Playing it Prudently

Converters put a conservative spin on spending and profits in 2001—but how much caution is too much?

by Susan Friedman, Editor

On the surface, there's plenty of positive flexible packaging news. Consider the 2000 returns reported by some of the larger players in the industry:

Alcoa turned in its best fourth quarter in the company's history, while Alcan sales were down for the quarter but up 34 percent for the year. Bemis netted a 13 percent increase in sales for the year, completing acquisitions of Viskase, and Arrow's flexible packaging business. Sealed Air's Cryovac division reported a 3 percent annual sales gain, and AEP's North American annual sales grew 10.2 percent.