Official Board Markets articles from September 2005

Official Board Markets archives from September 2005

Board industry weathers Katrina: companies experience power and phone outages--extent of damage not yet known.
September 3, 2005... Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast last Monday, killing hundreds, devastating the city of New Orleans and affecting board converting industry operations as well as the supply chain. As Official Board Markets goes to press, many...

Paperloop sells CMM International.
September 3, 2005... Paperloop sold its CMM International conference and exposition business to PennWell Corp. CMM is a leading trade show for the converting and package printing industry in North America. Terms were not disclosed. CMM International, held...

Transacted containerboard prices.
September 3, 2005... 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...

JSG and Kappa could merge.(23 PERCENT EUROPEAN MARKET SHARE)
September 3, 2005... The merger of Ireland-based Jefferson Smurfit Group (JSG) and Dutch firm Kappa Packaging, two of Europe's largest paper packaging companies, is nearing its conclusion, the Irish Times reports, according to Food Production Daily. The...

IP closes Iowa medium mill.(PART OF RESTRUCTURING)
September 3, 2005... As part of last month's announced corporate restructuring, last week International Paper (IP) closed its Fort Madison, Iowa, semichemical medium mill. The mill employed about 130 people. IP purchased the mill, which was closed for its economic...

TAPPI's CPC to cover safety.(IN VEGAS)
September 3, 2005... TAPPI's Corrugated Packaging Conference, Sept. 26-27 in Las Vegas will cover implementing a safety program, among various other topics with "Don't Roll the Dice on Safety: Protect Your Workers and Your Bottom Line" on Sept. 27 at 10:30 a.m. ...

Study forecasts decline in lithographic plate market.(PRIMIR RESEARCH)(Brief article)
September 3, 2005... The Print Industries Market Information and Research Organization (PRIMIR) published a new study "Life Cycle of Analog and Digital Lithographic Printing Plates." The study, conducted by State Street Consultants, Boston, projects that the total...

FEFCO releases European numbers.(European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers)(Statistical data)
September 3, 2005... FEFCO has released its annual statistics for 2004 in a series of charts and tables. The association has collected this information over a period of 10 years. The organization notes that an analysis of the historical data should take the...

KBA helps hurricane victims.(TO THE RESCUE)
September 3, 2005... KBA North America, Williston, Vt., is reaching out to industry members victimized by Hurricane Katrina. It has instituted a three-part aid initiative. First, the company has put its service and support staff on alert to be available to help...

Groveton goes up for sale.(IP, SSCC AMONG SHAREHOLDERS)
September 3, 2005... The board of directors of Groveton Paper Board, Inc., together with the three shareholders of the company (International Paper Co., Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., and Liberty Diversified Industries) are pursuing a sale of the company's mill in...

IP plans to invest in China's sun paper.(COATED BOARD)(International Paper Co. to form joint venture with Shandong Sun Paper Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 3, 2005... International Paper (IP) is in discussions with Shandong Sun Paper Ltd. about the formation of a joint venture for coated paperboard production in China. The talks center on IP purchasing a 50 percent interest in Sun's coated board assets...

Greif reports Q3 earnings.(EARNINGS REPORT)(Financial report)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
September 3, 2005... Greif, Inc., Delaware, Ohio, has released results for its third quarter ended July 31. Net income before restructuring charges and special items was $27.4 million, compared with $23.1 million for the same period last year. Net sales rose 4...

Product information management.(Product Update)
September 3, 2005... Amphire[R] Solutions has introduced a product information management solution called Amphire Harmonize[TM]. Harmonize is an Internet-based supply chain management tool that allows for access and management of item records from anywhere, full...

CCTI meeting coincides with CPP.(Composite Can and Tube Institute)(Brief article)
September 3, 2005... The Composite Can and Tube Institute's (CCTI) Fall Meeting will be held Sept. 27-29 at the Flamingo Las Vegas hotel. The meeting will focus on operations and sales, from "Conquering Negotiaphobia" to "The Do's and Don'ts of Product Knowledge,"...

