February’s headlines dominated by UPM crisis

02 March 2022

Business

With its vast implications across the industry, it’s no surprise that the ongoing strike action at UPM’s Finnish mills dominates February’s round-up of the most-read articles on printweek.com, although the continuing saga of the RRD sale process – which has now finally completed – also proved popular.

1 Despair as UPM strike extended for third time 8,639 clicks
Printers, print buyers and paper merchants are in despair after UPM announced that strike action at its Finnish mills could be extended for a third time and by a further three weeks – until 12 March.

2 UPM crisis deepens, manufacturer cites force majeure 6,436 clicks
UPM is citing ‘force majeure’ for its inability to fulfil customer orders due to the strike action crippling its Finnish mills, but unions have rejected this assertion, describing the situation as “a conflict caused by the company pursuing its ideological objectives”.

3 Paper shortages now on mainstream news agenda 5,439 clicks
The issues around paper and label shortages have now reached the national news with the BBC picking up on the potential ramifications of the current supply squeeze.

4 Husband and wife directors barred 4,047 clicks
A husband and wife team have been disqualified from acting as directors after failing to keep adequate records at their signage business.

5 RRD mystery buyer withdraws offer, group suffers cyber attack 3,927 clicks
The unnamed "strategic buyer" that made an unsolicited non-binding bid to acquire RR Donnelley for $11.50 (£8.48) per share in cash has withdrawn its offer.

6 Edwardthompson to close after 155 years 3,567 clicks
A historic North East print firm is set to close its doors after the coronavirus pandemic halved its sales.

7 Threat of further extension to UPM strike 3,317 clicks
The long-running strike action at UPM’s Finnish mills could be extended for a fourth time – into April – unless the parties reach agreement.

8 Finat warns on paper strike pressures on supply chain 2,909 clicks
Finat has warned that the continued union strike “in some Nordic paper mills” is posing severe lead time problems for European label converters.

9 Communisis in mega HP PageWide install 2,789 clicks
Communisis has invested £14m in six new HP PageWide presses to maintain its high service levels and flexibility.

10 Morrisons makes milk packaging switch 2,680 clicks
Supermarket Morrisons is claiming a first after switching its own-brand milk to cartons from plastic bottles.