Business Management - Finance/Financial

NEW YORK—Alcoa announced it has completed the sale of its packaging and consumer businesses to New Zealand’s Rank Group Limited. Alcoa’s packaging and consumer businesses generated approximately 11 percent of Alcoa 2007 revenues and approximately 4.6 percent of 2007 after-tax operating income. Businesses included in the sale are: • Closure Systems International; • Consumer Products, including Reynolds Wrap branded products; • Flexible Packaging; and • Reynolds Food Packaging. In total, these packaging businesses have approximately 9,300 employees in 22 countries around the world. Alcoa will continue to operate its flat-rolled can sheet products serving the packaging market. Alcoa received approximately $2.5 billion in cash

NEW YORK—Alcoa announced it has completed the sale of its packaging and consumer businesses to New Zealand’s Rank Group Limited. Alcoa’s packaging and consumer businesses generated approximately 11 percent of Alcoa 2007 revenues and approximately 4.6 percent of 2007 after-tax operating income. Businesses included in the sale are: • Closure Systems International; • Consumer Products, including Reynolds Wrap branded products; • Flexible Packaging; and • Reynolds Food Packaging. In total, these packaging businesses have approximately 9,300 employees in 22 countries around the world. Alcoa will continue to operate its flat-rolled can sheet products serving the packaging market. Alcoa received approximately $2.5 billion in cash

DUNCANSVILLE, Pa.—Aquaflex, owned by F.L. Smithe Machinery, announced that it significantly exceeded 2006 sales projections, nearly doubling sales over the previous year. Mac Rosenbaum, vice president of F. L. Smithe said, “We nearly doubled the number of presses sold in 2006 over 2005. And, in 2005 we virtually doubled the number of presses delivered in 2004. It’s very gratifying to see the industry respond so positively to our new Aquaflex product line. We’ve all worked very hard to make the line relevant to the printer’s present and future needs.” While company officials declined to reveal specific sales data, they report that production lines have

DUNCANSVILLE, Pa.—Aquaflex, owned by F.L. Smithe Machinery, announced that it significantly exceeded 2006 sales projections nearly doubling sales over the previous year. Mac Rosenbaum, vice president of F. L. Smithe said, “We nearly doubled the number of presses sold in 2006 over 2005. And, in 2005 we virtually doubled the number of presses delivered in 2004. It’s very gratifying to see the industry respond so positively to our new Aquaflex product line. We’ve all worked very hard to make the line relevant to the printer’s present and future needs.” While company officials declined to reveal specific sales data, they report that production lines have

EXTON, Pa.—Global specialty chemicals manufacturer Sartomer Company will increase the price of its methacrylate monomers and urethane acrylate oligomers effective January 15, 2007 (or as contracts allow). Increases will vary by product line as follows: Methacrylate monomers increase will range from 10 cents to 15 cents per pound Urethane acrylate oligomers will increase by 15 cents per pound The price increase is due to the continuing escalation of key raw material costs that are on a tight supply situation. The increases will impact product shipments from the United States to the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Sartomer’s monomers, oligomers, and photoinitiators are used as raw

NORTHLAKE, Ill.—Sun Chemical announced it will raise prices on packaging, commercial and screen inks sold in North America, effective January 1, 2007. Prices on packaging inks will rise 4 percent to 6 percent, while prices on commercial and screen inks will go up 8 percent. “Despite our efforts to mitigate the impact of the rising costs in raw materials through active involvement with our supplier base and by driving internal efficiencies, we continue to face significant increases in all of our manufacturing costs,” said Richard Pettifor, president, Sun Chemical North American Packaging Inks. “During these challenging times we have taken many steps to reduce

With energy costs soaring, CPCs may be looking for additional ways to attract consumers' diminished spending power. AS IF BUSINESS wasn't tough enough already, the drastic rise in oil prices over the last several months will test the fabric of people and companies throughout every stage of the supply chain. The pain will be felt everywhere, starting at the end of the supply chain—the consumer—who supports the flow of money throughout the long, complicated supply-chain trail. The typical consumer is going to have noticeably less hard cash left in his or her pocket after putting gas in the car and staying warm