Major Products: Flexographic and specialty inks and graphic arts coatings.

Number of Employees: More than 52,000 worldwide.

Comments: A worldwide leader in industrial and consumer packaging and uncoated papers and pulp, International Paper had a fairly stable year in 2019, with net sales of $22.376 billion, down nearly 4% from $23.3 billion in 2018. Operating profits were down more than 15% to $2.599 billion from $3.08 billion in 2018, although free cash flow rose dramatically, from $1.654 billion in 2018 to $2.334 billion in 2019, an increase of 41%.

Industrial Packaging remains the largest slice of the company’s portfolio, accounting for 69% of its sales.

Optihue Graphics, Plates and Inks is a subsidiary of International Paper. With headquarters in Kenton, OH, Optihue produces flexo and specialty inks and graphic arts coatings for International Paper’s packaging operations.

“International Paper delivered solid earnings and outstanding cash generation in the fourth quarter and full-year 2019,” said Mark Sutton, chairman and CEO. “We again demonstrated our flexibility to navigate through challenging market conditions by optimizing our full value chain. In 2019, we returned $1.3 billion to shareholders and reduced debt by $1.0 billion, while continuing to strengthen our packaging business through targeted investments.”

Major Products: Flexographic and specialty inks and graphic arts coatings.

Number of Employees: 55,000 overall in more than 24 countries.

Comments: International Paper is a global leader in industrial and consumer packaging and uncoated papers and pulp. The company had an excellent year in 2018, with net sales of $23.3 billion in 2018, up from $21.7 billion in 2017. Nearly two-thirds of its revenue is in Industrial Packaging, with approximately 10% in Consumer Packaging and the rest in Cellulose Fibers and Printing Papers.

The company’s full-year business segment operating profits were $2.9 billion in 2018 compared with $2.1 billion in 2017, a strong growth. Free cash flow (non-GAAP) was $1.7 billion for the full-year 2018 and $2.0 billion in 2017.

“International Paper delivered very strong earnings and returns in the fourth quarter and full year 2018, driven by solid commercial and operational performance across our three businesses,” said Mark Sutton, chairman and CEO.

Optihue Graphics, Plates and Inks, a subsidiary of International Paper headquartered in Kenton, OH, manufactures the flexo and specialty inks and graphic arts coatings that International Paper uses for its packaging.

Major Products: Flexographic and specialty inks and graphic arts coatings.

Number of Employees: 55,000 overall in more than 24 countries.

Comments: With sales of $21.7 billion in 2017, International Paper is a global leader in industrial and consumer packaging and uncoated papers and pulp. In 2016, 67% of its revenue was in Industrial Packaging, with 9% in Consumer Packaging and the rest in Cellulose Fibers and Printing Papers.

International Paper’s annual net sales increased over its 2016 sales, which came in at $19.5 billion. The company attributed the year-over-year revenue increase to the pulp business that was acquired from Weyerhaeuser for $2.2 billion in late 2016. The company reported adjusted operating earnings of $1.5 billion, with free cash flow of $2.0 billion in 2017.

“In 2017, we delivered on our commitment of strong cash generation and value creation, enabling us to strengthen our balance sheet and increase our dividend,” said Mark Sutton, chairman and CEO. “We made outstanding progress integrating the Global Cellulose Fibers business and delivering synergies, while also making an important strategic move in consumer packaging that further enables us to focus on growing meaningful value in our core businesses. Looking at the fourth quarter, the company delivered its best results in a decade, driven by healthy demand and excellent commercial performance in Industrial Packaging and Global Cellulose Fibers.”

Optihue Graphics, Plates and Inks, a subsidiary of International Paper located in Kenton, OH, produces the flexo and specialty inks and graphic arts coatings that International Paper uses for its packaging operations.

In a major move, Graphic Packaging Holding Company acquired International Paper’s North America Consumer Packaging business. Graphic Packaging owns 79.5% of the combined company and will be the sole manager. International Paper will own 20.5% of the combined company, valued at $1.14 billion. Graphic Packaging also assumed $660 million of International Paper debt.

