Mohawk Purchases Smart Papers Brands

Mohawk Fine Papers Inc. purchased the premium uncoated writing, text, and cover brands from Smart Papers of Hamilton, Ohio.

The purchase includes the Carnival, Passport, Genesis, Synergy, Pegasus, Magna Carta, Solutions, Feltweave, Nekoosa, Proterra, Skytone, and Smart Brights brands, and will make Mohawk the largest supplier of premium papers in North America.

Mohawk will also become the exclusive marketer of Smart's Kromekote and Knightkote brands to traditional paper distribution companies and graphic designers worldwide.

The companies are working together to smoothly transition manufacturing and sales of all uncoated products within the next 30 days.

Smart Papers will continue to manufacture Kromekote and Knightkote brands in its Hamilton facility, and will also continue to sell to strategic accounts worldwide, including specialty converters, original equipment manufacturers, label manufacturers, laminators, gift and box wrap printers, and greeting card companies.

According to Thomas D. O'Connor, Jr., Mohawk's chairman and CEO, "Mohawk's acquisition of the Smart Papers franchise is a strategic opportunity for Mohawk and its merchant customers. We are committed to developing the writing, text and cover franchise and expanding on Smart's strong commitment to the digital market. These opportunities, coupled with such brands as Kromekote, Carnival, and Nekoosa will allow us to offer the strongest premium paper franchise in the world. In addition, because of efficiencies gained over the past decade, we will quickly incorporate these tons into our system and continue to provide world-class quality and customer service."

"I agree that today's news positively changes the business model and the marketplace for premium printing papers in North America," said Tim Needham, chairman of Smart Papers. "Mohawk is well respected as a world-class sales and marketing organization to the global paper merchant community for premium papers. They can now bring an unmatched offering of premium coated and uncoated papers to their strong and loyal customer base."