Impressions makes changes.(EQUIPMENT, WEBSITE)
September 3, 2005... Impressions Inc., St. Paul, Minn., has agreed to purchase two 30-in. Heidelberg seven-color presses from Heidelberg USA. The presses will complement the company's 40-in. presses. Also, Impressions has revamped its web site, www.i-i.com,...

Packager moves into e-commerce.(ONLINE PURCHASING)
September 3, 2005... Ames Specialty Packaging, a CD and DVD packaging manufacturer, has launched a secure e-commerce website, www.amesspecialtypackaging.com. Customers can view images, read product descriptions, and place orders through the new site. Additionally,...

Heidelberg joins GWG.(BEST PRACTICES)
September 3, 2005... Heidelberg joined the Belgium-based Ghent PDF Working Group (GWG), an international assembly of graphic arts professionals established to create, test and disseminate best practices specifications for publishing workflows. The GWG is working to...

Transacted boxboard prices.
September 3, 2005... 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...

Transacted paper stock prices--low grades.(Statistical table)
September 3, 2005... Transacted Paper Stock Prices--Low Grades Mixed Boxboard Paper Cuttings News News (1) (4) (6) (8) Chicago $50-55 (0)...

Katrina hurts OCC supply in SE.(OCC MARKET REPORT)
September 3, 2005... In late August a major integrated company started telling its OCC suppliers in the Southeast that it was going to drop its OCC prices come September 1. And it wasn't alone in its feeling that the market at that time was soft, what with downtime...

Transacted paper stock prices--high grades.(Statistical table)(Brief article)
September 3, 2005... Transacted Paper Stock Prices--High Grades White Coated Hard New DLK News Soft Wht. White Cuttings Blanks Shavings ...

Food organizations host packaging workshops.(CONTINUING ED)
September 3, 2005... Food industry organizations are holding workshops for packaging suppliers in Kansas City, Mo., this fall. AIB International's "GMP Workshop for Packaging Suppliers" will be held Oct. 18-19 and the "HACCP Workshop" will be held Oct. 20-21. ...

FiberMark: "What Inspires You?".(CONTEST FOR DESIGNERS)
September 3, 2005... Calling all designers. What inspires you? That's what FiberMark, Battleboro, Vt., is trying to find out through its "What Inspires You?" initiative aimed at learning where designers find inspiration for creating effective, award-winning...

PPC's Brown receives distinction.(CERTIFIED ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE)
September 3, 2005... The Paperboard Packaging Council's (PPC) James Brown has received the American Society of Associations Executives' Certified Association Executive (CAE) distinction. The CAE is the highest professional credential for the association industry,...

Diamond wins graphics honors.(PREMIER PRINT AWARDS)
September 3, 2005... Diamond Packaging, Rochester, N.Y., earned three awards in the graphic arts industry's 2005 Premier Print Awards Competition. Diamond competed against more than 5,200 entries and received two awards for the L'Oreal USA/Matrix 2004 holiday...

AICC calls for submissions.(PACKAGING DESIGN CONTEST)
September 3, 2005... Box makers have the opportunity to participate in the 12th International Corrugated Packaging Design Competition at the Association of Independent Corrugated Converters' (AICC) Annual Meeting in Boston, Oct. 26-29. The competition includes...

Sandvik Dieflex Hard High cutting rules.(Product Update)
September 3, 2005... Sandvik DieCutting Products extends its range of Sandvik Dieflex Hard High cutting rules. Developed specially for diemakers in the packaging industry, the Hard High rules are available with the side bevel and long side bevel edge configuration...

PallRun[R] carton board pallet runners.(Product Update)
September 3, 2005... PallRun[R] carton board pallet runners attach directly to a corrugated sheet (or other top board) in less than 30 seconds, turning it into a carton board pallet. For automatic manufacturing of carton board pallets, Eltete offers converters...

Pkg groups sponsor HR seminar.(AT MSU)
September 3, 2005... Several industry associations have joined together to present "Creating and Managing a Flexible Workplace," Sept. 21 at Michigan State University (MSU). The program focuses on the latest technologies for alternative workforce assignment and...