“Investing in Graphic Packaging gives IP the opportunity to benefit from a much stronger value-creation consumer packaging platform, while allowing us to remain focused on growing value in our core businesses,” Sutton said.

Number of Employees: 55,000 overall in more than 24 countries.

Major Products: Flexographic and specialty inks and graphic arts coatings.

Comments: International Paper is a global leader in the areas of industrial and consumer packaging and uncoated papers and pulp. With sales of $21.1 billion in 2015, International Paper is a major force in packaging, with 65% of its 2015 sales in the industrial packaging market, including containerboard and corrugated packaging. An additional 13% of its 2015 revenue came in consumer packaging, including pharmaceuticals and foodservice products.

International Paper had a solid year in 2016, although net sales declined 4% from $22 billion in 2015, primarily due to sales of three businesses. International Paper reported adjusted operating earnings of $1.4 billion, while its full-year 2015 net earnings was $904 million ($2.18 per share), pretty much on par with 2015’s results.

International Paper reported that cash provided by operations was $2.5 billion for the full-year 2016 and $912 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. Free cash flow (non-GAAP) was $1.9 billion for the full-year 2016 and $467 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, according to the company.

“I’m pleased with another year of strong cash generation and returns solidly above the cost of capital,” said Mark Sutton, chairman and CEO. “While we experienced margin pressure in 2016, we enter the new year with an improving economic climate and several catalysts which we expect to improve profitability across International Paper.”

Optihue Graphics, Plates and Inks, a subsidiary of International Paper located in Kenton, OH, produces the flexo and specialty inks and graphic arts coatings that International Paper uses for its packaging operations.

In a major purchase, International Paper entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Weyerhaeuser’s pulp business for $2.2 billion on May 2, 2016. The acquisition was completed on Dec. 1. Weyerhaeuser’s pulp business has approximately 1,900 employees in the US.

“This transaction will position us as the premier global supplier of fluff pulp and will enhance our ability to generate additional free cash flow,” Sutton noted.

Number of Employees: 55,000 overall in more than 24 countries.

Major Products: Flexographic and specialty inks and graphic arts coatings.

Comments: Headquartered in Memphis, TN, International Paper is an international leader in industrial and consumer packaging and uncoated papers and pulp. Its Optihue Graphics, Plates and Inks subsidiary, which is headquartered in Kenton, OH, manufactures flexographic and specialty inks and graphic arts coatings International Paper uses for its packaging operations.

With sales of $22.4 billion in 2015, International Paper is a packaging powerhouse, with 62% of its sales (2014 figures) in the industrial packaging market, which includes containerboard and corrugated packaging.

Consumer packaging, ranging from paperboard for food and beverage, milk and juice and cartons through cups, made up 14% of the company’s sales in 2014, with its Printing Papers and Pulp division accounting for the remaining 24%. The company has manufacturing facilities throughout the world.

International Paper had a strong year in 2014, with net sales of $22.4 billion, down from $23.6 billion in 2014, primarily due to foreign exchange rates. International Paper reported operating earnings of $1.5 billion, while its full-year 2015 net earnings was $938 million ($2.23 per share), up from $555 million, or $1.29 per share, in 2014. Free cash flow was $1.8 billion for 2015.

Major Products: Flexographic and specialty inks and graphic arts coatings.

Comments: With sales of $23.6 billion in 2014, International Paper is an international leader in industrial and consumer packaging and uncoated papers and pulp. Through its Optihue Graphics, Plates and Inks subsidiary, headquartered in Kenton, OH, International Paper manufactures the flexographic and specialty inks and graphic arts coatings it uses for its packaging operations.

International Paper’s packaging products run the gamut from food service, food containers, retail display and packaging, corrugated packaging and kraft paper bags, among others. The company has manufacturing facilities around the globe, including North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia and North Africa.

Over the years, International Paper has made a series of major acquisitions. In 2008, International Paper acquired Weyerhaeuser Company’s Containerboard Packaging and Recycling business for $6 billion in cash.

In 2012, International Paper acquired Temple Inland, a corrugated packaging and building products company, for approximately $4.5 billion.