Alpharetta, Ga.-based Neenah (NYSE: NP) said the purchase would be financed through existing credit facilities and operating cash flows with closing expected Jan. 31, 2012.

“The purchase of these profitable brands is consistent with our stated intent to participate in the consolidation of the premium paper category when it can create significant value for our shareholders with minimal investment,” said Neenah CEO John O’Donnell, in a statement. “The timing of this opportunity enables us to improve returns through greater utilization of our existing asset base and growth in new channels such as retail.”

Neenah’s products include Classic, Environment, Crane, Sundance, Kimdura, Gessner, Jet-Pro SofStretch and Varitess.

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The full-service print shop in Minnesota used to outsource six-page brochures to larger printing companies and get them back two to four days later. “Now, with the iGen4 EXP press we can produce them ourselves within hours,” said Joel Johnson, president and Chief Operating Officer, Bryant Graphics. “The press drastically cuts turnaround time and our customers are noticing.”
ALLPRO Direct Marketing, a full-service marketing firm, became the first in Florida to acquire the iGen4 EXP press. They rely on the press to produce direct-mail marketing campaigns, personalized invitations, postcards and other 1:1 marketing solutions – many of which are processed using uDirect Classic variable data software from XMPie, A Xerox Company.

“The majority of our work is variable data, short runs. With the iGen4 EXP press we can print quicker and less expensively compared to presses that only print smaller sheet sizes,” said Tom McLaren, president and CEO, ALLPRO Direct Marketing. “Since we can offer our customers much more in terms of digital printing and personalization, we’re thinking about installing an additional iGen4 EXP press.”

The iGen4 EXP press is a key component in the multi-channel campaigns Georgia-based basiQa produces for its corporate marketing clients. The software solutions provider needed a device to accommodate a variety of media, a digital front end that could easily integrate with the company’s custom software and larger sheet capacity – and the iGen4 EXP press delivers.

“Our typical print run is between 5,000 and 500,000 custom pieces – and with the iGen4 EXP press we don’t need to waste our clients’ time and money on pre-printed offset shells. We’re delivering full-color, personalized capabilities at the same price, or even less,” said Joel Rowland, president and founder of the document technology company.

Rowland said the iGen4 EXP press’s increased sheet size allows the company to produce marketing campaigns at a lower cost, giving them a significant competitive advantage and opening them up to new markets.

EarthDigital, a division of EarthColor, a national print provider, relies on two iGen4 EXP presses to handle demand for unique direct-mail pieces that include die cutting and oversized pages. The enhanced finishing options and larger sheet size add significant capabilities to the five iGen4 presses already in its shop.

By using FreeFlow Process Manager and Output Manager software,
EarthDigital automates each step of the print operation process, allowing increased productivity from start to finish.

“The iGen4 EXP press strengthens our digital offerings and with the larger sheet size we’re maximizing paper usage and getting more out of each run,” said Nicholas Brusco, president, EarthDigital. “The environmental impact is always a concern, so printing more multi-up jobs and getting more usable output on each sheet while using less paper is critical.”

The expanded Productolith Pts. Digital offering now includes: 12 pt. coated two side (C2S) with the complete offering including 10, 12 and 14 pt. coated one side (C1S) and 10 and 12 pt. C2S. Productolith Pts. Digital has an exceptionally smooth surface, bright blue-white shade and semi-gloss finish that creates superior printed graphics and photography on dry and liquid toner printers, color and black & white laser printers and digital offset equipment.

Productolith Pts. Digital is the ideal paper solution for a variety of applications including: book covers, folding cartons, cosmetic packaging, software packaging, table tents, on demand printing, pocket folders, variable imaging, postcards, direct mail and business cards.

Productolith Pts. Digital contains 10 percent post-consumer recycled fiber and is chain-of-custody (CoC) certified to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) schemes and is in compliance with the Lacey Act requirements.

“Hudson Valley was founded in 1875 and is one of the leading fine paper distributors in the Northeast,” said Ken Wallach, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Central National-Gottesman. “Hudson Valley is managed by members of the fourth and fifth generation of the founding family and maintains the pride, integrity, and professionalism embodied in its long and distinguished history. We look forward to adding the accomplished professionals at Hudson Valley to our existing New England sales and support team. This acquisition enables us to offer our customers and suppliers an unrivaled level of service while strengthening our leading position in the important Northeast market.”

This transaction is Lindenmeyr Munroe’s fourth acquisition of a paper merchant in the past 15 months, including three in the United States and one overseas. It demonstrates Central National-Gottesman’s commitment to the paper distribution business and the company’s strong desire to grow, both organically and through strategic acquisitions.

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Neenah selected four 2009 annual reports to be included in the kit along with a brochure titled “Thoughts on Annual Reports and Global Happiness.” Those looking for ideas to incorporate into their own designs will find reports from VF Corporation, a branded apparel retailer; Audubon, an organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems; Ceres, a national network of organizations and investors that works to integrate sustainability into capital markets; and Neenah Paper’s own annual report. They all showcase the tactile and visual appeal of using premium uncoated papers to personalize the corporate message to the individual investor.

“An annual report must communicate credibility and transparency, as well as establish a memorable connection with stakeholders. Neenah provides an extraordinary selection of textures and colors that offer designers opportunities to make that connection,” says Tom Wright, director of advertising and promotions for Neenah Paper. “Excellent performance on press, availability in a wide range of textures, colors, and environmental attributes, as well as pricing that works within any AR budget—these are the factors that make our Text and Cover papers the ideal choice for annual reports.”

Neenah’s own internationally award-winning report titled “What We Believe” is a stunning example of a well-articulated message communicated through a mixture of striking imagery and strong typography, then printed on a rich selection of papers. Designed by Addison of New York City, the book communicates core values and corporate strength in spite of the severe economic downturn. The sturdy hardcover book wrapped with decorative component cover material from Neenah’s Technical Products Division belies the beautiful use of textured, colored, and pearlized papers inside. Each page clearly demonstrates just how much the paper selection contributes to the overall impact of any printed piece.

The campaign was created to connect readers to the challenges private landowners face in growing and maintaining healthy forests. For more information on the awareness campaign visit www.GoPaperGrowTrees.com. The interactive Website provides numerous forestry facts and dispels many myths, along with offering other exciting multimedia tools.

“It’s important to understand that tree farmers and other private landowners plant about four million trees every day, which is about three to four times more than they harvest,” said Teri Shanahan, IP’s vice president, Commercial Printing. “By planting trees and managing forests responsibly, landowners are given the financial incentive they need to maintain and protect the valuable forest resources that provide benefits for present and future generations.”

Without the income from tree farming, landowners face economic pressure to pay property taxes and replace lost revenue. A common outcome is converting forestlands to other uses such as agricultural crops that have shorter growing and cash cycles than forest products. Another tempting prospect is to sell the land for development. In either case, the forest is removed forever and so are the benefits of cleaner water, better air, wildlife habitat and biodiversity. Healthy forests are life-support systems—and demand for paper products ensures landowners continue to farm trees.

“By providing a clearer understanding of who owns the forests and the challenges these landowners face, ‘Go Paper. Grow Trees.’ is intended to correct misinformation and provide a realistic perspective on the role that paper products play in keeping our forests healthy and growing,” added Shanahan. “Consumers continue to be environmentally conscious in the choices they make, so it’s important they base their decisions on facts. The facts are paper products are a sustainable, renewable, recyclable and biodegradable resource—and using paper products can actually lead to a healthier forest ecosystem and the demand for and growth of more trees.”