{{short description|American pulp and paper company}} {{about|the paper company|ISO paper sizes|ISO 216}} {{use mdy dates|date=July 2013}} {{Infobox company | name = International Paper Company | logo = InternationalPaper logo 2023.svg | image = International Paper Co., Cullen, LA IMG 5138.JPG | type = Public | traded_as = {{ubl|{{NYSE|IP}}|S&P 500 component}} DJIA component (until 2004) | industry = Pulp and paper | foundation = {{start date and age|1898}} in Corinth, New York, United States | founders = {{Plainlist| *Hugh J. Chisholm *William A. Russell }} | location = Memphis, Tennessee, United States | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = Andrew Silvernail (CEO) | revenue = {{decrease}} {{US$|18.6 billion|link=yes}} (2024)<ref name=AR24 /> | operating_income = {{decrease}} {{US$|255 million}} (2024)<ref name=AR24 /> | net_income = {{increase}} {{US$|557 million}} (2024)<ref name=AR24 /> | assets = {{decrease}} {{US$|22.8 billion}} (2024)<ref name=AR24 /> | equity = {{decrease}} {{US$|8.17 billion}} (2024)<ref name=AR24 /> | num_employees = 37,000 (2024)<ref name=AR24>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000051434/000005143425000013/ip-20241231.htm |title=2024 Annual Report (Form 10-K) |date=February 21, 2025 |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission}}</ref> | homepage = {{URL|internationalpaper.com}} | subsid = Temple-Inland, CMCP, Cartón y Papel Reciclado S.A., Cartonajes Union S.L., ZAO, Weldwood of Canada, Castell, L.P., Sustainable Forests, Bolsaflex }}
The '''International Paper Company''' is an American pulp and paper company, the largest such company in the world.<ref>Kaskey, Jack (August 28, 2009) [https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aEHNB_XJRWGU "International Paper Treads Monsanto's Path to 'Frankenforests'"]. Bloomberg News. Retrieved July 18, 2013.</ref> It has approximately 39,000 employees,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/fortune500/international-paper/|title=International Paper|website=Fortune|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-15|archive-date=February 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211120030/https://fortune.com/fortune500/international-paper/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.<ref name=10K>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/51434/000005143414000003/ip10-k123113.htm|title=2013 Form 10-K, International Paper Company|publisher=United States Securities and Exchange Commission}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| author = Database | date = n.d. | url=http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/international_paper_company/index.html | title = International Paper Company | work=The New York Times | access-date = July 18, 2013}}</ref>
==History== [[Image:View of Paper Mills, Chisholm, ME.jpg|thumb|right|One of the 17 original founding mills of International Paper {{Circa|1908}}, built in 1888 as the Otis Falls Pulp & Paper Company in Chisholm, Maine]] The company was incorporated January 31, 1898, upon the merger of 17 pulp and paper mills in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. Its founders and first two presidents were William Augustus Russell, who died suddenly in January 1899, and Hugh J. Chisholm.<ref>[http://www.foresthistory.org/Publications/FHT/FHT1998/IP.pdf "A Short History of International Paper: Generations of Pride"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326112052/http://www.foresthistory.org/Publications/FHT/FHT1998/IP.pdf |date=March 26, 2009 }} (PDF). ''Forest History Today''. 1998.</ref> Philip Tell Dodge, president of the Mergenthaler Linotype Company, served as its chairman for 11 years.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Philip T Dodge Estate Placed at 3 millions |journal=Chicago Tribune |date=June 1, 1933 |page=18 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24484258/philip_t_dodge_estate/}}</ref> The invention of the Linotype dramatically increased the size of newspapers and the need for newsprint. The newly formed company supplied 60 percent of all newsprint in the country.{{citation needed|date=April 2013}}
===Hudson River Mill=== {{See also|History of papermaking in New York}} The Hudson River Mill in Corinth, New York, where the Sacandaga River joins the Hudson River, was a pioneer in the development of the modern paper industry in the late 19th century.<ref>[http://www.hudsonrivermillproject.org/pages/theme04.htm The Hudson River Mill Project] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925154713/http://hudsonrivermillproject.org/pages/theme04.htm |date=September 25, 2013 }}.</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.adirondackbranch.net/sIP.html | title=Adirondackbranch.net | access-date=November 10, 2011 | archive-date=September 14, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914212529/http://www.adirondackbranch.net/sIP.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> The first wood-based newsprint paper mill in New York, it was built by Albrecht Pagenstecher in 1869.<ref>[http://cornwall-on-hudson.com/article.cfm?page=712 "History: The Pagenstecher Family: From Rags to Riches"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005013409/http://cornwall-on-hudson.com/article.cfm?page=712 |date=October 5, 2011 }}.</ref>
In the early 20th century, the Hudson River Mill was one of the company's largest plants and served both as its principal office, and a place where paper workers helped shape the direction of the industry's early labor movement.
