So you (don’t) want to be an engineer?
U.S. converted flexible packaging to reach $16.5 billion in 2011
Private labels: Silver lining ’round the dark economic cloud
Where have all the new products gone?
Security packaging features needed to curb global theft loses
SOURCES FOR CURRENT RESIN PRICES
So you
(don’t) want to be an engineer?
Many kids saying no to a career in engineering.
AHarris Interactive/American
Society for Quality (ASQ) surveyreleased last week shows that an overwhelming 85% of children ages 8 through 17
say they are not interested in a future engineering career. WithNational Engineers Weekonly a month away (Feb. 15–21, 2009), the findings give manufacturers more to
worry about as they struggle with a troubling shortage of engineers, which may
reach 70,000 by 2010 based on an estimate by the National Science Foundation.
The survey found that 44% of children aren’t interested in
engineering simply because they don’t know much about the topic. Still another
30% of respondents shied away from engineering because they prefer a more
exciting career than engineering. Finally, 21% of those kids surveyed don’t
feel confident enough in their math or science skills to perform well in engineering.
(Ironically, the largest number of kids ranked math (22%) and science (17%) as
their favorite subjects.)
The Harris/ASQ study also surveyed parents and found that
engineering isn’t a career they’re seeing their children in, either. The adult
survey found that only 20% of parents have encouraged or will encourage their
child/children to consider an engineering career. Further, the majority of
parents (97%) believe that knowledge of math and science will help their children
have a successful career.
(Note
to readers: A press release about the survey is expected to
post to the ASQ manufacturing website in the next two weeks.)
U.S.
converted flexible packaging to reach $16.5 billion in 2011
Pouches to see the swiftest demand increases, driven
by cost, performance and material reduction benefits.
The demand for converted flexible packaging will expand 4.2%
annually, growing to $16.5 billion by 2011 saysConverted Flexible Packaging, a study
released by Cleveland-based industry research firmThe
Freedonia Group Inc.
Much of the growth, according to the report, will be
attributable to cost, performance and source reduction advantages over glass,
metal, paperboard and other rigid packaging. Barrier requirements in many
markets will drive increased demand for value-added materials to enhance shelf
life or product protection while advancements in breathable and self-venting films
and resealable features will also fuel growth. Additionally, greater numbers of
single-person households and older consumers will support demand for more
convenient prepared foods and single-serving portions: This trend will boost
material consumption as smaller packages tend to use more packaging relative to
their size.
Of all the major converted flexible packaging types, pouches
(especially stand-up and flat pouches) will see the largest and fastest advances-the
demand there is expected to grow 5.9% annually, expanding to $6.9 billion by 2011.
In addition, faster line speeds and increased throughputs combined with and the
increasing use of value-added features like spouts, zippers, retortability and microwavability
will further boost prospects for pouches.
According to the study, food markets are projected to
increase 4.5% per year to $11.6 billion in 2011; the produce, meat and related
products, beverage and frozen food markets will see the fastest growth. Increased
demand for food in smaller package sizes or larger multipacks containing
smaller units will drive the demand for converted flexible packaging.
Non-food markets are forecast to climb 3.5% per annum to $4.9
billion in 2011, growth that is helped by cost, source reduction, barrier
protection, product visibility, theft protection and product unitization. The
pharmaceutical and medical markets will expand more rapidly based on heightened
barrier requirements, cost and convenience advantages and adaptability to
growing unit-of-use requirements.
Private
labels: Silver lining ’round the
dark economic cloud
Retailers capitalizing on the momentum in virtually
every grocery aisle.
For the year ending Nov. 2, 2008, private-label goods
represented $82 billion in U.S.
sales and a 16.4% dollar share within food, drug and mass merchandisers,
including Walmart stores, according to aNielsen Co.
report.
Despite such a strong presence in American pantries and shelves, the U.S. is dwarfed by more developed private-label
markets in Switzerland (a
46% share), the UK (43%), Germany (30%), Belgium
(29%) and Spain
(26%). Recently in the U.S.,
though, the trajectory is decidedly upward for private-label dollar and unit
sales, reaching a 21.4% unit and 17% dollar share during the latest four-week
period.
Retailers have gotten in on the private-label movement,
introducing house brands throughout their stores and have seen huge successes in
the dairy cases, deli department and frozen cases where retailer brand dollar
share has represented 40%, 25% and 20% of sales, respectively. Private-label
performance has improved in fresh meat and dry grocery areas, fresh produce and
non-food, health-and-beauty and packaged meat areas as well, all while national
brand performance is worsening in nearly every department, especially in
commodity categories and those with little product differentiation.
Where
have all the new products gone?
CPG product launches may have slowed in 4Q2008, but
leading companies stick to the “fundamentals” of success.
Will flexible packaging converters have to search harder for
business from new product launches at consumer packaged goods companies?
According toan articlepublished on AdAge.com, although the number of new product launches in 2008 was
up 5.9% versus the previous year, introductions in the fourth quarter were
flat.
The decline could be due to the worsening economy…or to a
delay in reporting on new products.
Not everyone is taking a “hunker down” attitude. Procter
& Gamble chairman/chief executive officer A.G. Lafley told investors in
December 2008 that consumers are just as receptive to new products during bad
economic times as they are in good times. This is not just wishful thinking.
Lafley cited data from three earlier recessions showing that consumer purchase
intent and value perception remained consistent.
John Hall, chief executive officer of consulting firmSpencerHall, doesn’t see a slow
down in new product development either. “There’s a lot of push for value-added
things, trying to set products apart by adding more to core offerings,” Hall
says.
At its December analysts meeting, P&G executives
reassured investors that the company would succeed by sticking to the
fundamentals of business by continuing to invest in brand building and
innovation. And that means a healthy dose of new products.
Security
packaging features needed to curb global theft loses
Retail shrinkage cost North American retailers more
than $42 billion last year.
Flexible packaging solutions to help prevent in-store theft
could help save billions of dollars each year. Globally, retailers lost $104.5
billion in the year ending June 30, 2008, with the majority of those losses
coming from North America ($42.338 billion-a figure that represents 1.48% of
total sales).
According to theGlobal
Retail Theft Barometer-an
annual survey conducted by the Centre for Retail Research and sponsored byCheckpoint Systems-almost
a third (30.3%) of retailers did not provide any specific protection for their
top 50 most-stolen items.
Rob van der Merwe, Checkpoint’s president/chief executive
officer, says, “This represents an immediate opportunity for improvement. As
the recession increases pressure on shrink, we are partnering with retailers to
help solve their biggest challenges. Most of them see the need to improve their
shrink management programs and it is critical to develop a targeted approach
for the most vulnerable products to protect their bottom lines in 2009.”
Of course, Checkpoint encourages product manufacturers to
use more of its electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags. And those brand
owners are more apt today to ask their packaging suppliers to apply/embed these
at the point of package manufacture.
SOURCES
FOR CURRENT RESIN PRICES
Chemical
Data Inc.
Chemical
Market Associates Inc.
DeWitt
& Co. Inc.
ICIS
IDES Inc.
Plastics News
FlexPackReport 13Jan2009
January 15, 2009
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