NJPRA to meet Sept. 20.(IN CLIFTON, N.J.)
September 3, 2005... The New Jersey Paper Recycling Association will hold its next meeting at Sept. 20 at 6:00 p.m. at the Bel Vedere Restaurant, Clifton, N.J. The guest speaker will be Tom Schmiemann, transatlantic sales manager for OOCL Line. The discussion will...

Diversity roundtable set for CPC.(IN VEGAS)(Discussion)
September 3, 2005... Corrugated packaging industry leaders will discuss strategies to diversify their organizations during the "Breakfast Roundtable--Leading Diversity and Managing Inclusion in the Corrugated Industry" at the 2005 TAPPI Corrugated Packaging...

Maintenance control software.(Product Update)
September 3, 2005... EZ MAINTENANCE Version 2.08 is Link-It software's latest full-powered maintenance control software. The software schedules, manages and tracks all costs and histories of routine preventative maintenance or randomly occurring repairs for any...

AICC to present 3rd web conference.(ON CYCLE TIME)(Association of Independent Corrugated Converters)
September 3, 2005... AICC will present its third audio/web conference on Sept. 27, called "Cycle Time and Team Cooperation." It will be presented by industry trainer and production management expert Dean Mitchell of The Mitchell Group, Denver. Reducing cycle...

Utah Paper Box installs Roland press.(UNIQUE CONFIGURATION)
September 3, 2005... Salt Lake City-based Utah Paper Box's recently-installed new MAN Roland 700 press begins with a printing unit, followed by a perfector, an inline coating unit, and a double drying extension. Then six more printing units appear, followed by a...

HydroGrease White Series.(Michelman)(Brief article)
September 3, 2005... Michelman has added the HydroGrease White Series to its barrier product line. HydroGrease White is a pigmented barrier coating with exceptional water and grease resistance. The new product is idea for bakery and produce. HydroGrease White 20 is...

Four companies join AICC.(SHEET PLANTS)(Carlson Corrugated Solutions)(Decoupage MPS)(VeriCorr Packaging LLC)(Western Corrugated Design)(Association of Independent Corrugated Converters )(Brief article)
September 3, 2005... The following sheet plants have recently joined The Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC): Carlson Corrugated Solutions, Wichita, Kan., Decoupage MPS, St-Laurent, Quebec, VeriCorr Packaging LLC, Huntersville, N.C., and Western...

FTA teams with GASC for new show.(PACKPRINT)
September 3, 2005... The Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) teams with the Graphic Arts Show Co. (GASC) to produce a new package printing and converting event in September 2007. The biennial event, dubbed PackPrint, will be held along Graph Expo 2007, Sept....

Impressions Inc.(Noteworthy News)
September 3, 2005... Impressions Inc., St. Paul, Minn., won first place at the annual packagePRINTING[R] Excellence Awards held in Rosemont, Ill. This is the third year in a row the company has taken top honors in the "Litho-Offset" category for the software...

Longview Fibre Co.(People Update)
September 3, 2005... Longview Fibre Co., Longview, Wash., promotes Jerel "Jerry" Cormier to manager of the Twin Cities container plant in Minneapolis. He replaces Todd Price who has been promoted to vice president of production, Intermountain Region.

M-real USA's Consumer Packaging Division.(People Update)
September 3, 2005... John Sarik accepts the position of technical service manager in M-real USA's Consumer Packaging Division, Norwalk, Conn. Sarik brings a strong technical background, particularly in ink manufacturing, to the position. He will reside in Virginia....

Calif. printer moving into packaging.(Paragraphics Inc. buys press from KBA Rapida)(Brief article)
September 3, 2005... Paragraphics Inc., San Rafael, Calif., has agreed to purchase a KBA Rapida 105 41-in. six-color sheetfed press with coater and UV hybrid capabilities. Paragraphics Vice President Jim Barnes says the company has been limited in moving into...

