What's Happening at Gould
The 4th September saw one of our regular annual events take place - the 2014 Supplier Golf Day at Leatherhead Golf Club, just 5 minutes from our office. The event was a huge success full of competition between the seven teams of golfers. For a full report on the day including an album of photos, please click here.
If you have any comments about any of the items contained in this newsletter or would like to find out more about what we do here at Gould, please do not hesitate to contact us on tel: 01372 385101 or email: sales@gouldpublicationpapers.co.uk
Have a great month!
All at Gould UK
   
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The team at Gould have been busy updating and adding to the blog that is situated on our main website. Take a look below and have a read of one of our most recent blog posts:
A Truly Dedicated 12th Man!
One of our very valued customers Simon Lewis, Head of Production at JD Williams was extremely excited to share with us the news that he featured on the July issue of the Manchester United brochure, The 12th Man.... Read More
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Swiss speciality manufacturer Cham Paper have announced plans to cut further jobs within Switzerland as part of its corporate decision to move all paper production out of it’s home base into the Euro zone.
AP&P have opened an office in Germany as part of their European expansion plans.
Paperlinx has announced further re-structuring following their earlier cost cutting of 18% of the European workforce.
Rumoured that both UPM & Lecta are interested in either a merger, or partial acquisition of critical parts of the Burgo Paper Group. Other interested parties are also looking at specific production options.
Sappi announced that it intends to cut >50 jobs across the site at their Kirkniemi mill in Finland. This prompted a temporary workforce strike, in protest.
Norske Skog have announced improved results in Q2 earnings as a result of lower costs and improved margins.
As reported in a previous newsletter, Burgo have finally closed their Avezzano mill.
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Homebase continue to close under performing stores as part of their plans to cut costs, and intend to close a further 20 stores by the end of 2014.
John Lewis’ ‘Collect Plus’ for online customers continues to roll out across a range of diverse outlets.
Menzies news distribution group report a rise in first half revenues, but mainly due to new contracts in its Aviation business.
Major High Street retailer Tesco has announced an 11 year low on profitability, and it is now hoping that new boss Dave Lewis can turn things around and recover market share from their largest competitors.
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Hearst Magazines UK are to cease the printed version of Company Magazine that began life in 1978. As from October 2014 it will only be available in digital format.
Centaur Media have advised a marginal fall in their trading revenue for Q1/Q2 in 2014. Their mainstream publishing division, which includes titles Creative Review & Marketing Week saw a slight increase in revenue.
Collectibles specialist Topp launched the Barclays Premier League Sticker Activity Book to coincide with the start of the new football season.
Trinity Mirror Group’s Mark Hollinshead, their Chief Operating Officer has resigned after 17 years at the publisher.
Johnston Press newspaper group have reported a rise in Q1/Q2 profitability in spite of falling revenues.
IPC Media has teamed up with Boku to provide a mobile payment platform, that enables readers to subscribe to chosen titles by text.
Simon Bax, Archant chairman has written to shareholders stating that the company should be debt free by the end of 2014, and that their current status is in line with projected expectations.
Radio Times have produced a Doctor Who special digital version as the latest series returns to the TV screens.
Axel Springer has reported a strong rise in Q1/Q2 earnings due mainly to their digital activities.
LA publishers, Penske Media Corp is in the process of acquiring the Fairchild Fashion Medias trade magazines from Conde Nast Publishing.
REMEMBER - PAPER IS A SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE
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- Local company, global presence
- Complimentary Paper Management Service
- Competitive pricing
- In excess of 86 years experience in servicing all publishing sectors
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Having backed off its pressure on the AP&P group, Greenpeace have switched its focus to exert pressure on the other Indonesian based pulp & paper group, APRIL by calling on customers to boycott their products. APRIL has stated that they are compliant with their sustainability policies and that the Greenpeace attack is un-substantiated, and ‘out of order’. The issue has occurred over photos that infer APRIL has cleared forests of HCV (High Conservation Value).
The FSC have formally announced a ‘pull back’ on their plans with the OCP (Online Claims Platform). They have acknowledged the administrative burden of the project and the data protection implications could result in pushing companies away from renewing their FSC accreditation. Revisions to the plan will now be incorporated in their Certification Standards, and draft amendments are already under way for the Executive to approve as soon as possible. These are now likely to be introduced in 2016, meaning that the project is running some two years behind the original schedule. However, FSC advised that >300 clients are still testing the OCP module, but these certificate holders are predominantly in the timber industry.
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The printing industry is mourning the loss of one of the strongest advocates for print, with the untimely death of Kathy Woodward, Chief Executive of the BPIF.
Sun European Partners –owners of the Polestar Group, have confirmed the acquisition of The River Group and will now implement their partnership plans between the two operations.
Heidelberg has regionally focused its UK colour certification team to accommodate the growing interest in the ISO 12647-2 colour management standard. Heidelberg expect there to be a big increase over the next 12 months, as printers realize the potential of the ISO standard as a key sales tool.
Wyndeham Group have announced a consultation process over their intended closure of Print Direct in Stockport with the loss of >20 jobs
De La Rue have won the coveted Bank of England bank note 10-year printing contract which starts in April 2015.
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The Scottish referendum will take place on 18th September to decide on their right to become independent –or not, from the UK. Their part within the UK has been ever present for over 300 years however if the decision is a ‘yes’ vote, then it’s a one way existence in the future, since they will be unable to reverse the decision, and will have to face up to a raft of social & economic changes within their lifestyle. What effect this will have on paper, print & publishing remains one of the many unanswered questions.
A Two-sides report has highlighted that >9million fewer books were given as gifts in 2013, as consumers turn towards digital formats, which represents a 4% decline year on year since 2012. A similar trend has been seen in the USA where sales are down from 24% to 22% over the same period. (source: two-sides.info)
And finally our Environmental Officer –Roger Warwick was one of the 20000 plus cyclists to participate in this years Prudential Ride London/Surrey 100 mile charity ride in probably the worst weather of the year in early August. He came through the challenge unscathed over the foreshortened distance of 86 miles after the organizers erred on the side of safety due to the weather, saying that it was one of the hardest days on the bike he could recall. He collected his medal in the Mall at the finish having raised over £1100 for Help the Hospices charity.
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