papiNet Expands with New Members and Management

Brown Printing Company, QuadGraphics, R.R. Donnelley & Tembec Join; New Project Leader and Technical Director Appointed

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA (January 8, 2002) -- The members and sponsoring organizations of the papiNet initiative -- a worldwide electronic commerce project for the paper industries -- have appointed two individuals to serve key positions within the organization. Kenneth Bolinder will assume the duties of Project Leader, while Art Colman will serve as Technical Director for papiNet. The papiNet initiative is an international effort guided by paper customers and producers from Europe and North America.

The two North American sponsoring organizations -- the American Forest and Paper Association and IDEAlliance (formerly the Graphic Communications Association) -- announced that four new companies have joined papiNet North America: Brown Printing Company, Quad/Graphics, R.R. Donnelley and Tembec. In all, 44 companies in Europe and North America are now involved. "The papiNet standard is gaining acceptance on both sides of the Atlantic with support and implementation," said David Steinhardt, President & CEO of IDEAlliance.

The new papiNet Project Leader, Kenneth Bolinder, has extensive experience in information technology, which he brought to the forestry, pulp, and paper industries in 1999 when he became Vice President and Chief Information Officer with AssiDoman AB in Stockholm, Sweden. As project manager for papiNet, he will serve as the key manager for standards development and implementation in Europe and North America.

Art Colman offers a unique combination of technical and business process expertise as Technical Director. He has worked with the papiNet initiative from its founding in 2000 with an international group of customers and paper producers developing the transaction sets. He will support implementation efforts in North America. Most recently, he started his own consulting firm, Drybridge Consulting, in Medway, Massachusetts.

"In its short history, papiNet has gained wide acceptance and support. We are pleased that these major print leaders in North America are joining the effort. The support of the industry, in combination with new leadership, will enhance development and implementation," explained Dan O'Brien, chairman of papiNet and Senior Vice President of Quebecor World. "Art Colman's knowledge of the paper industry and supply chain solutions will complement Kenneth Bolinder's vast IT and business experience."

About papiNet

papiNet is a global initiative to develop, maintain and promote the implementation of standard electronic transaction standards to facilitate the flow of information and facilitate computer to computer communications among all parties engaged in the buying, selling, and distribution of forest, paper and wood products. The set of standards is referred to as the papiNet standard. The standards include common terminology and standard business documents (e.g. purchase orders, shipping notices, and invoices).

The goals are to improve the reach and richness of communication throughout the supply chain, increase efficiencies in transactions and marketplace activities, and to support interoperability among trading partners. The papiNet standards are open and freely available. papiNet facilitates open communications and commerce within the forest and paper products industry and across industry boundaries. Critical mass is achieved by involving key players up and down the global supply chain.

For more information about papiNet go to www.papinet.org

Contacts

David Steinhardt
IDEAlliance
703-837-1066
dsteinhardt@idealliance.org

Sara Freund
AF&PA
202-463-2450
sara_freund@afandpa.org