PFFC Economic Monitor: Subscribe Today

Published: April 04, 2004, By PFFC Marketing

Pricing Pressure Is Prevalent in Converting Industry*

"With the exception of flex-pack converters, most converters are experiencing the same inability to increase selling prices as most other firms in the overall US economy."**

CHICAGO, IL, USA—Let's face it: In today's hyer-competitive business environment, business owners and managers—in the manufacturing industry sectors especially—need all the information they can get to keep up with the rapidly changing marketplace.

In order to help converting industry professionals get important economic and industry-specific information quickly and easily, PFFC recently introduced a new informational product to help you meet your converting business goals: — The PFFC Economic Monitor.

For one time only, PFFC is offering the survey information FREE in a downloadable PDF.

( [1.9MB] The PFFC Economic Monitor, right click or click and hold to download file).

Among the industry-specific information you'll find in PFFC's Q1 2004 Economic Monitor survey:

• Pre-Tax Profitability
  

  "Forty-five percent of total respondents said their pre-tax profits decreased in 2003 versus 2002. Other charts in this report will indicate the inability to raise selling prices, increases in raw material costs, and lower revenue levels as the primary factors affecting this metric."

• Investment
  

  "In total, converters felt that 'Expanding Product Line into New Markets' and "Investment in Capital Equipment' would provide the greatest impact in driving revenue and net profit. Product quality and customer service were viewed as having the least impact in increasing overall business."

The PFFC Economic Monitor will be published on a quarterly basis, with the next survey scheduled to be sent to panel members in late April. Subscriptions to the The PFFC Economic Monitor are available for $99.00 (US) per year. For subscription information, contact Cheryl Mangano at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (312/840-8477).

**Data based on first survey of converters participating on the The PFFC Economic Monitor panel. The initial survey completed end of January 2004. The PFFC Economic Monitor is distributed free of charge to panel members.

*Noted information extrapolated from measure of four converting sectors: flexible packaging; paperboard packaging; tapes, labels, and tags; and unprinted rolls and sheets.)

And for the latest converting-industry specific information three times a week, continue to visit pffc-online.com.