Forestweb Acquires Reel Time

Posted on November 21, 2003

Forestweb Inc. has acquired The Reel Time Report, a monthly analytical service providing accurate, independent analysis of publication-grade paper markets. Under the terms of the agreement, Ross Hay-Roe, editor, and Verle Sutton, publisher, will continue writing the 7- to 10-page monthly report, contributing their editorial expertise and market analysis.

The Reel Time Report is a monthly newsletter offering analysis and forecasts for printing paper markets. Reel Time publisher and editor, Verle Sutton, launched Reel Time in 1999. He has 25 years experience leading mill and paper broker sales organizations, including holding the position of vice-president sales and marketing at both Lake Superior Paper and Niagara of Wisconsin. Ross Hay-Roe, editor, is a Chartered Financial Analyst who spent 15 years in the stock-brokerage community before leaving in 1981 to focus on independent pulp and paper research.

"This strategic acquisition confirms Forestweb's commitment to provide the best possible coverage for every sector of the industry," said Rami Ghandour, CEO Forestweb. "Reel Time subscribers will benefit from Forestweb's innovative technology and will have the option to access critical Reel Time prices and analysis through the iiHub."

The acquisition of Reel Time, the second for Forestweb, is the most recent in a series of expansion steps initiated by president and COO, T.J. Coombs. Forestweb has also expanded its sales and operation staff in its Atlanta and Los Angeles offices and added dedicated coverage for both solid wood and recovered paper markets through its San Francisco-based editorial office.

Ola Jane Gow, publisher, Forestweb, said, "With this acquisition, Forestweb is well-positioned to expand its presence as an information provider to the publishing, printing, and catalog end-use markets. The Reel Time Report's consistently accurate paper prices, forecasts and analysis, coupled with Forestweb's industry intelligence hub provide publishing executives, production managers, and purchasing departments the comprehensive intelligence needed to make well-informed business decisions about their paper purchases."

Forestweb, which was founded in 1999, provides business coverage of the forest products industry -- pulp, paper, packaging, recycling, forestry, logs, chips, timber, lumber and panels. Forestweb is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Atlanta, Toronto, and San Francisco.