After World War II, Hudson River Mill workers developed the production of coated paper for the company. Shifting economic forces resulted in the mill's closure in November 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=73062&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=307127&highlight= |title=International Paper | News Release |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130718215631/http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=73062&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=307127&highlight= |archive-date=18 July 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://www.hudsonrivermillproject.org/pages/about.htm About: The Hudson River Mill Project].</ref> The historic mill was slated for partial demolition during 2011. The work including asbestos removal was completed by Northstar Group Services.<ref>[http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/12/former_paper_mill_site_in_adir.html "Former Paper Mill Site in Adirondacks to Be Demolished"]. Associated Press Staff (via ''The Post-Standard''), December 14, 2010, Retrieved July 18, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://blog.timesunion.com/saratogaseen/corinth-paper-mill-to-be-demolished/7363/ Mill to be Demolished]''Albany Times Union'' blog, December 15, 2010, Retrieved April 21, 2018</ref><ref>[http://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-business/article/Breakthrough-at-International-Paper-site-6049669.php#photo-7456262 Demolition was completed] and the site was for sale as of January 29, 2015. ''Albany Times Union'' Retrieved April 21, 2018</ref><ref>[https://www.northstar.com/portfolio/hudson-river-mill/ Demolition was accomplished by Northstar Group Services] Retrieved April 21, 2018</ref>
Given the nature of their products, paper plants are highly flammable. Therefore, International Paper Company frequently used asbestos insulation in its walls, floors, and roofs as a protective measure. Asbestos insulation was also used on pipes and boilers throughout International Paper plants. This material, intended to protect people, instead turned out to severely damage their health.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.mesothelioma.com/asbestos-exposure/companies/international-paper-company.htm | title=International Paper Company}}</ref> The producers did not reveal that their asbestos products were dangerous, even though asbestos was known to cause illnesses as far back as the 1920s. Consequently, many former employees of International Paper have been diagnosed with mesothelioma following decades of service.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.belluckfox.com/mesothelioma/asbestos/exposure-new-york/jobsites/international-paper-corinth-mill/ | title=Asbestos Exposure in International Paper Mill}}</ref>
===Mill workers' strike=== {{excerpt|International Paper strike}} The book ''Betrayal of Local 14: Paperworkers, Politics, and Permanent Replacements'' was written about the strike at the Androscoggin Mill. The book was written by Julius Gerson Getman, who was an attorney representing the striking paperworkers.
===Acquisitions===
====1986–2000==== In 1980, the company sold its Canadian newsprint mills and associated land to Canadian Pacific. This company eventually became Avenor, and later was purchased by Bowater. Part of the sale included the Rocky Brook fishing lodge in New Brunswick, and IP retained limited access to the lodge. Eventually IP bought the lodge back from Bowater. {{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
In 1986, the company acquired the Hammermill Paper Company, founded in 1898, which managed eleven papermills nationwide, and had its corporate offices based in Erie, PA; in 1988, the Masonite Corporation; and in 1989, the German paper company Zanders Feinpapiere AG and the French paper manufacturer Aussedat Rey. In 1996, it purchased Federal Paper Board.<ref>Gilpin, Kenneth N. (November 7, 1995). [https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/07/business/international-paper-plans-to-buy-federal-paper-board.html "International Paper Plans to Buy Federal Paper Board"]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved July 18, 2013.</ref> In 1999, the company purchased Union Camp Corporation, and in June 2000 Champion International. Additionally, it owned shares in the Chilean company Copec.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1999 |title=International Paper 1999 Annual Report |url=https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/i/NYSE_IP_1999.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030052104/https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/i/NYSE_IP_1999.pdf |archive-date=2020-10-30 |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Annual Reports}}</ref>
====2012==== In 2012, International Paper acquired Temple-Inland in a deal valued at $4.5 billion. Temple-Inland then became a wholly owned subsidiary of International Paper. At the time of sale, Temple-Inland's corrugated packaging operation consisted of 7 mills and 59 converting facilities as well as the building products operation.<ref name="prn">[http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-paper-completes-acquisition-of-temple-inland-139211549.html International Paper Completes Acquisition of Temple-Inland]</ref>
