WHAT WILL YOU
MAKE TODAY?
Designers and printers have always turned to Mohawk
when they wanted to make beautiful Print. From deep,
rich, detailed tritone images on Superfine to brilliant,
saturated color on Options. Or deeply etched engraved
type on Strathmore. And Mohawk has always celebrated
the passionate people across the industry who use print
to make a difference. To market a business. For a cause.
Or simply for the joy of making something beautiful.
Today designers are challenged by technology that
promises new ways of communicating while threatening
to turn products and experiences into commodities.
And while people still treasure beautifully designed
artifacts and choose print to humanize their stories,
they are working with compressed timelines and tight
budgets. Mohawk is working to make it easier to
choose print. By creating new digital pathways and by
transforming our product line, we’re working to make it
easier for the makers of print to access beautiful papers
and advanced substrates.
ABOUT
MOHAWK
Mohawk is a fourth-generation, family-owned company
which recognizes the importance of listening to its
customers. We have built a culture of innovation that is
leading us into businesses and markets beyond paper
manufacturing and creating new opportunities to grow,
evolve, and lead.
Taking a bold stance on the environment,
Mohawk became the first U.S. paper mill
to match 100% of its electricity with
renewable wind power and the first U.S.
premium paper mill to shift toward carbon
neutral production.
From our work with Yale University in
the 1940s to perfect archival paper, to
collaborating with leading digital players
such as HP, Xerox, and Canon to forge
new techniques in digital printing,
Mohawk is always pushing the boundaries.
Today we’re expanding into new
areas such as online publishing, an online
artists’ marketplace for photographers
and designers, and an online community
for people in the design, paper, and printing
business. We see that in the future the
demand for paper will become more tightly
integrated with information technology
and digital print.
We’re using information technology
to pursue operational excellence
throughout the company. Significant
investment in process analysis, ordering,
and warehousing makes it easier for
our customers to do business with us
and ensures they get the best products
in the shortest time.
These are just some of the ways
that Mohawk is building a sustainable
business that serves the needs of all our
constituents – employees, business
partners, and customers. We know that
people choose our products because
of their quality, but they choose our
company because we anticipate their
needs and have answers to questions
they may not have asked yet.
HISTORY
Mohawk was founded in 1931 in upstate New York,
where the Hudson and Mohawk rivers come together.
Over the past 80 years, the company has become known
as a leader in the fine paper industry. Innovations
include Mohawk Superfine, the benchmark archival
paper, Inxwell for high-fidelity print on uncoated paper,
Mohawk Options and Loop, benchmark papers
for sustainable print, and i-Tone, the benchmark for
digital print.
In 2005, Mohawk expanded its premium
paper operations with the acquisition
of the Strathmore and Beckett brands
from International Paper Company.
This move was complemented by the
subsequent acquisition of the SMART
Papers brands in 2009 and the
company’s decision to begin converting
and distributing its own envelopes.
In 2010 we acquired LabPrints, which
opened up the digital photo business,
followed in 2011 with the acquisition of
Bravo Solutions, a leading supplier of
specialty synthetic and paper substrates
for digital printing. After a process of
consolidation and redesign, Mohawk
now offers a diverse palette of highly
regarded paper brands and specialty
substrates that are perfectly adapted
for today’s printing applications.
In 2009, Mohawk opened a warehouse
in Amsterdam, reflecting the company’s
growing international commitment,
which includes sales offices in Asia,
Europe, and Latin America. At the same
time, Mohawk increased its presence
in the online world with the launch of
mohawkpaperstore.com, feltandwire.com,
and feltandwireshop.com. This effort
continued with the creation of
pinholepress.com and pinholepro.com
in 2010 and now our all-new
mohawkconnects.com flagship site.
In Germany during 2012, Mohawk made
a 45% equity investment in a web-based
start-up enterprise, MetaPaper, which
offers the first online solution-oriented
sales channel in the industry.
Today, the fourth generation of the
O’Connor family is guiding Mohawk,
honoring its rich history while looking
ahead to the future. With CEO Tom
O’Connor, Jr. at the helm, the company
has embraced the process of reinvention
as it faces a radically changing market.
While the company still manufactures
premium papers on three paper
machines in upstate New York, Mohawk
is driving to be an essential supplier
of non-paper substrates, software, and
services for today’s digital printer, and to
create new platforms that demonstrate
the power of print and connect designers
and printers to new markets.
SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY
In everything we do at Mohawk, we’re committed to
being part of the solution. Social responsibility and
corporate stewardship are woven into the fabric of our
culture and business practices. From ensuring the future
of the resources we depend on to streamlining the way
we work, from investing in employees and communities
to creating value for our customers, we’re committed to
making a positive impact wherever and whenever we can.
MOHAWK AND
THE ENVIRONMENT
BEST PRACTICES
Being part of an industry that depends heavily on energy, water, and other natural
resources, Mohawk has embraced the concept of extended stewardship. We continually
examine every aspect of our business with the objective of making our environmental
footprint as small as possible. This means doing more with less and taking decisive
actions to minimize or eliminate negative impacts. From simple activities like
desk-side recycling to complex decisions about manufacturing techniques, energy
choices and vendor selection, nothing is left unexamined. In short, we accept our
responsibility to protect the natural resources and processes that sustain our business
and our lives, and convey that commitment to all of our stakeholders.
