Greenpeace cautiously optimistic on APP forestry policy headway
Greenpeace’s APP’s Forest Conservation Policy: Progress Review examines APP’s recently implemented forest conservation policy (FCP), which resulted in a moratorium on all natural forest clearance. Greenpeace, which has been campaigning for APP to change its behaviour for several years, subsequently suspended action against the paper manufacturer. The report concluded: “Our view, nine months in, is that the company is serious about its FCP plans and its key senior staff are genuinely committed to driving the delivery of these new commitments. The risk of APP again reneging on its promises appears limited at this time. “However, there have been, and will continue to be, many challenges. Some of these are internal, with a complex corporate structure making delivery sometimes cumbersome across 2.6m hectares of land in Indonesia alone.” Greenpeace, which led a decade of protests and helped stoke up media coverage so damaging it prompted more than 100 companies, including giants Lego and Xerox, to suspend contracts with APP, stopped short of complete endorsement. “Several former customers of APP have asked Greenpeace whether they should re-engage it as a supplier. As this review makes clear, there are several encouraging signs about APP’s delivery of its FCP commitments, as well as some outstanding concerns.” The report suggested companies should continue to closely monitor and engage with the company over its implementation of the FCP. They should seek assurances there would be no further breaches of forest clearance and peatland development moratoriums as outlined in the FCP. Greenpeace International senior campaigner Phil Aikman said: “APP is moving quite swiftly in some areas and not so in others, partly because they have to hire people to help them deliver. They are being very transparent, but I think they will always have to be monitored and bring in third-party auditors.” APP managing director of sustainability Aida Greenbury said she was encouraged that Greenpeace’s report recognised progress made to date. Greenbury said: “We know many years of work lie ahead, but this report has given us additional confidence that we are on the right path as we aim to put a permanent end to deforestation in our supply chain. “Scrutiny from Greenpeace and other NGOs has been an important driver for us and we hope to continue to work with all stakeholders in this way over the coming years.” The Greenpeace report highlighted positive steps taken since the launch of the FCP in February 2013. These included: self-disclosure of two breaches of the FCP, action to improve the management and implementation of the FCP and commitment to consulting stakeholders. The report also raised several challenges for improvements. These included setting out a plan to engage other stakeholders to help address the issue of overlapping licences and share details of remaining challenges on its online monitoring dashboard. APP should publish a sustainable forest management planning schedule on the dashboard, speed up progress on peatland assessment and management, take input from “credible” experts on conservation plans and increase transparency on work in China. Greenbury added: “We believe additional scrutiny provided by buyers can only help APP in its continued implementation of the FCP. We believe this level of engagement with customers will send a clear signal to the market that the action being taken by APP is genuine and should be rewarded.” To see Greenpeace’s report click...
read moreInternational Paper relaunches improved JetSet and JetStar papers
The JetSet and JetStar papers were relaunched as a result of improved performance following the upgrade. Applications for the papers include direct mail, reports & accounts, catalogues and brochures and the papers can be used with all leading high-speed inkjet printing systems, including those from Kodak, Océ, Screen, HP and Impika. “This upgrade significantly improves the final printing results of JetSet paper and enables us to meet the growing printability requirements of customers in this segment,” said a spokesman. “JetSet offers excellent image contrast when working with dye-based and pigmented inks.” JetStar surface-treated paper, meanwhile, was designed for use with pigmented inks and delivers colour stability, enhanced print performance and better fade and water resistance, said the company. It produces “visibly better results” over standard offset paper. Both products are PEFC and Ecolabel certified, while the Saillat mill is one of the world’s best-performing sites in terms of CO2 emissions, with an average wood procurement distance of 128km, according to International Paper. Inkjet papers brand manager Katarzyna Nieciag added: “The investment was a continued development of our value-added grades strategy at the mill.”...