====2020s==== International Paper completed the acquisition of British packaging company DS Smith for $7.2 billion in January 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pyzyk |first=Katie |date=January 31, 2025 |title=International Paper completes acquisition of DS Smith |url=https://www.packagingdive.com/news/international-paper-completes-acquisition-ds-smith/736227/ |publisher=Packaging Dive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Nimmo |first1=Jamie |last2=Peng |first2=Ilena |date=April 15, 2024 |title=International Paper Agrees to Buy DS Smith for $7.2 Billion |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-16/international-paper-prevails-with-7-2-billion-ds-smith-deal |publisher=Bloomberg News}}</ref>
In 2025, International Paper announced the sale of its global cellulose fibers business to private equity firm American Industrial Partners for $1.5 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 21, 2025 |title=International Paper to Sell Fibers Business for $1.5 Billion |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-21/international-paper-to-sell-fibers-business-for-1-5-billion?srnd=phx-deals}}</ref>
===Restructuring, 2005–2006=== In 2005 and 2006, the company undertook a significant restructuring, selling over {{convert|6000000|acre|km2}} of forestland in the U.S., along with its coated paper, kraft paper, wood products, and beverage packaging businesses, as well as subsidiaries Arizona Chemical and New Zealand-based Carter Holt Harvey. The coated paper business (four mills in Maine, Michigan and Minnesota) were sold to Apollo Management and now operate as Verso Paper. The kraft paper business (composed of a kraft paper mill in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina and a dunnage bag plant in Fordyce, Arkansas) was sold to Kapstone Paper and Packaging and operates as Kapstone Kraft Paper.<ref>[http://www.packaging-online.com/paperboardpackaging/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=395842 KapStone Ready to Roll]</ref>
The beverage packaging business, now called Evergreen Packaging, was purchased by Carter Holt Harvey, following the purchase of CHH by Graeme Hart. The company sold its wood products division to West Fraser Timber, based in Vancouver, British Columbia. This included 13 sawmills, making West Fraser the second-largest producer of lumber in North America, after Weyerhaeuser Company.
==Company logo== The company's former logo was designed by American graphic designers Lester Beall and Richard Rogers in 1960. The logo featured the letters "I" and "P" which formed a stylized arrow also resembling a tree surrounded by a circle. A primary constraint in the design process was the need for a logo simple enough that it could be stenciled onto trees and lumber intended for paper production.<ref>{{cite book |last=Meggs |first=Philip |date=2011-11-22 |title=Megg's History of Graphic Design |edition=5th |isbn=978-0470168738 |page=527 |publisher=Wiley }}</ref> On March 7, 2023, the company announced a rebrand to coincide with the company's 125th anniversary. The rebrand included a new logo which features a stylized monogram, composed of green elements forming the two letters. Each of the elements features a straight top line and a rounded bottom. The dark green emblem is placed on the left from the two-leveled title case inscription in a modern sans-serif typeface, in black.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9144551-international-paper-rebrand-125th-anniversary|title=International Paper Announces Rebrand on 125th Anniversary|last=|first=|date=|website=multivu.com|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>
==Headquarters== {{Infobox building | name = International Paper Headquarters | former_names = | alternate_names = | image = International Paper global headquarters.jpg | image_alt = | caption = International Paper's Headquarters in East Memphis | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_alt = | map_caption = | altitude = | building_type = Office complex (four buildings) | architectural_style = | structural_system = | cost = | ren_cost = | client = | owner = Highwood Properties Inc. | current_tenants = International Paper | landlord = | location = Memphis, Tennessee | address = | location_country = United States | coordinates = | construction_start_date = | completion_date = | inauguration_date = | renovation_date = | height = | diameter = | antenna_spire = | roof = | top_floor = | other_dimensions = | floor_count = 10 (for each tower) | floor_area = | seating_type = | seating_capacity = | elevator_count = | main_contractor = | architect = | architecture_firm = The Crump Firm | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | civil_engineer = | other_designers = | quantity_surveyor = | awards = | ren_architect = | ren_firm = | ren_str_engineer = | ren_serv_engineer = | ren_civ_engineer = | ren_oth_designers = | ren_qty_surveyor = | ren_awards = | website = | references = }}
International Paper owns Tower I (at 6400 Poplar) and occupies the entire property and leases 50,000 square feet in Tower II (at 6410 Poplar) and all of Tower III (at 6420 Poplar).<ref name="MBJ"/>