Spartanics to make diecutters.(LASER SYSTEMS)
September 3, 2005... Spartanics, Rolling Meadows, Ill., will be the new manufacturer of Klemm Laser Cut Systems for digital diecutting, as well as coordinator of the worldwide sales and service organization for the new Spartanics Klemm Laser Cut Systems. For more...

MeadWestvaco.(People Update)
September 3, 2005... MeadWestvaco, Stamford, Conn., elects Donna Owens Cox vice president, communications. She is responsible for all aspects of the company's communications, including public relations and internal communications.

Harper Asia Pacific, Co., Ltd.(People Update)
September 3, 2005... HarperAsia Pacific, Co., Ltd., Bangkok, Thailand, appoints Pornpitak Potivejkul to technical manager. He served as Harper Asia Pacific's plant manager since 2001 and holds a master's degree in electrical engineering.

Colonial's fire sparks rebirth.(DOWN BUT NOT OUT)(Editorial)
September 10, 2005... The spirit of Mark Twain possessed Joe Elphick when he read this page 1 sidebar headline in the Aug. 20 Official Board Markets: "Fire Destroys Colonial Carton." But instead of taking pen in hand, as old Sam Clemens might have, Elphick,...

Transacted containerboard prices.
September 10, 2005... Transacted Containerboard Prices Average transacted price levels are tabulated by obtaining paid prices from independent converters purchasing linerboard and medium. All prices are intended standard only. Transactions may be concluded...

SSCC plans board price hike.
September 10, 2005... Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., Chicago, is telling its customers that it plans to increase both its linerboard and corrugating medium prices by $30/ton, effective with shipments on October 1. The company cites rising cost pressures, including...

Liberty buys Smyth display.(IN ST. PAUL)
September 10, 2005... Liberty Carton Co., a division of Liberty Diversified Industries, Minneapolis, acquires the St. Paul-based display manufacturing division of Smyth Companies, a manufacturer of point-of-purchase displays and a fulfillment service provider. Terms...

IP partners with Chinese firm.(FOR COATED PAPERBOARD)
September 10, 2005... International Paper Co. (IP) has signed an agreement to set up a joint venture firm in China to produce coated paperboard, its Chinese partner told Reuters on Sept. 5. Official Board Markets reported on the preliminary talks on page 8 of the...

Box shipments headed higher.(corrugated boxes)(Brief article)
September 10, 2005... The Timer is predicting an improving trend in corrugated box shipments. As the chart shows, the Timer (red line) gave clear indications in the closing months of last year that box shipments would move down this year. They did (yellow line)....

Canada's recovered paper consumption (metric tons): July 2005.(Statistical table)
September 10, 2005... Canada's Recovered Paper Consumption (metric tons) July 2005 All PAPER AND BOARD Producers (including estimates for nonreporting companies) RECEIPTS Imports ...

Pkg group promotes speakers bureau.(SPEAKERS AVAILABLE)
September 10, 2005... Women in Packaging, Inc. has created a new speakers bureau to address packaging industry questions. Experts are in touch with hot-button issues like packaging and terrorism, Wal-Mart's impact on the industry, how new products change the way...

Midland Davis acquires Pekin Recycling.(IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS)
September 10, 2005... Midland Davis Corp., Peoria, Ill., has acquired Pekin Recycling, a paper and scrap recycling company. Terms were not disclosed. The company plans to retain the Pekin employees and facility to best serve central Illinois.

Smurfit-MBI opens Ontario plant.(IN MILTON, ONTARIO)
September 10, 2005... Smurfit-MBI opened a corrugated container plant last week in Milton, Ontario. With its 100 employees, the new plant specializes in the production of corrugated packaging solutions. Construction of this 250,000-sq-ft facility was completed in...

Paperboard mill performance.
September 10, 2005... 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. Total July 2005 ...

Producer price indexes--1982=100.
September 10, 2005... Producer Price Indexes--1982=100 Year May 2003/2004 2005 Total Paperboard 162.7/170.2 180.9 Total Paper & Paperboard 151.3/155.9 165.0...

