New paper distributor to take on market leader Antalis

Rzeczpospolita has learned that paper products distributors, Europapier and Impap, will merge. This news was confirmed by the president of the Impap Jan Bartkowiak. He said that the operation will be carried out over the next 6-9 weeks and Impap would take over its competitor, including all assets b elonging to Europapier, after this a new venture will be created. Shares in the new entity would be taken over by International Paper and Frantschach AG, which control 100% stakes in both companies. The new paper distributor will become the second largest company on the market with a turnover of almost zł. 300 million, but, "Will have to take into consideration a 10%-20% initial drop in sales," said a sector representative. The current market leader is Antalis Poland, which recorded zł. 308 million revenues in 2002. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B5) M.M.