Recently, the Flexible Packaging Association issued its First Quarter 2011 Pulse of the Industry Report, which provides information on the performance of flexible packaging converters. The Report is a benefit of FPA membership and is available in the “Members Only” section of the FPA Web site, www.flexpack.org. Specifically, the Pulse of the Industry Report examines sales, volume, profit, inventory, capital expenditures, and capacity utilization for first quarter 2011 versus fourth quarter 2010 and first quarter 2010. The data and information appearing within the Report is gathered through the 2011 Pulse of the Industry Survey. According to the Report, 79 percent of survey participants reported higher sales in first quarter 2011 versus fourth quarter 2010; 67 percent of survey participants reported higher first quarter 2011 profits versus fourth quarter 2010; and, expectations for sales in second quarter 2011 are optimistic with 64 percent of survey participants expecting higher sales in second quarter 2011 versus first quarter 2011.

For more information about the First Quarter 2011 Pulse of the Industry Report, contact Bob Zaborowski, Director, Business & Economic Research, at (410) 694-0800 orbzaborowski@flexpack.org