Label industry Metamorphosis

Part of the package-printing dilemma comes from being caught in a supply-chain squeeze, wrestling at 100 lbs. while being thrown into the ring between two Sumo wrestlers. Many times package printers find themselves being out-leveraged by large suppliers on one side and large customers on the other.

In Hare's view, the label printing industry will follow the flexible packaging industry "where you have several large players." Consolidation will be part of the picture, but some companies will just go out of business. "Out in time, there will be a smaller number of printers," he predicts.