International Paper

BITS AND PIECES THE B&P mailbag has been overflowing with cards and letters from kind readers who write to tell me how much they enjoy the feature. So I figured I’d grab the first letter I found and share it with you. OK, so I’m a rotten liar. Bits and Pieces barely nudged out the masthead in a recent reader poll. They used to let me write the calendar of events, but the editors felt it lacked pizazz. Put yourself into it, they said. And now, I’m saddled with this feature, and getting no love from it. No one calls, no one writes...not

WASHINGTON, DC—October 11, 2006—The Print Council, a national business development initiative dedicated to the promotion of greater use of printing and print media, today announced the publication of a new, 24-page marketing brochure demonstrating the extraordinary value and effectiveness of print communications. Titled “Why Print? The Top Ten Ways Print Helps You Prosper,” the full-color brochure marks the launch of an ongoing series of strategic activities by The Print Council designed to make a major impact on media decision makers, significantly elevating their awareness of, and appreciation for, the value of print. The first copies of “Why Print?” will be released

OVER THE last couple of years, there has been much media attention given to price increases in commodities, particularly oil and other energy- related expenses, even as the economy has continued to strengthen. These increases have had an impact on the cost of doing business for just about everyone, and manufacturers, including those in the graphic communications industry, have certainly not been immune.

MEMPHIS, TN—International Paper has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Brazilian coated papers business to Stora Enso Oyj for approximately $415 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. The business includes a coated paper mill and lumber mill in Arapoti, Parana State, Brazil, as well as 50,000 hectares (approximately 124,000 acres) of forestland in Parana. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2006 subject to customary closing conditions. The move is part of International Paper’s previously announced transformation plan to focus on uncoated papers and industrial and consumer packaging globally. Including this deal, expected proceeds from transformation-related divestitures announced to date

Grafikom Acquires Speedfast TORONTO—Grafikom LP, a network of companies formerly under the Quebecor World umbrella, has swung its first independent deal since being established last November with the acquisition of Speedfast Color Press. Privately held Speedfast Color Press, a general commercial printer and mailer, has two facilities in Edmonton, Alberta. The deal enhances Grafikom’s holdings in Edmonton, which includes grafikom.Jasper. Mike Steiner, formerly the owner and operator of Speedfast Color Press, will serve as president for the Edmonton operations. Vertis Obtains USA Direct BALTIMORE—Vertis has struck a deal to bring USA Direct, of York, PA, into the fold. USA Direct provides design, printing, personalization and inserting

MEMPHIS, TN—International Paper’s board of directors has authorized a share repurchase program to acquire up to $3 billion of the company’s stock. The repurchase amounts to roughly 20 percent of IP’s outstanding shares at Wednesday’s closing price of $32.12.The program is slated to start in the third quarter of 2006 and a significant number of…

STAMFORD, CT—International Paper has agreed to sell its coated and supercalendered papers business to CMP Holdings for about $1.4 billion. The business includes two mills in Maine and one each in Michigan and Minnesota, which combined for $1.6 billion in sales in 2005. The total of the sale is subject to certain post-closing adjustments and is expected to be completed this summer. The purchase price consists of roughly $1.37 billion in cash and $30 million in the form of a 10 percent stake in CMP Investments, parent company of CMP Holdings. The deal is part of IP’s previously announced transformation plan to focus on uncoated papers,

Bindery Gear Heads to East Coast Shop LEBANON, PA—Colortech Inc., a full-service commercial printer, recently installed a Vijuk 321-T saddlestitcher. Things Get Bigger in Texas After Install MESQUITE, TX— IntegraColor Inc. has purchased a five-color, 81˝ KBA Rapida 205 sheetfed press, making IntegraColor the first printer in the Southwest with 81˝ litho capabilities. The press has been configured with a special board-handling package and is also to be equipped with UV facilities for printing on plastics. It also incorporates an ICS slitter system and non-stop pile changing for the feeder and delivery. KBA has added its own Densitronic quality control

GEORGETOWN, SC—An International Paper employee was killed January 17 when the debarking machine he was working on pinned and crushed him. James "Larry" Merritt, 52, a maintenance worker at the IP Sampit Lumber Mill who had been with the company for two years, died from head injuries. While electricity to the machine was shut off, the pneumatic cylinder Merritt was working on lowered and trapped him. Georgetown County Coroner Kenny Johnson told the Associated Press that Merritt died from head injuries and likely expired within seconds. The accident is being investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Merritt left behind a wife and

Layoffs, Closings for Domtar MONTREAL—Paper manufacturer Domtar is reducing its workforce by 1,800 and will sell or close several facilities in an effort to return the company to profitability. The company will close down its Cornwall, ON, mill and shut down two paper machines at its Ottawa mill. Domtar also announced that two sawmills in Quebec will be closed and its Vancouver mill will be sold. At Cornwall, where 390 positions were eliminated last December, there are 910 workers tending to three paper machines. F.C.L. Nets Graphics Group HARWOOD HEIGHTS, IL—Direct marketing printing specialist F.C.L. Graphics has acquired certain assets of The Graphics Group, a regional sheetfed