Mill containerboard inventories increase.(AF&PA REVEALS)
September 10, 2005... Total containerboard inventories at mills rose 6.3 percent between the end of June and the end of July, reports the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA). They went from 328,500 tons at the end of June to 349,200 tons at the end of July....

Containerboard demand declines.(IN JULY)
September 10, 2005... North American containerboard demand in July declined 5.1 percent compared to the same month last year, reports the Pulp and Paper Products Council, Montreal. Linerboard demand was down 6.9 percent while medium demand was down 1.3 percent....

Transacted paper stock prices--low grades.
September 10, 2005... Transacted Paper Stock Prices--Low Grades Mixed Boxboard Paper Cuttings News (1) (4) (6) Chicago $50-55 (0) 60-65 (-5) ...

Matsukis pleads guilty.(Peter Matsukis accused for securities fraud)(Brief article)
September 10, 2005... On September 2 Peter Matsukis pleaded guilty to fraud charges in U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. His bond was revoked and he was taken into custody. He is scheduled for sentencing on November 8. For at...

GPI plans price hike.(Graphic Packaging International Corp.)(Brief article)
September 10, 2005... Effective with shipments on or after October 3, Graphic Packaging International (GPI), Marietta, Ga., will increase the price of its coated and uncoated folding carton grades by $35 per ton. In addition, it will be including a fuel surcharge on...

PR manual available.(PUBLICITY TIPS)
September 10, 2005... Zebra Communications has released a hands-on, how-to public relations manual for industrial companies called "Industrial Print PR & Competitive Strategy." The manual contains tips, tactics and strategies, and is available from Zebra for...

TAPPI CPD awards scholarships.($1,000 EACH)
September 10, 2005... The Corrugated Packaging Division (CPD) of TAPPI has chosen five scholarship winners for this year. They will receive $1000 each. The recipients are Sanjay Bisht, senior, Michigan State School of Packaging (Sealed Air internship); Valerie...

Transacted paper stock prices--high grades.
September 10, 2005... Transacted Paper Stock Prices--High Grades White Coated New DLK News Soft Wht. Cuttings Blanks Shavings (13) (24) ...

Creative Carton.(Noteworthy News)
September 10, 2005... Creative Carton, Minneapolis, recently completed six years of 100 percent on-time delivery for same-day manufactured orders. That amounts to more than 6,000 orders, or about 2 percent of the company's overall business. The company was founded...

Chase the right business.(CONSIDER ALL SERVICE COSTS)
September 10, 2005... Salespeople spend less than one-third of their time face-to-face with customers. In a 40-hour week, this means that salespeople only spend 12 hours selling in front of the customer. Twelve hours per week to produce enough revenue to make sales...

XSYS installs first nyloflex in North America.(AT OEC GRAPHICS)(Brief article)
September 10, 2005... North America's first nyloflex[R] infinity system, a process with equipment for combining sheet polymer plates, mounting tapes, and standard print sleeves into seamless image-ready sleeves, was recently installed at OEC Graphics in Oshkosh,...

Weyerhaeuser donates $500,000 to Katrina relief.(HURRICANE RELIEF)
September 10, 2005... The Weyerhaeuser Co. Foundation has given a direct cash donation of $500,000 to support relief and rebuilding efforts of areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. This contribution represents the foundation's single largest donation to a natural...

PPC promotes doing more with less.(Paperboard Packaging Council)(Brief article)
September 10, 2005... The Paperboard Packaging Council's (PPC) Fall 2005 Technical and Production Forum, "Automation--Doing More with Less," will take place Nov. 9-10 at the Atlanta Hilton Garden Inn-Atlanta East/Stonecrest. It will address issues like the driving...

Guided vehicles are reel productive: a German corrugated box plant gained control of paper reel storage and handling while reducing labor and damage.
September 10, 2005... P-Well is one of the most modern corrugated board production plants in Europe. Built in 2002 in the city of Berka, Germany, the plant specializes in the manufacture of corrugated board in all flute profiles, both standard and special quality,...

