Tomorrow is Right Around the Corner

Hole: Print buyers are vitally interested in any new technology that holds promise for getting their products to the consumer faster. The snack food industry and other high-volume consumer product segments that utilize high-volume, wide web printing are particularly paying attention.

For that reason, we're beginning to see commitments from the major multi-national packaging printers. They are converting entire plants from flat plates to sleeves. Just one of those conversions can result in a demand for 15,000—20,000 sleeves per year. That in turn will be a huge motivator to the sleeve suppliers. As market demand expands, it will become easier for smaller companies to take on sleeves. Frankly, some will have no choice—the competitive pressure from end users will force them into technology changes.