Flint Group North America Announces Price Increases and Surcharges

The printing ink industry continues to experience unprecedented increases in all of our raw materials – pigments, chemicals, freight and packaging. These increases are directly and indirectly related to crude oil increases as well as large swings in the manufacturing capacity of some of the primary raw material manufacturers. As a result of the surcharges and price increases imposed on our business, Flint Group is forced to pass these increases on to their customers. Flint Group announced price increases and surcharges on all packaging and commercial inks sold in North America, effective on all products billed on or after July 21, 2008. “Although the price hikes are difficult for businesses to manage, the larger issue is to proactively ensure ongoing supply of the critical raw materials,” says Diane Parisi, vice president supply chain for North America. “Our supply chain organization works closely with our business management to ensure the best products and service remain the core of our offering.”

SURCHARGES

All solvent, energy curable and paste products (inks, coatings, extenders/blend vehicles): $0.10 per pound Water-based inks, coatings, extenders/blend vehicles and additives: $0.06 per pound

PRICE INCREASES

Solvent liquid ink colors, extenders/blend vehicles and additives: 5 percent Solvent liquid blacks and all solvent and water whites: 7 percent Water-based ink colors and blacks: 4 percent Conventional sheetfed paste inks: 6 percent All energy curable products: 6 percent