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Electric Drives and Controls - Market Segments
Technology Updates: Market Trends
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Clear skies ahead?
In a recent press release, the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) announced that folding carton shipments brought in about $4.7 billion and 2.9 million tons in the first half of the year. Shipments increased in dollars by 4.2 percent, and tons increased by 4.7 percent versus the same period last year. If the remainder of the year keeps in step with the first half, those numbers will pass those of 2005, which had decreased from the previous year.
"The primary reason for the lower growth in carton shipments [in 2005] was a much slower economy than expected, and slower industrial production during the first half of 2005. In spite of the slowdown, 2005 was the second strongest year in the past five years and expectations for 2006 are positive, as long as energy costs do not escalate too quickly. Economists are suggesting a stronger U.S. economy in 2006, and many are predicting a return to capital investment," according to the PPC.
The whole story.
Bosch Rexroth View:As long as oil prices stay low (which you can count on at least through the mid-term elections in November), consumer confidence will remain steady and will positively impact carton shipments.
More on corrugated board printing.
Technology Tremors
The resilience of the printing industry was amply demonstrated during Graph Expo and Converting Expo 2006 which concluded recently at Chicago's McCormick Place.
The waves of new and notable technology can be summarized as "leaning down" the supply chain. This force for change means printers must link tightly to customers in every step of the print transaction, from capturing specifications during the initial sales cycle to allowing customers to view work in process, reassuring them of job status at any given moment – and proving that you're delivering what they asked for, when they need it.
This, in turn, affects proofing, workflow, enterprise management systems, press controls, digitally enabled and driven finishing, even matters as detailed and specific as sales tax calculation on items fulfilled and mailed from warehouses – another of the many value-added functions printers are taking on in the quest for new revenues. It has also has had an impact on the structure of suppliers to the industry.
The whole story.
Bosch Rexroth View:All the industries Bosch Rexroth deals with are facing greater pressure to integrate services end-to-end, keep better track of operations inside and outside their plants, and, in general, raise the transparency of their supply chains. And that, in turn, requires greater automation and control of entire processes.
More on system solutions.
US plastic-film demand to approach $29 billion in 2010
Domestic plastic-film demand is forecast to increase 2.6 percent a year to 15.2 billion pounds in 2010, valued at $12 billion (resin cost only), according to a new study by Cleveland-based market researcher The Freedonia Group, Inc. Total plastic film demand (including resins, additives, processing and other costs) will expand 4.5 percent annually to $28.6 billion.
Among various resins, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) will remain the leading film, accounting for 64 percent of the US total in 2010, with polypropylene (PP) presenting the best opportunities. Average film prices are expected to moderate following the steep price increases of 2004-2006, Freedonia predicts, which were caused primarily by spikes in raw material and energy costs.
The whole story.
Bosch Rexroth View:The advantages of flexible packaging over rigid containers, including lower raw materials costs and shipping and market performance compared to glass or metal, will continue to be a significant source of growth for the industry. But we can rest assured there will be new innovations down the road, too.
More on converting.
MIS: The bottom line
Properly used, management information systems (MIS) are the keystone of a successful printing operation. Senior management relies on these programs to evaluate overall company performance while production employees use the systems to communicate all manner of job data from virtually all departments, as well as customers.
JDF connectivity is enabling unprecedented process automation not only for internal manufacturing, but for external efforts, including Web-to-print and other initiatives. And there are other new developments.
The whole story.
Bosch Rexroth View: When properly implemented, management information systems can be an invaluable resource for companies in their decision-making. But to get the most out of your MIS, you must first understand all of its capabilities and evaluate how your company can apply them.
More on system solutions
The proof is in the package
Significant developments in packaging film technology recently prompted Unilever Foods’ North American Savory Division to rethink the traditional construction of its packaging for its biggest brands—Knorr and Lipton.
The company decided to replace the foil in the Paper-Polyethylene-Foil-Polyethylene (PPFP) packages with a technologically-advanced, thin, barrier metallized biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film.
The ‘drop-in film replacement,’ manufactured by Toray Plastics (America), Inc., has enabled the Savory Division to achieve greater barrier stability and produce a better consumer product that upholds the company’s mission to add vitality to life. The change has also allowed Unilever to improve brand equity, create an aesthetically superior package, and gain significant production savings.
The whole story.
Bosch Rexroth View: The unending quest for brand equity, aesthetically superior packaging, and greater production efficiency will continue to drive companies to think outside the box and look at new technologies like BOPP film to attain these goals.
More on converting
Film label advancements
Despite an increase in the cost of petroleum, which affects the prices of all traditional film products, the film segment of the narrow web industry continues to grow. Innovations are spurring film growth as well as the growing popularity of film use in certain market segments.
Most believe that packaging makes up the largest segment of film use. Derrick MacDonald, director of films product management at Fasson Roll North America, Painesville, OH, USA, says, “The largest film markets for narrow web include home and personal care, beer and beverage, security, and food labeling. The most popular applications are driven by consumers who are looking for convenience, easy handling and trouble-free portability.” MacDonald expects 3 to 5 percent growth for films in the home and personal care industry and double digit growth in the beer and beverage industry.
The whole story.
Bosch Rexroth View: From an automation perspective, we have also witnessed tremendous growth in these market segments, particularly in the food and beverage and pharmaceutical categories. Significant investments in automation suggest these industries are confident in their futures.
More on converting.
The six phases of roll handling
There are probably six phases of roll handling, at least as it pertains to printing (disregarding how the roll gets to and leaves the printing plant). A roll must move 1) from inventory to machine-side, 2) from machine-side to machine, and 3) within the machine.
Then, on the rewind end, take the process in reverse: 4) wind it up, 5) take it off, and 6) move it away. Productivity and quality will increase if rolls are in the proper condition when placed on the press. And careless handling of material inside your factory is costly. A small dent 5 mm deep on the exterior of a 600-mm diameter roll of p-s stock can result in the loss of 70 meters of material.
The whole story.
Bosch Rexroth View: It always pays to take a little extra time to verify the condition of the roll and handle it carefully when preparing it for the printing process.
More on system solutions.
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