Flexible packaging plays to its strengths in sustainability for continuing growth

By Tom Polischuk

2012 portrait

A peek at annual results from several major companies in the flexible packaging market can provide a good snapshot of the overall 2012 business environment.

Sonoco reported a year-over-year sales increase of 6 percent (2011 to 2012). However, Chairman and CEO Harris E. DeLoach Jr. was disappointed with the overall performance. "Our performance in 2012 was not what we expected when we began the year. We did not fully anticipate the negative impact that rising commodity costs would have on consumers' spending for packaged food, or the extent to which the European recession and slowing emerging market economies would reduce demand in our industrial-related businesses."