Private equity firm to buy Esko-Graphics.(NEW OWNERSHIP)
September 10, 2005... Esko-Graphic's shareholder Kirkbi A/S has entered into an agreement with Danish private equity company Axcel to transfer the ownership and all packaging-related activities of Esko-Graphics to Axcel. Terms will not be disclosed for the...

Amtech installs at General Converting.(SOFTWARE SALE)(Brief article)
September 10, 2005... Amtech installed its advanced Imaginera system at General Converting, Bolingbrook, Ill. Imaginera is a Windows-based software solution. Modules cover customer service, production and sales. High-level analysis is provided to evaluate sales,...

Illustrated Glossary of Commercial, Publication and Package Printing.(Product Update)
September 10, 2005... The Illustrated Glossary of Commercial, Publication and Package Printing with more than 4,500 definitions and almost 200 illustrations, is available from Jelmar Publishing Co., Inc. Coverage includes terms for print, ink, substrates, equipment,...

Smart Fan Control.(Product Update)
September 10, 2005... Big Ass Fans introduced the Smart Fan Control, customized controllers that monitor environmental variables that users specify, including air temperature, wind speed, humidity, and barometric pressure. Systems are designed to meet customer's...

Board industry gives, receives aid.(KATRINA'S AFTERMATH)
September 10, 2005... As Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts continue in the Gulf Coast region, good news and good will emerge from the board converting industry. Georgia-Pacific (GP), Atlanta, is one company that did not hesitate to contribute to regional...

International pkg study available.(FROM PIRA AND WPO)(Brief article)
September 10, 2005... Pira International and the World Packaging Organization have published the 500-page market study "The Future of Global Packaging." Paper and board is the most consumed packaging material globally, valued at $176 billion in 2004, according to...

Graphic Packaging Corp.(People Update)
September 10, 2005... John Baldwin, senior vice president and cfo, resigned from Graphic Packaging Corp., Marietta, Ga., to pursue other interests. Daniel Blount, senior vice president of integration, has been appointed as acting cfo.

KBA North America.(People Update)
September 10, 2005... KBA North America, Williston, Vt., has given added responsibilities to Michael Mugavero, KBA eastern regional vice president. In addition to overseeing six district sales managers, Mugavero also will oversee KBA sales efforts in Canada, from...

JSG and Kappa plan merger.(COMBINED REVENUE OF $9.6 BILLION)
September 17, 2005... Jefferson Smurfit Group (JSG), Dublin, Ireland, and Kappa Packaging, Eindhoven, Netherlands, plan to merge their respective operations in a deal that would create a European packaging leader with revenue of $9.6 billion. JSG is controlled...

Transacted containerboard prices.
September 17, 2005... Average transacted price levels are tabulated by obtaining paid prices from independent converters purchasing linerboard and medium. All prices are intended standard only. Transactions may be concluded at any time at any price agreed upon...

CHH says offer is too low.
September 17, 2005... Auckland, New Zealand-based Carter Holt Harvey Ltd.'s (CHH) directors say Rank Group's $2.3 billion takeover offer is too low and advised shareholders to reject it. The NZ$2.50-a-share offer is "below fair value" based on a Grant Samuel &...

PCA plans to raise prices.(EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1)
September 17, 2005... Packaging Corp. of America (PCA), Lake Forest, Ill., is planning to increase its linerboard and corrugating medium prices by $40/ton, effective with shipments on October 1. Earlier this month Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., Chicago, made a...

Sonoco to pass energy costs along.(EFFECTIVE SEPT. 19)
September 17, 2005... Citing ever-increasing energy costs, Sonoco, Hartsville, S.C., will add energy surcharges for its uncoated recycled paperboard and robe and core products in the U.S. and Canada. The fees will be added to all invoices, effective Sept. 19. ...

CPP to draw diverse buyers.(THOUSANDS REGISTERED)
September 17, 2005... Thousands have registered for CPP EXPO (Converting & Package Printing Expo), taking place September 26-28 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center. Pre-registration demographics indicate that close to 65 percent of the attendees will come from...