read moreInternational Paper relaunches improved JetSet and JetStar papers
The JetSet and JetStar papers were relaunched as a result of improved performance following the upgrade. Applications for the papers include direct mail, reports & accounts, catalogues and brochures and the papers can be used with all leading high-speed inkjet printing systems, including those from Kodak, Océ, Screen, HP and Impika. “This upgrade significantly improves the final printing results of JetSet paper and enables us to meet the growing printability requirements of customers in this segment,” said a spokesman. “JetSet offers excellent image contrast when working with dye-based and pigmented inks.” JetStar surface-treated paper, meanwhile, was designed for use with pigmented inks and delivers colour stability, enhanced print performance and better fade and water resistance, said the company. It produces “visibly better results” over standard offset paper. Both products are PEFC and Ecolabel certified, while the Saillat mill is one of the world’s best-performing sites in terms of CO2 emissions, with an average wood procurement distance of 128km, according to International Paper. Inkjet papers brand manager Katarzyna Nieciag added: “The investment was a continued development of our value-added grades strategy at the mill.”...
read moreGreenpeace cautiously optimistic on APP forestry policy headway
Greenpeace’s APP’s Forest Conservation Policy: Progress Review examines APP’s recently implemented forest conservation policy (FCP), which resulted in a moratorium on all natural forest clearance. Greenpeace, which has been campaigning for APP to change its behaviour for several years, subsequently suspended action against the paper manufacturer. The report concluded: “Our view, nine months in, is that the company is serious about its FCP plans and its key senior staff are genuinely committed to driving the delivery of these new commitments. The risk of APP again reneging on its promises appears limited at this time. “However, there have been, and will continue to be, many challenges. Some of these are internal, with a complex corporate structure making delivery sometimes cumbersome across 2.6m hectares of land in Indonesia alone.” Greenpeace, which led a decade of protests and helped stoke up media coverage so damaging it prompted more than 100 companies, including giants Lego and Xerox, to suspend contracts with APP, stopped short of complete endorsement. “Several former customers of APP have asked Greenpeace whether they should re-engage it as a supplier. As this review makes clear, there are several encouraging signs about APP’s delivery of its FCP commitments, as well as some outstanding concerns.” The report suggested companies should continue to closely monitor and engage with the company over its implementation of the FCP. They should seek assurances there would be no further breaches of forest clearance and peatland development moratoriums as outlined in the FCP. Greenpeace International senior campaigner Phil Aikman said: “APP is moving quite swiftly in some areas and not so in others, partly because they have to hire people to help them deliver. They are being very transparent, but I think they will always have to be monitored and bring in third-party auditors.” APP managing director of sustainability Aida Greenbury said she was encouraged that Greenpeace’s report recognised progress made to date. Greenbury said: “We know many years of work lie ahead, but this report has given us additional confidence that we are on the right path as we aim to put a permanent end to deforestation in our supply chain. “Scrutiny from Greenpeace and other NGOs has been an important driver for us and we hope to continue to work with all stakeholders in this way over the coming years.” The Greenpeace report highlighted positive steps taken since the launch of the FCP in February 2013. These included: self-disclosure of two breaches of the FCP, action to improve the management and implementation of the FCP and commitment to consulting stakeholders. The report also raised several challenges for improvements. These included setting out a plan to engage other stakeholders to help address the issue of overlapping licences and share details of remaining challenges on its online monitoring dashboard. APP should publish a sustainable forest management planning schedule on the dashboard, speed up progress on peatland assessment and management, take input from “credible” experts on conservation plans and increase transparency on work in China. Greenbury added: “We believe additional scrutiny provided by buyers can only help APP in its continued implementation of the FCP. We believe this level of engagement with customers will send a clear signal to the market that the action being taken by APP is genuine and should be rewarded.” To see Greenpeace’s report click...
