Straight & Narrow

Existing Width Not Satisfying Demand

Recent research by IT Strategies of Hanover, Massachusetts indicates that some press manufacturers and brand owners believe the folding carton market is increasingly commoditized. Over the last 40 years its converting and printing capacity has developed primarily around large-scale, low-cost plants. As a result, folding carton converters have had to work with ever-thinner margins. Yet at the same time, demand for folding carton specialties—different options in size, shape, and features—has grown. The unique nature of some specialties has made it difficult for large-scale operations to offer flexible lower run lengths, in-line single-site conversion, and fulfillment.