Folding Cartons: A Strong Message

According to Petrelli, who is also chairman of Paperboard Packaging Council's (PPC, www.ppcnet.org) board of directors, PPC's data indicated that the industry was down almost 1.5 percent in 2008 in the dollar value of product shipped and more than 3.0 percent in volume (tons) produced.

"Last October, the industry took a dive," said Ben Markens, PPC president. "Volumes went down in a hurry." This trend is continuing into 2009 as Markens reports that shipment tonnage is down just less than 5 percent and inventories are down 10 percent year-over-year through June. In addition, he said preliminary indications show a slight margin compression in 1Q09.