read moreMeet the Solutions Provider for Predictable Color
The following is an interview with Dave Dezzutti, Technology and Research Analyst, Center for Technology and Research, at Printing Industries of America. How confident are you that every job your company produces will render spot-on color (if 1 is “not a chance!” and 10 is “we’re color masters!”)? If you’re like most companies, you’re probably somewhere in the middle. According to past customers, the solutions our expert consultants provide directly raise their confidence in producing predictable color. In addition to color management, more than a dozen full-time and external consultants serve members and the industry in a variety of areas. (Read the interview with digital and offset consultant Keith Whistler.) As a consultant with the Center for Technology and Research since 2011, Dave Dezzutti, who’s also a G7® Certified Expert and trainer, explains how he has helped many companies both on site and off with their color management issues. Q: What is your background in this field that has enabled you to become a successful consultant? Dave: I have been very fortunate in my career to have worked in a production capacity with a wide variety of equipment and procedures. Ultimately this helps me assess a company’s current situation and provide them with a road map to follow in the future. This information will assist them in being more productive, with less waste, and gain a sense of predictability with regard to quality and consistency. Q: What is your current role with our consulting team? Dave: My focus is on color management. With hands-on experience with three different workflow systems, nine RIPs, two CTP systems, and a variety of digital equipment, my G7® Expert certification permits me to consult at printing companies and qualify them to become G7® Master facilities. Q: What are some of the highlights from your consulting experiences? Dave: I get a wide perspective on current issues our industry is facing. For instance, I am still somewhat surprised at the lack of process controls at some companies. Color management will only work continuously providing there is a process controls implementation in place. Q: How do you help companies find solutions? Dave: As a third-party observer, some problems are easily exposed. People, by nature, are so ingrained in what they are producing that they sometimes lose track of procedures, like those in process controls, which enable them to catch errors in the production stream. By methodically assessing each step of the process, issues will inevitably surface, and I can recommend a corrective action. Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job? Dave: There is no greater feeling than when an owner says at the end of a consulting assignment, that they have never had this kind of confidence before about the consistence and predictability of their color reproduction. Dave is also a featured speaker at the 2013 Color Management Conference, December 7–10, in Phoenix, AZ. More Resources: Center for Technology and Research Consulting and Training Custom Training 2013 Color Management Conference...
read moreMeet the Solutions Provider for Predictable Color
The following is an interview with Dave Dezzutti, Technology and Research Analyst, Center for Technology and Research, at Printing Industries of America. How confident are you that every job your company produces will render spot-on color (if 1 is “not a chance!” and 10 is “we’re color masters!”)? If you’re like most companies, you’re probably somewhere in the middle. According to past customers, the solutions our expert consultants provide directly raise their confidence in producing predictable color. In addition to color management, more than a dozen full-time and external consultants serve members and the industry in a variety of areas. (Read the interview with digital and offset consultant Keith Whistler.) As a consultant with the Center for Technology and Research since 2011, Dave Dezzutti, who’s also a G7® Certified Expert and trainer, explains how he has helped many companies both on site and off with their color management issues. Q: What is your background in this field that has enabled you to become a successful consultant? Dave: I have been very fortunate in my career to have worked in a production capacity with a wide variety of equipment and procedures. Ultimately this helps me assess a company’s current situation and provide them with a road map to follow in the future. This information will assist them in being more productive, with less waste, and gain a sense of predictability with regard to quality and consistency. Q: What is your current role with our consulting team? Dave: My focus is on color management. With hands-on experience with three different workflow systems, nine RIPs, two CTP systems, and a variety of digital equipment, my G7® Expert certification permits me to consult at printing companies and qualify them to become G7® Master facilities. Q: What are some of the highlights from your consulting experiences? Dave: I get a wide perspective on current issues our industry is facing. For instance, I am still somewhat surprised at the lack of process controls at some companies. Color management will only work continuously providing there is a process controls implementation in place. Q: How do you help companies find solutions? Dave: As a third-party observer, some problems are easily exposed. People, by nature, are so ingrained in what they are producing that they sometimes lose track of procedures, like those in process controls, which enable them to catch errors in the production stream. By methodically assessing each step of the process, issues will inevitably surface, and I can recommend a corrective action. Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job? Dave: There is no greater feeling than when an owner says at the end of a consulting assignment, that they have never had this kind of confidence before about the consistence and predictability of their color reproduction. Dave is also a featured speaker at the 2013 Color Management Conference, December 7–10, in Phoenix, AZ. More Resources: Center for Technology and Research Consulting and Training Custom Training 2013 Color Management Conference...
