In general, Specialties paper producers are small - often smaller than their suppliers or even their customers. Most Specialties paper products are made with small and old machines. Average deliveries are small and some grades can be vulnerable to competition from larger machines that have been converted from other grades, such as Newsprint and Printing & Writing. Product knowledge, customer service, good logistics, and business acumen can protect small Specialties paper producers. Nevertheless, some Specialties products are already being made with bigger machines, begging the question: Will there be further shifts toward bigger machines in the future?
