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Discusses the merger of Scott Paper Co. with Kimberly-Clark Corp. which Scott Chairman and CEO Albert J. Dunlap heralds as an astounding achievement for the previously underperforming tissue paper manufacturer. Professional triumph for Dunlap who more than doubled the stock price of the company in only more than a year; Benefits of the deal for Dunlap; Claim by critics that Dunlap is leaving the company in a much less healthy position than he claims. INSETS: Two views of a turnaround.;Losing ground with American shoppers.;The making of a corporate tough guy..

Alston (Pete) Correll thought the worst was finally behind him and Georgia-Pacific, the $23 billion pulp and paper giant he has led since 1993. The asbestos liability problem and the $13 billion in debt that was left over from an $11 billion acquisition of Fort James, the maker of well-known brands like Dixie cups, Quilted Northern toilet tissue and Brawny towels, was thought to be under control. Last year started on a downbeat. Bondholders reportedly called on the board to get rid of Correll. The directors met in early 2003, clearly worried about GP's continuing ability to service its debt. GP's luck also began to turn last year. For one thing the junk bond market finally came to life, looking favorably on so-called fallen angels like GP. For all the tort liabilities, GP was generating a lot of cash. Offering yields as high as 9.4%, Correll managed to raise $2.5 billion in the junk market last year, getting the banks off his back. To everyone's surprise the housing market held, giving a lift to GP's building materials business. Correll's goal is still to end up with a smaller but more profitable consumer products company. The real bounce has come in GP's stock, which went from a low of $10 in October 2002 to a recent $31. This in the face of long-term debt that still towers at $11.1 billion. That's $2 billion less than a year ago, Correll points out. The board seems to appreciate his efforts--so far.

The article looks at the financial decline of the U.S. forest and paper products manufacturer Scott Paper and its management by chief executive Philip Lippincott as of July 1983. Topics include Scott's financial performance, competition in the paper products industry, and a five-point plant by Lippincott for business development. Also discussed are the company's assets and its attractiveness to acquisitors such as Canadian investment firm Brascan Ltd.

The article reports on the implications of the acquisition of the San Francisco, California-based paper company Crown Zellerbach Corp. by Sir James Goldsmith of the Richmond, Virginia-based specialty-paper and tissue producer James River Corp. on December 16, 1985. Crown shareholders ended up with about 50 percent premium over the price of Crown's stock. In turn, Goldsmith acquires 1.9 million acres of timberland including Crown's container operations and office-products distribution unit.

The article provides information on the ten biggest merger & acquisition (M&A) deals in Canada from January 2007 to January 2008. Russia's OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel took over LionOre Mining International Ltd. for $6.5 billion on June 27, 2007. Abitbi-Consolidated Inc. and Bowater Inc. have merged in order to compete better in the market for paper products. Canetic Resources Trust was acquired by Penn West Energy Trust in a $5.5 billion stock and debt transaction.

The article assesses the outcome of the merger of U.S. regional paper container makers Am Ohio Boxboard, American Boxboard and Central Fibre Products. Topics covered include the reasons the companies have merged, the explanation behind the poor earnings of the merged company Packaging Corp. according to Executive Vice President James Andrews and the plan of the company to launch its first research to be centered in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The article reports on the acquisition of Calpine Corrugated LLC by Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. (SSCC) in Fresno, California. It states that SSCC will acquire Calpine for $0.05 per share after the company experienced a decline in business operations. It states that the move will enable SSCC to own 90 percent of Calpine's operations stock and enhance its competitiveness in the manufacture of container paperboard products.

The article cites a report on the reduction in the number of employees at Blue Ridge Paper Products in North Carolina. It is inferred that the elimination of jobs will be done through attrition at the company's board mill and finishing plants. In addition, 28 nonunion salaried workers will also be terminated. Information about the acquisition of the company by New Zealand billionaire Graeme Hart is also presented.

The article reports on the plan of Abitibi-Consolidated Inc., a company based in Montreal, Quebec, and Bowater Inc. which is based in Greenville, South Carolina to merge their companies. Both companies have agreed to merge into one of the world's largest producer of paper and forest products. The new company will be called AbitibiBowater Inc. and will be listed in New York and Toronto. Moreover, the merger is expected to take effect in the third quarter of 2007.

The article reports that Sonderen Packaging company has installed a diecutter, gluer, printing press and sheeter in its facility. The company has acquired Stoneway Carton Co. in 2004 plans to expand the facility to be completed in one year. The company has experienced steady growth since its acquisition of Stoneway Carton Co., and will hire additional factory and middle-management employees.

Reports on the terms and conditions of the merger of Jefferson Smurfit Group PLC and Kappa Packaging BV Co. in Europe.

Reports on the merger between New York-based design and prepress marketing company Seven Worldwide and digital imaging graphics company, Schawk. Financial terms and agreements. Goal of the merger to broaden the combined companies' global coverage, market leadership in the creation and production of packaging, advertising, and in-store marketing and signage.

Features the Dallas, Texas-based paper products company Kimberly-Clark Corp. Problems with the company's acquisition of Scott Paper Co.; Includes difficulties in competing with Procter & Gamble Co.; Praise for Kimberly-Clark's ability to meet financial analysts' expectations; Restructuring implemented by chief executive officer Wayne Sanders. INSET: Upbeat again..

The article reports on the world coated paper markets focussing on over capacity and quality coated paper products being available at low prices. An upward blip in the market is expected during holiday buying, sports events and political elections. Consolidation in newsprint, super calendared and light weight coated paper industry happened to be into few hands of North America and Norway, which control over 60% of production, in less than a decade. During this period many mergers, name changes, and private equity placements took place. The big names like Sappi and Stora Enso are still running the global show on pricing and product mix. In an effort to stabilize the market and to realize profits Sappi announced a price increase for coated free sheet grade in Europe.

Focuses on the attempted business takeover of billionaire Graeme Hart on the Carter Holt Harvey Ltd. paper business in Australia. Thoughts on the attempts of Hart to buy the paper product manufacturer as a defiance to his fiercest critics; Assessment of the financial performance of the company; Views on the other consolidations of business initiated by Hart.

The article reports on the agreement signed by Neenah Paper Inc. to purchase Fox Valley Corp., which owns Fox River Paper Co. The paper product brands owned by Fox River are identified. An overview on the transaction is offered. The paper products of Neenah that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and Processed Chlorine Free are presented.

Focuses on Georgia-Pacific Corp. and its acquisition of Fort James Corp. Aim of maintaining market share while improving profits in the paper towels, bath tissue, and paper napkins categories; Outlook for advertising by the company, especially on the Brawny and Quilted Northern brands of Fort James.