U.S. packaging machinery surpasses $6 billion

This marks the fifth consecutive year of growth, according to PMMI’s 2007 Shipments and Outlook Study.

Sixteen of seventeen categories experienced growth last year. And two categories, wrapping (+18.6%) and capping, overcapping, lidding and sealing machinery (+11.2%) enjoyed doubledigit growth. Converting machinery was the only category with a modest decline (-0.6%).

Packaging machiner y exports reached $1.01 billion, an increase of 0.5%. Domestic demand increased by 8.4% to $6.6 billion. Domestic shipments were up 7.2% to $5.1 billion and imports were up 12.6% with $1.5 billion in sales.

“U.S. demand for packaging machinery has been strong for the past three years with 9.8% growth in 2004, 7.6% growth in 2005, and last year’s 8.4% growth,” notes Charles D. Yuska, president and CEO of PMMI. “While things have slowed this year, capacity remains high, and we expect consumer- goods companies to continue past buying patterns.”

PMMI, Arlington, Va., is a trade association of more than 500 manufacturers of packaging and related converting machinery in the U.S. and Canada.