FREAKONOMICS & SUPERFREAKONOMICS
Co-Author Dr. Steven Levitt Delivers Keynote Address
Nearly 300 top-level industry professional participated in the 2012 FPA Annual
Meeting, which included great networking opportunities and content-rich
educational sessions. Winning entries of the 2012 FPA Flexible Packaging
Achievement Awards were also announced during the 2012 FPA Annual Meeting,
which was recently held at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale,
Arizona.
Special thanks is given to FPA members Ampacet Corporation, Berry Plastics
Corporation, Bobst Group North America, Comexi Group, Davis-Standard, LLC,
DuPont Company, Extrusion Dies Industries, LLC, Flint Group, Nordmeccania, NA,
Reifenhauser Incorporated, Siegwerk U.S.A. Company, and Sun Chemical
Corporation for their generous sponsorship of the 2012 FPA Annual Meeting
Networking Events.
Following are summaries of the 2012 FPA Annual Meeting presentations.
FREAKONOMICS and SUPERFREAKONOMICS
The New York Times bestselling co-author of FREAKONOMICS and SUPERFREAKONOMICS,
Dr. Steven Levitt delivered the keynote address titled, “FREAKONOMICS: Unconventional
Thinking for an Unpredictable Economy.” He discussed the importance of using
unconventional thinking to address the pros and cons of current business models
and how to succeed as well as excel in the midst of an economic crisis. Using examples from his bestselling books,
Steven examined how combining data, economic theory and unorthodox thinking in
the business world can help flexible packaging companies shine.
A Long Shadow: The World Economy after the Financial Crisis
Economics editor of The Economist Zanny Minton-Beddoes provided her perspective
on the global economy as it emerges from the deepest recession since the 1930s.
Her presentation titled, “A Long Shadow: The World Economy after the Financial
Crisis” examined the shape, scope and strength of the recovery and what kind of
global economy will emerge as a result. Zanny also discussed what the
consequences will be for America and the U.S. dollar.
Growth Opportunities for U.S. Flexible Packaging
As flexible packaging companies seek to grow their businesses and expand
flexible packaging’s share of the 134 billion U.S. packaging industry, FPA
commissioned market research examining
Growth Opportunities for U.S. Flexible Packaging. During the Meeting, the final
results of that research were shared by Jeff Bornstein, vice president of SAI.
Jeff, also the research project lead, provided an update on preliminary results
reviewed during the 2011 FPA Fall Executive Conference, and detailed challenges,
trends, and opportunities for flexible packaging growth. He noted that food
presents the largest potential segment for flexible
packaging.
A Global Perspective: Exploring the Dynamics of the Flexible Packaging
Marketplace
Senior vice president and Partner of Ernst & Young, Ken Brooks provided a
global perspective and explored the dynamics of the flexible packaging market
place. He discussed recent developments and market trends, the structure of the
flexible packaging market, and reviewed drivers of industry M&A activity.
Delivering Value Across the Value Chain
Holistic Packaging Design™ was the focus of Brian Wagner and Angelique Green’s
2012 FPA Annual Meeting presentation. Brian of co-founder of PTIS, a division
of Havi Global Solutions Direct, LLC and Angelique, managing director for
Boxer, shared how flexible packaging companies can blend insights from
consumers, retailers, competition, product requirements, material possibilities
and manufacturing capabilities to generate and realize powerful and unique
ideas for flexible packaging.
2012 FPA Flexible Packaging State of the Industry Report
Jim Mize, vice president Global Sector – Food Packaging of Sealed Air
Corporation, and newly elected chairman of the FPA Board of Directors, shared
the preliminary results of the 2012 FPA State of the Industry Report. Jim
provided insight on industry performance, major issues and challenges, and the
road ahead for the $25.5 billion industry. Jim also noted that the 2012 State
of the Industry Report would be available in spring 2012.
The Meeting also included presentations from Jan Homan, chairman of Constantia
Flexible Holding, and chairman of Flexible Packaging Europe, who provided an
Update on the European and Global Markets for Flexible Packaging; and Nick
Vafiadis of Chemical Market Associates/IHS, who delivered his bi-annual report
on the cost and availability of flexible packaging materials.
Presentations from the 2012 FPA Annual Meeting
are available in the Members Only section of thewww.flexpack.org. For more information, contact FPA
at (410) 694-0800.
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