We believe that business and industry have the creative
capital and financial incentive to find innovative
solutions to the most pressing environmental issues
of our day: climate change, depletion of natural
resources, and dependence on fossil fuels. We accept
our responsibility to create a sustainable business,
and commit ourselves to a leadership role in reducing
the environmental impact of our business practices.
Mohawk does not own forest lands. Instead, we purchase a variety of postconsumer
and virgin hardwood and softwood fiber pulps. As one of the largest consumers
of market pulp in the U.S., Mohawk can drive compliance through its supply chain.
We source FSC-certified fiber where possible and have notified our fiber suppliers
that we will not accept fiber harvested from high conservation-value old growth
forests. We require documentation demonstrating sound environmental practices
and responsible forestry management, which is enforced by regular surveys.
Using high amounts of postconsumer waste fiber is an important way to reduce
pressure on forest lands and Mohawk is a leading producer of recycled paper. We were
the first paper manufacturer in the U.S. to receive Green Seal certification. We used
over 23,000 tons of postconsumer fiber in 2010, which essentially eliminated the
harvest of 552,000 trees.
EMPLOYEE INITIATIVES
Our employees are active in the
community – not just the local towns they
live in but the larger community we’re all
a part of. Each year they volunteer their
time for local charitable events, and
contribute time and money to local and
national organizations such as United
Way, Walk for a Cure, JDRF, cancer
research, Relay for Life, and the regional
food bank. Mohawk supports employee
initiatives and leadership by providing
volunteer time and matching grants.
CORPORATE INITIATIVES
In addition to supporting our employees,
Mohawk sponsors and takes an active
leadership role in diverse organizations
such as AIGA, Boston College Center
for Corporate Citizenship, United States
EPA Climate Leaders, and FSC North
America Economic Council. We also
support nonprofits such as Design Ignites
Change and charity: water. In programs
such as these we have one simple goal:
to be a positive catalyst for change.
Every Mohawk grade carries the “Mohawk windpower” designation which means
100% of the electricity used in Mohawk’s operations is matched with RECs from
Green-e certified windpower projects. Today Mohawk purchases enough RECs to
match 100% of the electricity we purchase from renewable energy market leaders.
In 2013, Mohawk signed the Renewable Energy Markets Association 5-year pledge
to help increase renewable energy generation in the U.S. by voluntarily purchasing
green power.
Mohawk offers a number of products that are made carbon neutral within our
production processes. After purchasing RECs to match 100% of the electricity used
in our operations, the thermal energy used to manufacture these papers is offset with
Verified Emissions Reduction credits (VERs) that fund renewable, emission-free
energy projects. Through this process, Mohawk is seeking to manufacture these papers
with a net zero climate impact.
In addition to supporting renewable energy, Mohawk commits significant resources
to minimize harmful emissions from our mills. State-of-the-art steam plants have
been installed to greatly reduce the amount of air pollutants, and air emissions have
been capped at a level that will remain set regardless of production increases. We
also conserve energy throughout our organization and participate in state-sponsored
energy research and conservation programs. The results of these savings have been
dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that have earned Mohawk a reputation
for environmental leadership.
BUSINESS
AND MARKETS
Like all successful companies that grow and evolve,
Mohawk is diversifying into adjacent markets where
the investment aligns with our mission. Today Mohawk
is a global business that serves a broad market,
from individual consumers to the Fortune 500, on every
continent, across a range of services that include
manufacturing, publishing, communication, and design.
PAPER AND
SUBSTRATES
Mohawk makes high-performance papers
and envelopes for the professional design
and print communities. Products are
developed to support the full range of
printing platforms – from letterpress to
offset to toner and ink jet. In 2011 we began
selling non-paper digital substrates and
pre-converted dimensional products for
digital presses.
PHOTO PUBLISHING
In 2010 Mohawk launched an online
photo boutique, Pinhole Press, offering
beautifully designed and personalized
photo products that are easy to create
and fun to give. Pinhole Press gained
media recognition as a consumer
“lifestyle brand” from industry experts
at Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple,
and the New York Times and was sold
in 2012 to Livebooks. In addition,
Mohawk’s premium digital papers
are the first choice of leading photo
publishing brands, such as Blurb,
Minted, and Moo.
MARKETPLACE
Featured in the Wall Street Journal,
Felt and Wire is an online magazine
and marketplace for designers and print
enthusiasts. It offers inspiration,
networking, and a place for individuals
interested in paper and design.
MANUFACTURING
Mohawk operates three paper machines
in Cohoes and Waterford, NY; two worldclass specialty converting centers in
New York and Ashtabula, Ohio; and
warehouses in New York, Ohio, California,
Washington, and the Netherlands.
SPECIALTY
CONVERTING SERVICES
We offer complete finishing and custom
converting services including exceptional
turn around time. Our specialty
converting centers feature humidity and
temperature controls, integrated process
controls, and an experienced staff of
paper manufacturers. Services include
folio, cut-size, and roll converting as well
as packaging, laminating, embossing,
quality assurance, and logistics support.
