Consolidating their positions

摘要

International Paper is once again way out in front in the PPI Top 100 for 2003.The US-based company posted net sales from pulp,paper and converting operations of more than US21.5 billion last year,nearly twice the total of its nearest rival.That is now Stora Enso,which overtook Georgia-Pacific and Procter & Gamble in the PPI listing.Given the two US companies' desire not to be too closely associated with the pulp and paper sector,the news will perhaps not cause too many sleepless nights for their senior management.The same doubtless holds true for the other US tissue giant,Kimberly-Clark,which slid to seventh place from sixth a year ago.