CNG acquires Spicers Canada

Central National-Gottesman Inc. (CNG), a global distributor of pulp, paper and forestry products, is expanding its North American distribution business by adding Spicers Canada—one of the country’s primary distributors of fine paper, sign and display media, industrial packaging and graphic arts supplies—to its growing portfolio of regional paper merchants.

Spicers Canada president,
Cory Turner >> continued

Yellow Pages changes the way it distributes its directory

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Drytac Canada appoints new technical services manager

Drytac Canada has appointed Brian Gibson as its technical services manager. Gibson has over 25 years of experience in the print industry and holds a degree in marketing and sales from Humber College. He worked for Seal as a technical service and application specialist, prior to this appointment.

In his new position Gibson will be responsible for technical support and training for Drytac’s line of finishing equipment.  >> continued

The Label Factory is home to Canada’s first JFlex870

RDP digital and Northern Graphic Solutions have sold the first JFlex870 in Canada. The 870 is an IPT digital print conversion system that was recently introduced to the Canadian label printing market.

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The CPEIA gathers 32 founding members in two months

The Canadian Printable Electronics Industry Association (CPEIA) has achieved some major milestones, which include, obtaining 32 founding members, brokering strategic relationships with key partner organizations, and securing major sponsors for the 2015 Canadian Printable Electronics Symposium.

The CPEIA made its debut in November at IDTechEx’s Printed Electronics USA conference, and aims to be the united voice of the Canadian printable electronics sector. The founding members represent a cross section of the industry, from materials, devices and prototyping, to manufacturing, and printing. >> continued

Catalyst Paper acquires Wisconsin and Maine-based paper mills

Canadian paper manufacturer Catalyst Paper Corporation has completed the acquisition of the Biron paper mill in Wisconsin and the Rumford pulp and paper mill in Maine.  The deal was initially announced last October. The cash payment made on closing was US$62.4 million after giving effect to an adjustment under the purchase agreement based on estimated working capital at closing, and the final purchase price is subject to certain additional post-closing adjustments.
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Menasha Corporation acquires Brampton-based PearceWellwood Inc.

Menasha Corporation has acquired the Brampton, Ontario-based PearceWellwood Inc.—a designer and full-service manufacturer of corrugated displays for the retail industry and provider of fulfillment and distribution services. PearceWellwood will now operate as part of Menasha Packaging Company, LLC, a subsidiary of the Menasha Corporation.  Menasha has also acquired—from PearceWellwood’s parent company, Pearce Group—an ownership interest in Tencorr Packaging, a corrugated sheet manufacturer with plants in Mississauga and Brampton.


Left to right: Jim Kotek, president/CEO of Menasha Corp., Mike Waite, president of Menasha Packaging Company >> continued

Shipments looking good for fall

Fall numbers paint a positive picture of the Canadian printing industry, with increases for the last several months. But the good news is due in large part to Statistics Canada’s tracking of Alberta shipments which it had ignored for at least a couple of years. B.C.’s shipments, however, continue to be absent.

Shipments (in millions)	2014	2013	% Change
July	$646.9	$543.7	19
August	$643.5	$577.1	11.5
September	$677.5	$587.6	15
October	$732.0	$648.0	13

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The printed word is still popular according to TMT predictions

According to Deloitte’s annual TMT predictions, sales of print books will account for 80% of books sold in the developed world—despite the fact that e-readers, smartphones and tablets are everywhere.

Currently in its 14th year, TMT predictions provides an outlook on the 10 most important trends for Canada in the technology, media and telecommunications industry for the next 12 to 18 months.

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Exports pick up pace in 2014

The rate of trade between Canada and the rest of the world continues to thive. Both imports and exports posted positive numbers.

Imports were on the rise in 2014. Year to date numbers (Jan-Octo) show a 6.8% jump to $1.2 billion in 2014 from $1.13 billion in 2013.

Exports also increased by 15.7 %. In 2014, year-to-date figures stood at $828.4 million, up from $716.1 in 2013.

Exports (in millions)	2014	2013	% Change
August	$81.7	$78.3	4.3
September	$87.5	$74.5	17
October	$96.8	$73.1	32

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