Packaging: A Change Continuum

In general, where major retail groups are expanding into developing geographical markets, it is likely that local sources of packaging printed for their own private label brands—an area where there has been a surge of activity—will be found to keep costs down, with consequent reductions in print orders in the home market. Suppliers in the home country will not likely benefit from such market growth. We already see in these geographies a proliferation of locally manufactured printing presses, substrates, inks, and other ancillaries being used in the domestic market. We see strong evidence today that package printers in countries like China are actually competing in North American markets for business—and winning not only on cost, but with a quality product.