Ian Melin-Jones
Metso to supply process automation system for Aylesford Newsprint’s PM14
Aylesford Newsprint Ltd, located in Aylesford, Kent, England, has awarded a contract to Metso for the supply and commissioning of a new process automation system for installation on PM14 newsprint machine.
The scope of supply is for a metsoDNA distributed control system and includes hardware, applications software, project management and commissioning. The metsoDNA comprises operator stations, process control stations, input/output cards, as well as links to other systems to gain maximum integration of control systems on PM14. The new system will replace an older technology system that was installed when the PM14 was originally built in 1995. Previous successful automation projects delivered to Aylesford Newsprint Ltd by Metso were important factors in evaluation and selection of the best vendor for this project.
Aylesford Newsprint Ltd has decided to make this investment to improve operations and avoid potential stoppages due to obsolescence problems. New and better operator displays, diagnostics and monitoring, will bring better and more efficient operations to PM14 production.
Aylesford Newsprint Ltd recycles 500,000 tonnes per annum of used newspapers and magazines in the manufacture of Renaissance; a 100% recycled publishing quality newsprint which is used by many of the UK and Europe’s regional and national newspaper publishers. Aylesford Newsprint Ltd is a joint venture company between SCA Forest Products and Mondi.
For more information, please contact: Mike Morrissey, Country Manager, UK, tel +44 7768 142877
or
Ari Pinjamaa, Vice President, Sales & Services, EMEA, tel. +358 40 708 9666
Sonoco Announces Price Increases for Molded Wood Products
Sonoco will increase prices for molded wood products by 7 percent effective on shipments as of April 15, 2010, according to James Harrell, vice president and general manager, Industrial Carriers Division, North America. Sonoco is one of the largest domestic suppliers of molded wood products for its served industries.
"Using 2005 as a baseline, lumber output in the United States has decreased from 40.5 billion board feet to 22.6 billion board feet in 2009. Since wood shavings are the primary raw material used to manufacture molded wood products, we have been adversely affected by decreased supply," said Harrell.
"Sonoco continues to make investments to drive productivity initiatives to help reduce costs to our customers including consolidating molded plug production in our facility in Bastrop, Louisiana," Harrell added. "Unfortunately, business conditions and our supply chain for materials are being stressed beyond what we can afford to absorb."
Sonoco
Roger Schrum, 001 843-339-6018
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Marketers’ Digital Spending to Overtake Print for First Time Ever, According to Outsell, Inc.
For the first time, spending on digital/online advertising and marketing will overtake print in 2010, according to new projections from Outsell, Inc. In an industry crossover event, companies will spend $119.6 billion on online and digital strategies, from search engine keywords to webinars, while committing $111.5 billion to print methods such as newspaper and magazine ads. Overall, U.S. spending on advertising and marketing will increase in 2010, but by just 1.2 percent to $368 billion.
Outsell’s “Marketing and Ad Spending Study 2010: Total US and B2B Advertising,” forecasts spending, share, and growth for five media types—online, events, print, TV/radio, and PR/other—and methods used within each, from social networking to mobile/wireless marketing.
“Advertisers are directing dollars toward the channels which generate the most qualified leads and most effective branding. As they emerge from the recession, they need more accountability, and they’re spreading their spending over a widening set of options,” said Chuck Richard, Vice President and Lead Analyst, Outsell.
Among findings:
• Print magazine advertising will be up 1.9 percent to $9.4 billion despite the popularity of online channels.
• Methods generating the highest B2B ROI are topped by advertisers’ own websites, followed by conferences, exhibitions and trade shows; direct mail; search engine keywords; and e-marketing/e-newsletters.
• B2B advertisers see cross-media marketing as most effective; 78% combine three or more major marketing methods.
• 51 percent of B2B marketers rate Facebook as extremely or somewhat effective, followed by LinkedIn (45 percent), Twitter (35 percent) and MySpace (25 percent).
Outsell surveyed more than 1,000 US advertisers in December 2009.
For the report, with publisher recommendations: http://www.outsellinc.com/store/products/912?refid=pr912.
Journalists: Contact Dawn Ringel, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Reorganising European sales
Norske Skog is reorganising its European sales organisation. The main changes are a general simplification of the sales office structure, and an increased focus on front line sales.
In the new model, the European sales organisation will consist of six regional sales hubs. The presence of our front line sales force and technical sales support in all markets will be assured through an increased use of home office solutions. In addition, customer critical services provided by the transaction centre in Antwerp, will be transferred to the regional sales hubs.
