Flexibility is the Key

According to the study, one item that will likely constrain the business opportunities for North American suppliers is the shift to offshore production in many consumer products markets. This is a trend that will be watched closely for many years to come.

How was 2005?

Marla Donahue, president of the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), reports “the flexible packaging industry had a pretty good year, especially considering the impact hurricanes Katrina and Rita had on oil, gas, and resin prices and availability. U.S. flexible packaging annual sales grew to more than $22 billion, a growth rate of 3.8 percent, continuing its trend of outpacing U.S. GDP. Profit margins did suffer, but are expected to increase again in 2006.”