Archive for July, 2006
Record Second-Quarter Earnings Announced by Wausau Paper
Wausau Paper (NYSE:WPP) today reported net earnings for the second quarter of $3.6 million or $0.07 per share, compared with a net loss of $2.7 million, or $0.05 per share, the year before. Net sales increased 8 percent to $297.3 million while shipments increased 4 percent to 232,000 tons, both records for any quarter.
In discussing the year-over-year second-quarter comparison, Thomas J. Howatt, president and CEO, stated, “Revenues rose to record levels as two of our three business segments increased sales at double-digit rates. This performance was primarily attributable to strong towel and tissue markets, improved uncoated freesheet market conditions, and a continued focus on the strategic drivers of our long-term success - attractive niche markets, product innovation, benchmark customer service, and operational excellence. Continued progress was evident in several key measures. For instance, approximately 30 percent of revenues came from products developed in the last three years, comfortably exceeding our corporate goal of 25 percent, and paper mill productivity improved 2 percent year-over-year, continuing to build on consistent gains in recent years. These sales and efficiency gains helped offset year-over-year fiber and energy cost increases of $0.08 per share.”
No-Charge Color Proofing and Free Shipping Introduced by Print LTD
Veteran online color printers continue to sharpen competitive stance.
In a break with online printing industry norms, Print Ltd (www.printltd.com) online full-color printers headquartered in Seattle, Washington—announced that they will no longer add a fee for proofing, and that they will now offer free shipping to anywhere in North America.
The company had found it increasingly difficult to justify charging the proofing fee. “Many, perhaps most, printers apply a fee, but we felt this was an item we could and should remove from our customers’ bills” said Print Ltd’s General Manager, Darlene Richard. She went on to say: “We’ve built our business on top quality full-colour printing, excellent service, and very competitive pricing. We wield a sharp pencil to keep our prices directly competitive with the world’s best online printing companies. These initiatives reflect that.”
Heidelberg to Emphasize Corporate Social Responsibility
The value system operated by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG lays down the following principle: “We support the principle of sustainability and promote social and cultural life at our company’s sites.” How this “Corporate Social Responsibility” (CSR) is exercised and managed in practice is now discussed in the company’s newly published Sustainability Report 2005/2006. For Heidelberg, the world market leader in sheetfed offset, the “complete sustainability system” covers the CSR cornerstones of economics, ecology, and social commitment.Corporate Social Responsibility also means boosting efficiency and thereby ensuring long-term job security.
“The commissioning of our new production site in Shanghai, China, is an important step in this direction,” says Bernhard Schreier, CEO of Heidelberg. Up to now - particularly in the lower market segments in China - little could be done to counter national competition. Now, production is tailored specifically to the needs of this market with locally developed products. “The advantage is we can now supply our customers directly, thereby reinforcing our strong position on the growing Asian market.”