STATE OF THE INDUSTRY ON THE OFFENSIVE

Recent merger and acquisition activity has birthed both expanded-capacity companies, and more fully integrated printer/converters. Pechiney Plastic Packaging will extend its reach into the medical packaging market with its planned purchase of Phoenix Health Care Products. Late last year, Lithotype Company purchased Eclipse Packaging and rechristened it the Lithografix Company. Pliant Corporation acquired assets of film manufacturer Uniplast Holdings in summer of 2001, while Bemis completed its acquisition of Duralam in September of last year.