March 2001 Issue
Ahead of the Curve
Carton converters should use their economic head start to get a handle on sometimes-elusive niche opportunities. by Susan Friedman, Editor Folding carton converters, as well as other primary packaging producers, typically have the unique, though sometimes stomach-wrenching, opportunity to see and experience what will happen to the general economy before it takes hold at large. According to Jerry Van de Water, president of the Paperboard Packaging Council, the U.S. folding carton industry is generally regarded as a harbinger of economic cycles because cartons are produced and entered into the supply stream months in advance of consumer goods production. What carton converters see now, he
Digital at the Finish Line
Digital print's short-run suitability presents a sizeable learning curve to converters' in-line finishing. by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor THOUGH COMMON WISDOM claims otherwise, sometimes you can have things both ways. That need has been, and will continue to be, the mother of invention regarding digital print finishing. The paradox: How do you pair in-line converting with a print process engineered for short-run jobs? The stops and starts of in-line have thus far greatly restricted much integration with on-demand techniques, but press manufacturers' discovery process has only just begun. Cost concerns Thoro Packaging's hesitation to embrace digital technology in its folding carton facility is
Hints of a Silver Lining
Package printers' 2001 prospects look brighter than the cloudy overall economic picture. by Regis J. Delmontagne, President, NPES As 2001 began, our industry was concerned, for the first time in several years, with the prospect of an economic slowdown. The printing industry in general, and package printing in particular, have been doing very well recently, but some authorities fear even a modest economic setback could have disproportionate impacts. At last December's PRINT OUTLOOK® 2001 conference in Washington, for example, National Association of Printers and Lithographers Economist Andrew Paparozzi noted if the national economy grows in 2001 and 2002 at only about a 3.5 percent
Multi-web Wonders
Suppliers and converters experiment with film combos to yield more-than-functional flexible packaging. by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor Heavy-weight champion Bearing in mind the enhanced structural demands of commercial packaging, Kapak Corp. has developed a specialty line of retort pouch materials designed for institutional packagers. Institutional pouches, typically several pounds in weight, must meet barrier, drop test, retort temperature (up to 250°F), and other packaging requirements. The Kapak retort pouch line therefore utilizes a unique film construction: transparent polyester/silica-coated nylon/cast polypropylene on the outside, and a polyester/aluminum foil/biaxially-oriented nylon/cast polypropylene inner layer. The pouches are manufactured on an eight-color Toshiba gravure
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
Proper Perspective
The economic boom may be over, but the label industry is still charted for healthy growth. by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor "DON'T BELIEVE THE hype," in so many words, was the message Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan had for Congress last month in his semi-annual report on the economy. Though he wasn't disputing the slow-down trend of mid- to late-2000, he maintained the country is not headed for a full-scale recession. He even pointed to positive signs for the first few months of 2001. Greenspan did warn Congress, however, that economic forecasters could never really predict recessions, because they are largely caused by
Upgrading Your Portfolio
Preparation and experience determine which printers and trade shops most readily reap Digital Asset Management's benefits. by Terri McConnell, PrePress Editor Digital Asset Management (DAM) has been described as an emerging billion-dollar industry. Estimates from the California-based market research firm GISTICS suggest revenues from DAM software development could reach $3.2 billion by the end of 2001. That's an enticement certain to create frenzy within today's opportunistic investment community. But, in this case, the buzz surrounding DAM is both legitimate and well deserved. It really is an important issue for every business to address, and what both large corporations and small businesses alike will find
