Paper
PSM restarts production after administrators called in
Production has restarted at French uncoated fine paper manufacturer Pont Sainte Maxence (PSM) after administrators were appointed on 1 August.
PSM makes recycled papers for the UK market, including the Era Pure range distributed by Robert Horne under the Revive 100 Offset brand and PaperCo under the 9lives Offset brand.
PSM is the only company to produce Take 2 Offset Laser, 9lives Offset, Revive 100 Uncoated, Revive 50 Uncoated and Oxygen 50 :50.
Of the 120,000 tonnes it produced annually, 45,000 tonnes are recycled paper. The company also supplies papers through Elliott Baxter and the James McNaughton Group.
Production was temporarily halted at the 200-staff mill after administrators were appointed by the French Court of Commerce, although further details were not available at the time of writing.
PSM is now in a six-month ‘trial period’ while it looks for a buyer. None of the mill’s 200 staff have been made redundant.
Commercial director Alexandre Riesser said: "PSM's move into administration was expected. It is necessary to change the very complicated ownership situation of the mill and it does open up new horizons.
"The situation can be solved, as it's a cash problem, which is partly solved thanks to the freezing of debts."
PSM’s administration comes at a time when the UK paper supply has been dealt a blow by significant cost increases and the negative impact of the UK exchange rate to the euro. This has resulted in price increases that are currently being confirmed by mills for September.
Robert Horne managing director Alistair Gough said many mills are in an unsustainable position and "the supply and demand balance in the [recycled] sector will certainly be slightly tighter for a time".
"However, while the PSM situation may reduce overall supply there are other manufacturers investing in the supply of recycled grades," he added.
James McNaughton group marketing director Tony Porter said the news was "indicative of the difficulties facing papermakers".
However, Porter said that there are alternative sources of supply that will satisfy the UK market.
The PSM mill began production in 1932 and in 2000 it was bought by Metsä-Serla.
In 2001, it changed its name to M-real PSM and in 2006, M-real sold the mill to German company Arques Industries for an undisclosed sum (PrintWeek, 6 July 2006).
PSM mill
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Comments
Paschal Edwards - 11 August 2008
I've beaten Colin to the 'comment'
Simon Biltcliffe- Webmart - 11 August 2008
me 2-hurrah for us!
with 15% price rises talked about in most web grades this is the last thing we need
if you have any spare money, hedging on paper options is a great way to make money. read this 11.09.09 & see where the price of your paper has gone to between then & now!!
Simon Biltcliffe
MD
WEBMART
www.FreePaperSales.com
...coming soon...coming soon...coming etc!
Colin Thompson - 11 August 2008
Unfortunately, Pont Sainte Maxence (PSM) are one of many to suffer in this way. The time is running out for businesses with no Strategic Plan, the right people and business models to operate for success!
STRATEGIES FOR LEADING CHANGE is required to survive in these very hard times.
A generic approach to change that can be adapted and used in many situations, from small changes in Organisational Development to be Successful to major re-alignments is required now globally.The
company-wide drive to achieve a consistent approach to change by:
§ Raising awareness of the importance of effective leadership of change
§ Highlighting the use of change management processes in general
§ Highlighting the critical success factors for effective implementation
Today, it is vital that all senior management builds and delivers superior long-term value to meet and exceed the expectations of all its organisations shareholders.
Open your mind up to the `Challenges` we face in a global trading environment to be successful.
If only Pont Sainte Maxence (PSM had moved with rapid pase they could have been successful!
Colin Thompson
Cavendish
www.cavendish-mr.org.uk
Truth and Justice - 11 August 2008
Colin? ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Alexander Martin - 11 August 2008
I am quite new to the site and the industry and to say that I find Colin Thompson a huge bore and an complete and utter "I know it all" is an understatement!! Tell me Colin, what's elevnerife like this time of year?
Sorry, but I just had to get that off my chest.
Dave Wright - 11 August 2008
Colin, you must spend half your time on this site quoting from some of the management/motivational books you read.
Just think, if you'd been there to coach the senior management team at PSM, and open up their minds to the 'challenges faced in a global trading environment' they'd probably still be around. I could even say the same about some of the other recent industry casualties that you chose to offer you words of wisdom to - you should start a Business Training company and we'll call you in when times get tough.
I can only assume that your business or place of work must be absolutely thriving due to you presence & expertise in seemingly everything.
The Mighty wind - 11 August 2008
get ready colin there will soon be more bad news from an announcement in the Northants area soon, look to the sky and prepare your words
Simon Biltcliffe- Webmart - 11 August 2008
GOOD NEWS TO ALL PRINTWEEK USERS! THE MARKET MAY BE CRAP, THERE MAY BE NO PAPER SOON, NO-ONE IS MAKING ANY MONEY AND INK MAY SHOOT UP 30% BUT... AND IT'S A BIG BUT
I thought I'd click on Colin's profile to see who the fcuk he is and I got this message:
Deactivated User Account
The user you have selected to view or contact has been deactivated by the administrator.
The Gods of print are smiling on us once more. We've turned the corner lads.
Smell the nearest flower & look to the sky for the parting in the clouds singing " Happy Days are here again"!!!
:¬)
Dave Dee - 11 August 2008
That's been deactivated for a while...somehow he is still able to pontificate and lecture us on the state of our industry though?!
DEAN SEDDON - 11 August 2008
Colin,
I find it a little sad that you feel the need to comment on every companies downfall (in any circumstances)
It annoys me that you use others misfortune as a way to promote your own business activities. It seems you are building more and more people who don't like your comments.
It strikes me that perhaps you have trained on some american lifestyle / busines guru course (no doubt some fee payable or perhaps 30 day money back guarantee scheme, and now you are an expert on print industry and how to transform the world.
Let me see, where were you BEFORE Quebcor? Where were you BEFORE B&T, Where we you Colin, with your talents you could have saved those companies with your amazing foresight and knowledge.
Colin - some advice for you, don't do the 'i told you so thing' it doesn't wash. True business guru's have been there in good and bad, battled tough times at the top and been on the shop floor.
Sorry guys, i was getting soooo annoyed at this guy. tried to keep it fairly pleasant.
Print Week - unblock Colin's account, he is doing wonders for your hit rate and i bet your comments section has massively increased due to the frustration he is causing.
The Mighty wind - 12 August 2008
As one of the quebecor mob, i concur with deans sentiments. Pointing out icebergs after you have been sunk by them is depressing. it is a very sorry time for the trade whats needed is not jargon but a realization that this trade is dying unless the sector [in all its forms] fights its corner. More bad news is coming
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