read morePrinovis writes down assets as News UK contract shrinks
News UK (formerly News International/NI) is the biggest-single customer at Prinovis’ Liverpool site. The £115m facility was set up eight years ago on the back of winning the contract for the newspaper group’s supplements. However, PrintWeek understands that the two parties are currently involved in an arbitration process over the future of the contract. The closure of the News of the World, along with declining newspaper circulations overall, has reduced the expected volumes. The Sun on Sunday’s circulation is around 1.9m, compared with the News of the World’s 2.6m. In addition, under the terms of the contract PrintWeek has learned that News UK is also able to take back work that it can print on its own presses, which it has done with Sun on Saturday title Buzz. “That meant a loss of revenue and a spook to the system at Prinovis when they realised that NI could start repatriating titles,” said a source close to the situation. Despite this, a wholesale repatriation of supplements is deemed unlikely: “At at the end of the day glossy advertisers like nice print, they want shine and finish and newsprint can’t give you that,” noted the source. In its accounts for the year to 31 December 2012 Prinovis made a £41.5m impairment charge against the value of its assets. Sales fell 12.9% to £73.7m, and the tonnage produced by the plant fell by 13.7% to 155,000 tonnes. The write-off resulted in a loss before interest and taxes of £30.3m (2011 profit: £8.2m). The bottom-line loss was £34.2m. A restructuring programme has seen the number of employees reduced from 437 to 381. The directors’ report stated: “The company is reducing the reliance on its major customer, News International.” Neither News UK nor Prinovis would comment specifically on the contract issues, described as “very confidential and highly-sensitive” by a source. The arbitration is expected to be resolved within the next few weeks. News UK paid Johnston Press a total of £40m in compensation after cancelling its contract printing arrangement with the local newspaper group. Prinovis would not comment about the potential issue of compensation. However, Prinovis head of corporate communications Alexander Adler told PrintWeek the firm was confident about being able to “refill capacities”, and said the firm’s 2013 results would be “better”. “Due to the young age of our plant our fixed asset values were still quite high, which – triggered by the market development – had to be reduced to be aligned with future earnings expectations,” he explained. “It’s important to know that in the UK we have generated more than £23m in cash for our shareholders in 2012. Due to our strong cashflows and the fact that we don’t make use of any external financing we see ourselves in a much better position than our major competitors in the UK market,” Adler added. Prinovis UK is also likely to benefit from next year’s planned closure of the group’s Itzehoe plant in Germany, which prints for a number of UK customers. Adler said this would probably result in the repatriation of some volume into Liverpool. Last year Prinovis put in a speculative bid for the BGP web offset business, and it has not ruled out the possibility of future web offset investment. Prinovis is currently running a direct marketing campaign aimed at...
read morePrinovis writes down assets as News UK contract shrinks
News UK (formerly News International/NI) is the biggest-single customer at Prinovis’ Liverpool site. The £115m facility was set up eight years ago on the back of winning the contract for the newspaper group’s supplements. However, PrintWeek understands that the two parties are currently involved in an arbitration process over the future of the contract. The closure of the News of the World, along with declining newspaper circulations overall, has reduced the expected volumes. The Sun on Sunday’s circulation is around 1.9m, compared with the News of the World’s 2.6m. In addition, under the terms of the contract PrintWeek has learned that News UK is also able to take back work that it can print on its own presses, which it has done with Sun on Saturday title Buzz. “That meant a loss of revenue and a spook to the system at Prinovis when they realised that NI could start repatriating titles,” said a source close to the situation. Despite this, a wholesale repatriation of supplements is deemed unlikely: “At at the end of the day glossy advertisers like nice print, they want shine and finish and newsprint can’t give you that,” noted the source. In its accounts for the year to 31 December 2012 Prinovis made a £41.5m impairment charge against the value of its assets. Sales fell 12.9% to £73.7m, and the tonnage produced by the plant fell by 13.7% to 155,000 tonnes. The write-off resulted in a loss before interest and taxes of £30.3m (2011 profit: £8.2m). The bottom-line loss was £34.2m. A restructuring programme has seen the number of employees reduced from 437 to 381. The directors’ report stated: “The company is reducing the reliance on its major customer, News International.” Neither News UK nor Prinovis would comment specifically on the contract issues, described as “very confidential and highly-sensitive” by a source. The arbitration is expected to be resolved within the next few weeks. News UK paid Johnston Press a total of £40m in compensation after cancelling its contract printing arrangement with the local newspaper group. Prinovis would not comment about the potential issue of compensation. However, Prinovis head of corporate communications Alexander Adler told PrintWeek the firm was confident about being able to “refill capacities”, and said the firm’s 2013 results would be “better”. “Due to the young age of our plant our fixed asset values were still quite high, which – triggered by the market development – had to be reduced to be aligned with future earnings expectations,” he explained. “It’s important to know that in the UK we have generated more than £23m in cash for our shareholders in 2012. Due to our strong cashflows and the fact that we don’t make use of any external financing we see ourselves in a much better position than our major competitors in the UK market,” Adler added. Prinovis UK is also likely to benefit from next year’s planned closure of the group’s Itzehoe plant in Germany, which prints for a number of UK customers. Adler said this would probably result in the repatriation of some volume into Liverpool. Last year Prinovis put in a speculative bid for the BGP web offset business, and it has not ruled out the possibility of future web offset investment. Prinovis is currently running a direct marketing campaign aimed at...
