...

How to make RFID work: Radio Frequency Identification may be disruptive, but a smart time investment will yield returns.
March 18, 2006... RFID won't go away if you ignore it. Yes, it has the potential to be high cost and low return if executed incorrectly. But if planned and implemented carefully, this technology can provide many advantages. Here are some suggestions to get you...

ICCA forecast: corrugated industry to grow 4 percent.(OVER FIVE YEARS)(Industry overview)
March 18, 2006... The International Corrugated Case Association (ICCA) released to its members the Global Corrugated Forecasts and Analyses 2005-2009. The entire report is available only to ICCA member associations and companies. Simon Southern, a principal...

Rand-Whitney, city have more problems.(Brief article)
March 18, 2006... Montville, Conn., hopes it can be proactive dealing with the latest problem between Rand-Whitney and the Water Pollution Control Authority, reports the Norwich Bulletin. In January, a pipe that carries processed wastewater from the plant...

FiberMark makes custom materials.(DESIGNXPRESS)(Brief article)
March 18, 2006... FiberMark, Brattleboro, Vt., has developed designXpress[TM], a service that allows package designers and brand owners to order custom specialty packaging materials. "The premise is pretty simple: If a designer is looking for a color,...

February box shipments move upward.(BY 3.6 PERCENT)
March 18, 2006... February box shipments indicated nothing to show that tight market conditions are easing. Corrugated shipments rose 3.6 percent to 30.783 billion sq ft, reports the Fibre Box Association. The raw two-month volume is up by 3.2 percent. ...

Weyco gets tax breaks in Mich.(FOR EXPANSION)
March 18, 2006... Three Rivers, Mich., City Commission approved two industrial-facility exemption certificates for 50 percent tax breaks for 12 years for Weyerhaeuser Co., based in Federal Way, Wash., reports The Kalamazoo Gazette. The two-part plan is for...

Transacted paper stock prices--low grades.
March 18, 2006... Prices are per short ton. They change the first issue of each month. Unless otherwise noted, they're effective for the calendar month. Grades and preparation requirements are as defined in the current ISRI Scrap Specifications Circular (now...

Amtech upgrades Kramer Carton.(TO SQL SERVER)
March 18, 2006... Bensalem, Pa.-based Amtech will upgrade Kramer Carton Co. to the SQL Server version of Imaginera. Kramer Carton is located in Sacramento, Calif. Imaginera is Amtech's core software system which provides estimating, scheduling, job costing, and...

MAN Roland to go public.(SHARPER FOCUS ON PRINT)
March 18, 2006... MAN Roland, Westmont, Ill., and Allianz Capital Partners announced plans to create a joint venture to purchase MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG and take the world's second largest press maker public. A letter of intent was signed by the...