The 4th Quarter 2010 Pulse of the Industry Report, produced by the Flexible Packaging Association, provides flexible packaging converter performance information (sales, volume, profit, inventory, capital expenditures and capacity utilization) for 4th quarter 2010 versus 3rd quarter 2010 and 4th quarter 2009. In addition, information is included to examine expectations for sales and volume performance in 1st quarter 2011 versus 4th quarter 2010.

Highlights of the Report note that 45 percent of participating companies had higher profits in 4th quarter 2010 than 3rd quarter 2010; and, 50 percent of participating companies reported lower sales, and 5 percent reported no change. Participating companies also expressed optimism for company sales with 77 percent expecting higher sales in 1st quarter 2011 versus 4th quarter 2010.

The 4th Quarter 2010 Pulse of the Industry Report is a benefit of membership and is available in the Members Only section of www.flexpack.org. For more information, contact Bob Zaborowski, director, Business and Economic Research, at (410) 694-0800 or bzaborowski@flexpack.org