Folding Cartons: Fighting on Several Fronts

One aspect of the folding carton industry in which there is solid consensus is that of consolidation. “It’s unavoidable and necessary,” says Zeiser.

Van de Water puts a twist on the approach companies are taking to consolidate. “We see consolidation continuing across the board … but with a difference. Most of the majors realize that big is not in itself, a strategy. The more progressive firms are ‘smartsizing’ or evaluating operating units for fit with strategy and goals for overall performance; the right units will receive further investment while the less efficient units will be sold or closed.”