CINCINNATI – Media Procurement Services (MPS), a subsidiary of The E. W. Scripps Company, has established an equity-based strategic alliance with McGrann Paper Corporation of Charlotte, N.C., that will result in MPS significantly increasing its purchase of newsprint, groundwood specialty papers and other value-added grades of paper.
As a result of the alliance, MPS will now be responsible for procuring more than 900,000 metric tons of publication and printing papers annually.
The alliance also enables MPS to offer its clients and mill suppliers direct access to McGrann Paper's nationwide capabilities of just-in-time deliveries, supply chain management services and custom web converting.
"We are very pleased to welcome McGrann Paper to MPS, not only as our most recent client, but as a partner in which we have obtained an equity position," said Sharon Hite, president and chief executive officer of MPS. "We believe that McGrann's proven capabilities in providing superior services and quick turnaround, its expertise in supply chain management specifically in web printing papers, its nationwide sales reach and distribution activities, and its four regional warehouse and converting service centers will provide significant benefits to our existing clients, our paper suppliers, and to MPS in the future."
The Paper Group of MPS exists primarily to procure and manage newsprint and other printing and publication papers for its clients. That includes negotiating, obtaining pricing, contracting for supply and purchasing paper products for these clients. Currently, MPS manages the paper purchasing and procurement function for 25 media group clients and services 150 print facilities.
"We are excited to join forces and be associated with a company having the recognition and presence in the industry as MPS," said Karl McGrann, president of McGrann Paper. "Over the years, we have developed close working relationships with many key suppliers. We look forward to continuing our involvement with these mills through MPS and to now working with the entire network of MPS suppliers to continue providing superior customer services and the best supply chain management and web converting services in the industry."
McGrann Paper Corporation exists to provide superior service to its customers with just-in-time and quick turnaround deliveries, often on a next-day basis.
McGrann provides this service by maintaining web inventory at several locations, including four McGrann warehouse and converting centers in Charlotte, N.C., Albany, N.Y., Canton, Ohio, and Pomona, Calif. McGrann Paper is a stocking web merchant, web converter, and has in-depth expertise in storing, handling, managing and tracking web paper inventory.
About Scripps
The E. W. Scripps Company (www.scripps.com) is a diverse and growing media enterprise with interests in national cable networks, newspaper publishing, broadcast television stations, interactive media, and licensing and syndication.
The company's portfolio of media properties includes: Scripps Networks, with such brands as HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Fine Living and Great American Country; daily and community newspapers in 17 markets and the Washington-based Scripps Media Center, home to the Scripps Howard News Service; 10 broadcast TV stations, including six ABC-affiliated stations, three NBC affiliates and one independent; Scripps Interactive Media, including leading online search and comparison shopping services, Shopzilla and uSwitch; and United Media, a leading worldwide licensing and syndication company that is the home of PEANUTS, DILBERT and approximately 150 other features and comics.