Tough Times

Hammer sees other opportunities stemming from new technologies. "Growth within the label market will come from new, innovative ways of product decoration," he predicts. "Present decoration methods will realize growth as the economy improves, but the real growth will come in new technology."

Reardon mentions some market segments that are showing relative strength. "The two main areas least affected by the recession are anything related to consumer food packaging and healthcare fields," he notes. "Although labeling in the food and healthcare segments has seen some softening in demand, they are relatively stronger than other application areas and are stable (food) or showing demand growth (healthcare)."