Paper & Paper Products Manufacturing Industry Profile

The US paper products manufacturing industry includes about 3,500 companies with combined annual revenue of about $170 billion. Major companies include Georgia-Pacific, International Paper, Kimberly-Clark, MeadWestvaco, and Neenah Paper. The industry is concentrated within specific product segments: the top 50 makers of corrugated boxes account for 75 percent of segment revenue; the top 50 paperboard mills account for almost all segment revenue.

Globally, the paper products industry produces more than 370 million metric tons per year. China surpassed the US as the world's top paper producer in 2008. Other key paper producing countries include Austria, Canada, Finland, Germany, Russia, and Sweden. Top international paper companies include Domtar (Canada), Oji Paper (Japan), and Stora Enso Oyj (Finland).

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by general commercial activity and population growth. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficient operations, as products are sold mainly based on price. Big companies have advantages in distribution and can supply large customers. There are few economies of scale in manufacturing; large and small producers operate the same kinds of plants -- large producers just have more of them. Small companies can compete successfully by making specialty products or serving a small geographical market. The industry is capital-intensive: average annual revenue per worker is about $400,000, although the figure varies by product segment.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major product categories are paperboard, paperboard and corrugated containers, coated papers, tissue products, stationery, and paper bags. Paperboard ...