"The European publication paper market is in rapid change and the need for continued strong local presence and high quality technical sales support is more important than ever. Through the reorganisation of European sales we achieve both a simplified and more cost efficient structure, and an even tighter follow-up on Norske Skog's strong commitment to our customers", says senior vice president Jan Clasen.
Pöyry awarded EUR 1.2 million consulting assignment in Tanzania
Pöyry has been awarded a consulting services contract for providing institutional support to the Rural Energy Agency (REA) in Tanzania. The assignment includes two phases of services with a total value of about EUR 1.2 million.
The first phase covers two years and will commence in March 2010. The overall objective of the assignment is to provide technical assistance in developing and building the technical and institutional capacity of the REA to efficiently and effectively carry out its obligations.
The specific objectives of the first phase are to have the institutional set-up required for implementation and monitoring of the Government's policy for rural energy in place and to ensure that sustainable capacity within the REA to execute its obligations in the short and long term has been developed.
Pöyry will assist the Rural Energy Board in soliciting proposals for external funding. Assistance will also be provided in developing guidance and methods for preparation of bid packages for rural energy projects. Criteria for subsidy allocation and other strategic conditions for successful provision of modern energy services in rural areas will be reviewed. Of particular importance is the development of cooperation procedures between the REA and the regulator, EWURA. Procedures for sequencing of licensing and subsidy awards will be elaborated with EWURA.
Pöyry has extensive experience in the development of institutional frameworks and policy for the promotion of rural energy activities in Western, Southern and Eastern Africa and Asia.
Additional information by:
David Cox, Managing Director, Pöyry Energy Ltd, UK
Tel +44 1865 81 22 27
Therése Hindman Persson, Managing Director, Pöyry Management Consulting (Sweden) AB
Tel: +46 70 482 11 56
Sonoco Releases 2009 Annual Report to Shareholders
Sonoco one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, today announced that its 2009 Annual Report to Shareholders is now available on the Company's Web site at www.sonoco.com, in the "Investor Relations" section. The annual report entitled, "Lean, Fit and Ready to Grow," reviews Sonoco's financial performance in 2009 while highlighting how Sonoco has leaned its cost structure, further reduced debt to create one of the fittest balance sheets in the Company's history and continued to focus on growth.
"Clearly, 2009 was one of the most difficult, and yet one of the most rewarding years for Sonoco. The continuation of the deepest global recession in decades significantly impacted volumes Companywide, particularly in our businesses which serve industrial markets," Harris E. DeLoach, Jr., chairman, president and chief executive officer, wrote in his letter to shareholders in the 2009 Annual Report.
"In response we moved quickly to lean our business by sizing our manufacturing footprint to meet the new market realities of our served markets. In addition, we realigned our businesses and streamlined our management organization. By proactively 'managing the guts' of our business, we significantly reduced costs, achieved record productivity and improved annual gross profit margins to the highest level since 2007."
Throughout the 2009 Annual Report, case studies are outlined that illustrate Sonoco's strategy and successes during the year, including: the "game changing" Flavor Lock Lid and new composite paperboard can that Sonoco produces for Kraft Foods' Maxwell House coffee; Sonoco's successful packaging services and growth in Wroclaw, Poland; and Sonoco Recycling, Inc.'s growth in residential recycling in the Southeast United States.
Sonoco has mailed the 2009 annual report and proxy statement to its shareholders in preparation for its annual meeting, which will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at the Center Theater, 212 North Fifth Street, Hartsville beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. For those unable to attend the meeting in person, a live webcast can be accessed via the Internet at http://www.sonoco.com/, under the "Latest News" section. Those planning to participate should plan to connect to the live webcast at least 10 minutes prior to the start. The meeting webcast also will be archived on the "Investor Relations" section of Sonoco's Web site.
SOURCE: Sonoco
Sonoco
Roger Schrum, 843-339-6018
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
BTG sets new trend in ash retention measurement
BTG has now launched the perfect solution for measuring ash and total consistency of pulp suspensions in the range of 0.01 - 2% - the new RET-5503 PeakAsh. This latest addition to our new generation of easier, smaller, smarter, lighter optical sensors pursues our effort to create transmitters with a radically streamlined design that are easy-to-handle, slim and slender but also offer top performance at a very attractive pay-off.
Based on BTG's patented and well-proven Peak Method the new sensor employs LED and laser technology. furthermore, its electronic involves modern microprocessor technology with advanced signal analysis. This allows for easy calibration to always secure stable and highly accurate ash consistency measurements.
