The Flexible Packaging Association’s 2011 Fall Executive
Conference, recently held in Chicago, IL, provided great networking
opportunities for flexible packaging leaders and peers, and focused on key
issues and topics important to the flexible packaging industry including
Opportunities for the U.S. Flexible Packaging Industry; M&A Activity in the
Packaging Industry; U.S. Fiscal Challenges; Food Safety; the Global Economy;
and, the Cost and Availability of Flexible Packaging Materials.
Presentations from the 2011 FPA Fall Executive Conference
are available in the Members Only section of the FPA Web site (
www.flexpack.org).
This issue of the FPA Update provides a recap of those presentations.
FPA Update
Bill Burke, president and COO of Nordenia U.S.A., and
chairman of the FPA Board of Directors, opened the 2011 FPA Fall Executive
Conference with a review of recent FPA activities and accomplishments. Bill
also discussed the results of the FPA Flexible Packaging Waste Resource
Recovery Pilot Program.
Opportunity
Assessment for the U.S. Flexible Packaging Industry
Jeff Bornstein, vice president; and, Bruce Deckman,
president of SAI Industrial LLC, presented the results of the FPA Opportunity
Assessment for U.S. Flexible Packaging Industry study. FPA commissioned SAI to
conduct this research, which explored top trends, opportunities, and barriers
to flexible packaging growth. The study also examined issues and opportunities
for conversion from other packaging formats to flexible packaging.
Packaging Industry: M&A Perspectives
Richard Weil, director, Investment Banking; and Louis
Mitchell, managing director, Investment
Banking for Mesirow Financial discussed recent merger and acquisition
activities in the packaging industry, and their impact on flexible packaging
businesses. Combined, Richard and Louis have more the 25 years of M&A
experience, and have advised on more than 70 mergers and acquisitions in a
variety of industries, including manufacturing, packaging, plastics, and
flexible packaging.
Addressing our Nation's Fiscal Challenges: What it Means for
Manufacturers
Dorothy Coleman, vice president of Tax and Domestic Policy
at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) discussed current U.S.
economic and financial challenges and their impact on the manufacturing
industry. At NAM, Dorothy is a spokesperson for tax policy issues and provides
NAM members with important tax-specific information, and represents NAM’s position
to Congress.
Applicability of Food Safety Modernization Act on Packaging
Manufacturers
Joseph Levitt, partner, Hogan Lovells discussed the
applicability of the recently enacted Food Safety Modernization act (FSMA) to
makers of food packaging materials. During his address, Joseph examined several
key issues including Act compliance, regulation implementation, and material
adulteration.
Flexible Packaging Materials Update
Nick Vafiadis, business director of Polyolefins & PVC at
CMAI provided an update the cost and availability of flexible packaging
materials. Nick’s presentation focused on polyolefin resins - the highest
volume raw material for the flexible packaging industry – including
polyethylene (high, low, and linear low density), and polypropylene. Nick also
discussed key issues that are expected to drive the evolution of the industry
in the near future.
FPA Update October 2011: FPA Holds Successful 2011 FALL EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE
January 11, 2012
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