ENVELOPE
CONVERTING
In 2010 Mohawk launched its world
class converting facility in Saybrook,
Ohio, with a converting capacity of
2.5 million envelopes per day. Between
Mohawk’s in-house capabilities and
our converting partners, we can provide
almost any envelope configuration,
including flexo printing, preprinted
litho conversion, windows, pressure
sensitive, foil lining, special enclosures,
and special packaging.
INTERNATIONAL
Mohawk’s export sales are growing rapidly and represent
about 12% of total premium paper sales. We have a welldeveloped supply chain network to support the global
paper needs of multinational corporations. In addition,
our commitment to people and logistics has made us
a viable partner for printers and designers around the
world who are producing print for local markets.
We distribute to 60 countries outside North America
with sales offices in Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
With a dedicated warehouse in the Netherlands,
merchant inventory in every country, and a local sales
force, we support the entire European Union.
OPERATIONAL
EXCELLENCE
“Making it easy to do business with us” is an ever-present
goal at Mohawk. That means our services and systems
must be optimized to perform as efficiently as possible.
To achieve that goal, we’ve made substantial investments
in technology, from improving process analysis and
warehousing to expedite the fulfillment process to
building a new website that makes it easier for customers
to order, find information, and engage with us. It’s
designed to ensure we’re serving our customers on their
terms and exceeding their expectations.
Operational excellence is one reason
Mohawk has been named a winner of
the Annual Progressive Manufacturing
100 Awards for the fourth year in a
row. “Mohawk has demonstrated an
ability to rethink their business model
and apply advanced technologies in
innovative ways that manufacturers
everywhere would be well served
to emulate,” said David R. Brousell,
editor-in-chief of Manufacturing
Enterprise Communications.
But this achievement goes beyond our
manufacturing processes. Operational
excellence is a core value at the
company that informs everything we
do. Operational excellence is behind
our decision to purchase 116 million
kWh of wind RECs (renewable energy
certificates), more than enough green
power to meet the company’s annual
electricity use and placing Mohawk
on the US Environmental Protection
Agency’s Top 50 Green Power Partners.
It’s behind our decision to join the
SmartWay Transport Partnership,
another step to lessen Mohawk’s impact
on the environment.
Perhaps the most important impact
of operational excellence is the safety
of our employees. Through August 2011,
our Cohoes, NY and Ashtabula, Ohio
plants have logged 7 million hours over
7 years without lost time due to an
accident. It’s an achievement we’re
especially proud of. And it’s reflected in
Mohawk being ranked fourth of 46
companies in safety by AF&PA in 2011,
and COO Kevin Richard receiving an
Executive Eagle Award from Pulp & Paper
Safety Association in 2008.
Our focus on operational excellence,
combined with an entrepreneurial,
hard-working culture, leadership in
information technology, and a strong
creative drive have also enabled us to
achieve significant growth over our
history and expand into new markets.
It’s about doing the best job we can
at running our company, so that our
customers – both new and old – want
to do business with us.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Mohawk Board of Directors
includes business leaders with executive
experience at other publicly owned
corporations and privately held firms.
—
Thomas D. O’Connor, Jr.
Walter A. Duignan
Jack F. Haren Kevin P. Richard
Arthur J. Douville
Charles H. Greiner, Jr.
Frances Hardart Anthony F. Kahn
John J. McNally
Andy Patrick
James E. Rogers
Charles W. Schmidt
Annabel Strife
Peter H. Vogel, Jr.
George W. Wurtz, III
MANAGEMENT
Mohawk’s management team provides industry expertise, strategic direction, and
financial discipline to ensure that the company is well-positioned to grow, innovate,
and lead our industry.
—
—
Thomas D. O’Connor, Jr.,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Gavin L. Gaynor,
Vice President,
Research and Development
Jack F. Haren,
President and Chief Financial Officer
Kevin P. Richard,
Executive Vice President,
Operations and Chief Operating Officer
Paul J. Biesiadecki,
Executive Vice President, Sales and
Marketing
—
George W. Milner,
Senior Vice President, Energy,
Environmental and Governmental Affairs
—
Printed on Mohawk Superfine Smooth
Ultrawhite Digital with i-Tone
100 text/148gsm and 100 cover/270gsm.
Printed on an HP Indigo 7600.
Christopher M. Harrold,
Vice President,
Business Development,
Digital Technologies
Harold Cropsey,
Corporate Controller
John P. Macy,
Vice President and Treasurer
Michael J. Madura, Jr.,
Vice President, Digital Media
F. Joseph O’Connor,
Senior Vice President, International Sales
Edward G. O’Connor,
Vice President, Sales
John B. O’Connor,
Senior Vice President, Administration
Bart M. Robinson,
Vice President, Marketing
Craig E. Slemp,
Senior Vice President,
Strategic Planning and Direct Sales
Robert W. Scammell,
Vice President, Manufacturing
Paul J. Stamas,
Vice President,
Information Technology
465 Saratoga Street
Cohoes, NY 12047
800 THE MILL
800 843 6455
March 2013
76-708640013