Like other BTG sensors, the new PeakAsh is operated using BTG's generic electronic platform, the CPM, which ensures compatibility with present and future communication interface requirements, from analogue output with HART to field buses. This monolithic communication interface makes handling the transmitter very user-friendly due to its familiar layout and menu navigation.
Being mounted in a special bypass arrangement the PeakAsh provides real-time results. The unit has a unique low-maintenance probe fed by a pump solution which makes the sensor indepenedent from process pressure and layout. A special wheel kit facilitates moving the unit from one site to another. Due to being embedded in a wide-ranging portfolio of options PeakAsh will always provide a proper solution for your papermaking process or your request as a chemical supplier.
RET-5503 PeakAsh offer a number of advanced capabilities:
* In general, it is the best suited sensor for accurate ash control applications.
* Combined with BTG's in-line sensors and specialist application know-how, it is the perfect solution for all white water ash and total consistency control applications.
* It can be highly recommended for DIP flotation optimization where highest ash accuracy is required.
* Its ability to hook up with a pre-configured PC allows chemical suppliers convenient data storage, remote equipment access and retention calculation - all through one customer-friendly software.
Sonoco Recycling Charlotte to Become a Full-Scale Material Recovery Facility
Work is underway to transition Sonoco Recycling, Inc.'s Charlotte Recycling Center into a full-scale material recovery facility (MRF) by early summer 2010. The $2.6 million project will result in the Charlotte center, located at 3901 Barringer Drive, becoming the third MRF owned and operated by the Company in the Southeast. The others are located in Raleigh, N.C., and Columbia, S.C.
"We're adding high-tech equipment that will allow us to further grow our capacity and more effectively sort residential single-stream waste. Additions will include new sorting screens, separators, high-speed conveyors, steel disks and other state-of-the-art equipment," said Marcy Thompson, vice president and general manager, Sonoco Recycling, Inc. "While Mecklenburg County is already served by a materials recovery facility, the area needs a second MRF because of the tremendous growth throughout the region. These upgrades, along with the upgrades we completed last fall, better position us to meet the recycling needs of this growing market."
In November 2009, Sonoco Recycling completed a $2 million expansion project at the Charlotte center. The project expanded the facility's footprint by 23,500 square feet and included the installation of new commercial sorting and baling equipment. In addition, the facility's outside space was redesigned to improve traffic flow.
Sonoco Recycling's Charlotte center accepts and processes corrugated boxes and other grades of paper as well as plastic and other materials.The facility accepts curbside material delivered by the public and offers flatbed pick up of baled material, and van pick up for loose, palletized or baled material. Sonoco, which processes and uses many of these recycled materials to produce recycled paperboard at its paper mills in the Southeast, then uses that paperboard to produce new consumer and industrial packaging, making Sonoco one of the few closed loop suppliers of packaging in the industry.
Sonoco Recycling is a leading recycler in North Carolina with nine locations. Annually, Sonoco collects and processes about 3 million tons of recyclable materials globally through 41 locations, and has a team of recycling professionals, many of whom are experts in waste management and manufacturing process improvement.
Howard Hutchings Appointed New Heidelberg CIO
From April 1, 2010, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) will have a new Chief Information Officer in the shape of Howard Hutchings (56). Following his IT studies in New Hampshire, U.S., Hutchings initially worked in the print media industry and finance.
In 1979, he joined what was then the Harris Graphics Corporation, a manufacturer of web offset presses that Heidelberg subsequently took over. Here, he was responsible for setting up and expanding the IT infrastructure. Following the takeover by Heidelberg, Hutchings relocated to Germany in an executive position with responsibility for developing the global IT infrastructure and Internet services.
NewPage to Purchase Domtar Coated Groundwood Product Lines
NewPage Corporation (NewPage) today announced that it has reached an agreement with Domtar Corporation to purchase Domtar's coated groundwood paper product lines and book of business. The purchase follows Domtar's decision to exit this business and close its Columbus , Mississippi , paper mill.
The purchase will include the coated groundwood paper book of business, the Choctaw ® , Saturn ® and Jupiter ™ brands, and the coated groundwood product inventory remaining after the Columbus mill closes. The transaction is expected to be completed in April.
"With Domtar's decision to permanently close its Columbus mill and exit the coated groundwood product sector, we will be working closely with Domtar to ensure that the immediate needs of their customers are met without any disruption of service," stated Tom Curley, president and chief executive officer for NewPage. "Going forward, we look forward to the opportunity to transition these customers to NewPage product and service offerings that meet their future business needs. We recognize that customers have a choice in paper suppliers, and we want to earn their business by ensuring they have a seamless transition to NewPage, should they desire to do so."