International Paper

"International Paper isn't a growth story," CEO John Faraci told Barron's. Faraci has led the packaging giant since 2003, transforming it to a global powerhouse. "It's about free cash flow."

The Memphis-based company is the world's leading producer of the containerboard used to make corrugated brown boxes in which 95% of all goods are shipped. And the company is seeing hopeful signs that the U.S. economy might be gaining steam. Sales in its industrial-packaging business were up 3% year over year in April, the best performance it has posted in more than three years.

xpedx and Unisource Worldwide have chosen the name Veritiv for the leading distribution solutions company that will be created upon completion of their merger.

Excess capacity in the packaging market is driving margin compression, but the flip side of any challenge is opportunity. And ASG (AGI-Shorewood Group) is quietly deploying the products—bespoke color branding, large-format digital presses, plastics, a new stand-alone creative agency—and the strategy to leverage the company's positive sales momentum.

The Print Industries Market Information and Research Organization (PRIMIR) will release critical research to provide unique perspectives on developing industry markets by the end of the year.

Endurance Printing Plates will be offered as part of the broad portfolio of xpedx printing papers, media, equipment and other consumables available through more than 75 distribution centers across the country.

Revolutions in the packaging and converting industries are seeing the rise of digital printing, robotic equipment, and even printable solar panels.

xpedx’s Cincinnati Distribution Center on Reading Road has achieved a significant safety milestone by surpassing five years without an OSHA recordable incident. “Throughout xpedx there is a strong belief that all safety incidents are preventable, and that an accident-free workplace is achievable,” said Chris Baum, general manager, xpedx Cincinnati.

TAPPI has selected its three new Board of Directors for 2012. They are: Michael Exner, (RockTenn), Steven J. Shifman (Michelman, Inc.) and E. Clayton Teague (National Nanotechnology Coordination Office—Retired). Elected to begin their three-year terms in March 2012, they will join Norman F. Marsolan and Thomas J. Garland who continue to serve as TAPPI Chair, and TAPPI Vice Chair, respectively.

xpedx, a business unit of International Paper, has expanded its North American network of package design with the opening of a new package design center in its Cincinnati location.

xpedx packaging customers to realize increased speed to market CINCINNATI, Ohio – xpedx, one of the largest and premier distribution companies in North America, has expanded its North American network of package design with the opening of a new package design center in its Cincinnati location at 4510 Reading Road. The new package design center will allow xpedx to lower packaging costs for Cincinnati-area customers and increase their speed to market. xpedx is a business of International Paper. "The key capability that we're gaining with the Cincinnati package design center is increased speed to market for our customers in