read moreBAPC conference to focus on education, SMEs and social media
Ipex is one of the sponsors of the BAPC show at Borehamwood, Herts, and is funding the discount offer. People pre-registering for Ipex at the Excel in London from 24-29 March 2014, will be eligible for a £15 discount on the £25 ticket for the BAPC show, a non-profit event also open to non-members. The BAPC gathering from 17-18 January 2014 is themed “the best is yet to come” and speakers will include Ipex 2014 event director Trevor Crawford. He will talk on the importance of seizing every educational opportunity offered by the industry. BAPC chairman Sidney Bobb said: “We are going through a period of change and where there’s change there’s opportunity. Over the past couple of years it’s been hard for people to leave offices or their businesses to take advantage of educational programmes and exhibitions. “Trevor’s brief is to convince people to participate in these activities. They give you access to new technology and new and existing customers. Last week’s Cross Media show proved how popular education is: all seminar rooms were full, as people have a thirst for knowledge and information.” Crawford said: “Ipex 2014 has always had a strong affinity with the BAPC. The organisations are two aligning synergies that work to promote the print industry and I am looking forward to discussing this first hand with the BAPC’s members in January.” Other speakers include Steve Lovett, who will look at whether there is a future for SMEs and micro businesses, and consultant Mark Horgan. A Q&A session will query what is a brand, does a small business have a brand and if so, how can it be protected and maximised for profit. Bobb said: “Other areas that will come up for discussion are how companies can secure a high-ranking on search engines and whether social media is merely a consumer fad or can it help in business-to-business situations.” For more details on the BAPC conference click here and for Ipex 2014 click...
read moreBAPC conference to focus on education, SMEs and social media
Ipex is one of the sponsors of the BAPC show at Borehamwood, Herts, and is funding the discount offer. People pre-registering for Ipex at the Excel in London from 24-29 March 2014, will be eligible for a £15 discount on the £25 ticket for the BAPC show, a non-profit event also open to non-members. The BAPC gathering from 17-18 January 2014 is themed “the best is yet to come” and speakers will include Ipex 2014 event director Trevor Crawford. He will talk on the importance of seizing every educational opportunity offered by the industry. BAPC chairman Sidney Bobb said: “We are going through a period of change and where there’s change there’s opportunity. Over the past couple of years it’s been hard for people to leave offices or their businesses to take advantage of educational programmes and exhibitions. “Trevor’s brief is to convince people to participate in these activities. They give you access to new technology and new and existing customers. Last week’s Cross Media show proved how popular education is: all seminar rooms were full, as people have a thirst for knowledge and information.” Crawford said: “Ipex 2014 has always had a strong affinity with the BAPC. The organisations are two aligning synergies that work to promote the print industry and I am looking forward to discussing this first hand with the BAPC’s members in January.” Other speakers include Steve Lovett, who will look at whether there is a future for SMEs and micro businesses, and consultant Mark Horgan. A Q&A session will query what is a brand, does a small business have a brand and if so, how can it be protected and maximised for profit. Bobb said: “Other areas that will come up for discussion are how companies can secure a high-ranking on search engines and whether social media is merely a consumer fad or can it help in business-to-business situations.” For more details on the BAPC conference click here and for Ipex 2014 click...
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