In 2000, International Place Tower III was designed and rests amid the two existing towers and courtyard. The Crump Firm designed the eleven-story, 234,000 square foot tower to include offices, conference rooms, training rooms and dining facilities. The exterior granite was bought and warehoused in the mid-1980s with the intent that its construction would mimic that of the earlier towers. However, inclusion of seismic criteria to the Memphis building code in 1994 made the initial design unable to move forward. Therefore, architects had to completely change the original structural design in order to adhere to the strict exterior dimensions needed to utilize the existing granite and to match the existing towers.<ref name="Crump">{{cite web|title=International Paper - International Place Tower III|url=http://crumpfirm.com/ip3.html|website=crumpfirm.com|publisher=The Crump Firm|access-date=19 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215062827/http://crumpfirm.com/ip3.html|archive-date=February 15, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2012, it was announced that International Paper was building a $90.2 million, 235,000-square-foot tower at 6430 Poplar Ave. in East Memphis.<ref name="MBJ">{{cite news|last1=Sheffield|first1=Michael|title=International Paper to build $90 million office tower, bring 101 new jobs to Memphis|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/12/14/international-paper-to-build-90.html|access-date=19 February 2016|publisher=Memphis Business Journal|date=December 14, 2012}}</ref>
In addition to the four office towers at International Place, the company operates an airport hangar facility (at 2522 Winchester Road) and a Southwind data center at (3232 Players Club Parkway). Other company related facilities include a recycling center on South Third and two warehouse operations across Memphis.<ref name="MBJ"/>
==Products and corporate structure== [[Image:International Paper Co. Mill, Berlin, NH.jpg|left|thumb|One of the old mills in the former "mill town" of Berlin, New Hampshire, owned by the International Paper, {{Circa|1912}}]] [[Image:InternationalPaper6413.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Pulp and converting paper mill, located in Georgetown, South Carolina]] [[Image:Remnants of the Gardiner Mill.JPG|right|thumb|220px|Outside the remnants of the International Paper mill in Gardiner, Oregon]] [[Image:Kwidzyn by night.jpg|thumb|Factory in Kwidzyn, Poland, at night]] The company used to be the largest producer of plastic lids and paper cups, manufacturing for the fast-food giants McDonald's, Wendy's, Subway, but its consumer packaging division was sold to Graphic Packaging on January 2, 2018. Its wood products division was sold in 2007 to West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd., a company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. The company produces printer and copier paper, envelopes, corrugated packaging and pulp.
The company is a former Dow Jones Industrial Average component, included in the index from July 3, 1956, to April 7, 2004. It was one of three components to be dropped in the 2004 change, together with AT&T Corporation and Eastman Kodak.
Beginning February 1, 2007, the sale of the beverage-packaging division was completed as New Zealand billionaire Graeme Hart won the bid with purchase price of nearly $800 million. The division now operates under the Evergreen label.
On March 17, 2008, the company announced it was buying the containerboard unit of Weyerhaeuser for $6 billion in cash.
In October of 2007, it formed a joint venture with Ilim Holding, Ilim Group, the alliance in the Russian forest sector.
On July 1, 2014, the company announced the completion of the xpedx spinoff which merged with Unisource, creating an independent company, Veritiv Corporation.
On May 2, 2016, it announced the acquisition of Weyerhaeuser's cellulose fiber division. The acquisition was completed on December 1, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Weyerhaeuser completes sale of Cellulose Fibers pulp mills to International Paper - Dec 1, 2016 |url=https://investor.weyerhaeuser.com/2016-12-01-Weyerhaeuser-completes-sale-of-Cellulose-Fibers-pulp-mills-to-International-Paper |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=Weyerhaeuser Investor Relations |language=en}}</ref>
On October 1, 2021, a spin-off was completed creating a stand alone company by the name of Sylvamo. Sylvamo's headquarters are also located in Memphis TN. Divested were the Printing & Communications (White Uncoated Freesheet) mills in Ticonderoga NY, Eastover SC, Mogi Guacu Brazil, Luiz Antonio Brazil, Tres Lagoas Brazil, Saillat France, and Svetogorsk Russia.
== See also == {{Portal|Company|Trees|New York (state)|Technology|United States}} * Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange (I) * Historical components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average * List of New York companies <!--* List of Tennessee companies - added at july 2013, but hidden because list not yet created--> {{clear}}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{Official website|http://internationalpaper.com}}{{Finance links | name = International Paper | symbol = IP | sec_cik = IP | yahoo = IP | google = IP:NYSE }} * [http://foresthistory.org/ead/Champion_International_Corporation.html Inventory of the Champion International Corporation Image Collection, 1950–1979] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091210124056/http://foresthistory.org/ead/Champion_International_Corporation.html |date=December 10, 2009 }} in the Forest History Society Library and Archives, Durham, North Carolina * [http://biz.yahoo.com/p/i/ip.html Yahoo profile]
{{S&P 500 companies}} {{Authority control}}
Category:International Paper Category:1898 establishments in New York (state) Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1898 Category:Companies based in Saratoga County, New York Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange Category:Former components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average Category:Manufacturing companies based in New York (state) Category:Multinational companies headquartered in the United States Category:Pulp and paper companies of the United States Category:Packaging companies of the United States Category:Manufacturing companies based in Memphis, Tennessee