Fedrigoni and Mohawk Forge a Manufacturing Partnership to Expand Reach of Specialty Papers Globally

The strategic agreement will enable Fedrigoni to expand its presence in the US market and consolidate its position as a world leader in specialty papers for luxury packaging, and Mohawk to accelerate its commitment and focus on developing increasingly high-performance, innovative and sustainable solutions. 

[Milan (Italy), Cohoes (NY-United States), 22 September 2022] - The Fedrigoni Group and Mohawk Fine Papers, Inc. have entered into a manufacturing agreement to expand the reach of their specialty papers globally. Shared core values of craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability make this a natural and valuable opportunity for both organizations. The Fedrigoni Group is the first global player in the manufacture of high added value specialty papers for luxury packaging and other creative applications and world leader in premium labels and self-adhesive materials. Mohawk, founded in 1931, is family owned and operated, manufacturing some of the world's most recognized specialty papers for designers, consumer brands, and printers. Mohawk's early innovation in digital printing and sustainability secured its leadership position in these two significant growth sectors.

“The agreement with Mohawk is a further element in our growth strategy in a market with excellent prospects such as specialty papers, especially for luxury packaging, where we intend to consolidate our global primacy. Many synergistic opportunities are also present for our self-adhesive materials division, which will expand its leading position in premium labels for the wine market in the US", comments Marco Nespolo, CEO of Fedrigoni Group. "This is an important step forward to reinforce our geographical penetration in the United States, where we will directly produce and distribute high-value-added papers, leveraging all possible industrial and commercial synergies with our Group. We will also better support the ESG strategies of our clients, especially those in the luxury sector by giving them the option of moving to nearshoring rather than global purchasing."

“We are pleased to build upon our family's legacy of manufacturing and distributing paper recognized and trusted around the world for the many uses of our customers”, states Thomas O'Connor, Jr. CEO of Mohawk. "Like Mohawk, the Fedrigoni Group is focused on expanding the specialty papers market. Our partnership will allow us to continue our commitment and focus on the development of increasingly high-performing, innovative, and sustainable solutions."

Further strategic alignment comes from the Crane and Fabriano brands, which produce stationery products that inspire consumers to write, sketch, and paint on some of the most beautiful papers in the world. The two brands will actively participate in this new collaboration and will mutually explore opportunities to grow market share.

Mohawk also recently closed a new financing agreement with CIT Northbridge Credit, which supports and strengthens Mohawk’s plans for continued growth. Within the frame of their manufacturing partnership, Fedrigoni participated in the new financing through a convertible instrument. The alignment between Mohawk and Fedrigoni carries the potential to formalize a strategic transaction over the next several years.

FEDRIGONI 
Established in 1888, today Fedrigoni means excellence in the world of labels and self-adhesive materials, and high-added value papers for luxury packaging and other creative solutions. With over 4500 employees in 27 countries and 25000 products, the Group sells and distributes in 132 countries and, thanks to the recent acquisitions, has become the first player at the global level in specialty papers for luxury packaging and the third player in premium self-adhesive materials. The Paper business unit includes the Cordenons Group and the historic brand Fabriano, and the Self-Adhesives business unit includes Arconvert, Manter, Ritrama (since February 2020), IP Venus (since December 2020), Acucote, and Rimark (since June 2021), Divipa (February 2022), Tageos (April 2022) and Unifol (July 2022). Furthermore, the American distributor GPA is also part of the Group. More information: www.fedrigoni.com

MOHAWK 
Mohawk is North America’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of fine papers and envelopes which are preferred for commercial and digital printing, photo specialties, and high-end direct mail.  Mohawk fine papers and envelopes include the signature brands Mohawk Superfine®, Crane Lettra® Strathmore®, and Renewal®, as well as proprietary treatments Inxwell® and i-Tone®. With a culture of innovation reaching back to its beginning in 1931, Mohawk is committed to providing materials that help make every printed project more beautiful, effective, and memorable. Crane Stationery is also a business unit of Mohawk, producing some of the finest social stationery products. As a leader in environmentally and socially responsible business practices, Mohawk was the first U.S. manufacturer of commercial printing papers to match 100% of its electricity with wind power renewable energy credits and the first U.S. premium paper mill to shift toward carbon-neutral production. Mohawk’s portfolio of recycled papers is certified by Green Seal and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Mohawk is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated business based in Cohoes, New York, with global sales and operations located throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information, please visit www.mohawkconnects.com.


For media information: 
FEDRIGONI | Stefania Vicentini, +39 335 5613180, sv@dicomunicazione.it 
MOHAWK | Melissa Stevens, melissa.stevens@mohawkpaper.com