FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 3, 2009

MFP News – 759

Client Contact:
Jane Monast
Mohawk Fine Papers
518.233.6732
MonastJ@mohawkpaper.com

Agency Contact:
Pam Williams
Williams and House
860.675.4140
pwilliams@williamsandhouse.com

Mohawk Fine Papers Has Purchased the SMART Papers Premium

Uncoated Writing, Text and Cover Brands

Mohawk also named exclusive marketer of SMART’s premium cast

and matte coated papers through traditional paper distribution
channels.

Highlights:

• Mohawk to manufacture and sell well-known SMART uncoated

brands: Pegasus; Carnival; Synergy; Passport; Genesis; Magna
Carta; SMART Brights; Feltweave; Nekoosa Linen, 25% Cotton,
Bond; Skytone; Solutions; and Proterra.

• Mohawk named exclusive marketer for SMART’s premium

coated papers, Kromekote® and Knightkote®, to traditional
paper distribution companies and graphic designers
worldwide.

[Cohoes, NY] – Mohawk Fine Papers Inc. announced today it has purchased the
premium uncoated writing, text and cover brands from SMART Papers of
Hamilton, Ohio. The purchase includes the Carnival, Passport, Genesis,
Synergy, Pegasus, Magna Carta, Solutions, Feltweave, Nekoosa, Proterra,
Skytone, and SMART Brights brands and will make Mohawk the largest
supplier of premium papers in North America.

Mohawk will also become the exclusive marketer of SMART’s Kromekote and
Knightkote brands to traditional paper distribution companies and graphic
designers worldwide.

The companies are working together to smoothly transition manufacturing

and sales of all uncoated products within the next 30 days.

SMART Papers will continue to manufacture Kromekote and Knightkote brands

in its Hamilton, Ohio facility and will also continue to sell to strategic accounts
worldwide, including specialty converters, original equipment manufacturers,
label manufacturers, laminators, gift and box wrap printers, and greeting card
companies.

- more -

According to Thomas D. O’Connor, Jr., Mohawk’s chairman and CEO,

“Mohawk’s acquisition of the SMART Papers franchise is a strategic
opportunity for Mohawk and its merchant customers. We are committed to
developing the writing, text and cover franchise and expanding on SMART’s
strong commitment to the digital market. These opportunities, coupled with
such legendary brands as Kromekote, Carnival and Nekoosa will allow us to
offer the strongest premium paper franchise in the world. In addition, because
of efficiencies gained over the past decade, we will quickly incorporate these
tons into our system and continue to provide world-class quality and customer
service.”

“I agree that today’s news positively changes the business model and the
marketplace for premium printing papers in North America,” says Tim
Needham, chairman of SMART Papers. “Mohawk is well respected as a world-
class sales and marketing organization to the global paper merchant
community for premium papers. They can now bring an unmatched offering
of premium coated and uncoated papers to their strong and loyal customer
base.”

About Mohawk Fine Papers

Recognized for its technical innovation and environmental focus, Mohawk Fine
Papers Inc. manufactures premium printing, writing and digital paper.
Signature grades include Strathmore®, Mohawk SuperfineTM, Beckett
Concept®, Beckett Expression®, BriteHue®, Via®, Mohawk Color Copy®,
Mohawk Digital Papers and proprietary Inxwell® products, Navajo®, and
Options®. Mohawk engineers its papers to provide optimal performance for
sheetfed, web and digital printing.

Uses for Mohawk papers include corporate reports, corporate identity

systems, high-end brochures, packaging and everyday communication for
businesses of all sizes and types. Mohawk digital papers are also used in on-
demand photo books, personalized direct mail and custom packaging.
Mohawk offers reams and envelopes through its ecommerce site at
Strathmore.com.

A certified woman-owned business enterprise and leader in environmental

stewardship, Mohawk is the first U.S. paper mill to offset 100% of its electricity
with renewable windpower and the first U.S. premium paper mill to shift
toward carbon neutral production. Also offered are recycled papers certified
by Green Seal and papers certified to the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC)
standards by SmartWood, a program of the Rainforest Alliance. FSC
certification ensures responsible use of forest resources.
©1996 Forest Stewardship Council A.C. SW-COC-000668
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