RICHMOND, BC—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.


A Catalyst plant in Port Alberni, BC

NEENAH, WISCONSIN—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

OTTAWA—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.

CANADA—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.

TORONTO—MPS Systems North America Inc. has named Toronto-based Northern Graphic Solutions Inc. the distributor of its flexo and offset presses in central and eastern Canada.


Left to right: Kees Nijenhuis, MPS vice-president of North American operations, Jerry Wynia, president of NGS

FRANCE—Output magazine is reporting that a wide-format print shop in Dammartin-en-Goële, France is currently being occupied by the two alleged gunman involved in the Charlie Hebdo killings.  Read more about the story here.

ALBERTA—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.

TORONTO—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.

OTTAWA—New Print has installed a 25" wide off line American Ultraviolet UV Roller Coater with a 22” X 28” feeder.


New Print owner François Bellama with the new coater

TORONTO—This week’s newsletter will be the last for 2014. We thank all of our readers and wish you all a happy holiday and a prosperous new year. We’ll see you in 2015 for all of the latest in the Canadian printing industry.