The increase was the largest percentage jump since 1995’s 10.9% gain. Canadian packaging machinery shipments, meanwhile, climbed 8.8% in 2004 to an estimated C$420.6 million (US$323.7 million).
All 17 U.S. equipment categories PMMI tracks showed growth, with double-digit increases in seven of them: converting (24.6%), skin and blister (23.8%), filling—liquid products (22.8%), labeling (22%), capping, overcapping, lidding, sealing (13.8%), form/fill/seal, bag/pouch (11.1%), and palletizing, depalletizing, and pallet unitizing (11.1%).
U.S. domestic shipments rose by $336 million (8.5%) to $4.273 billion. Exports added $119 million (12.5%) to $1.071 billion, marking the first time U.S. exports have topped $1 billion.
Food, beverage, and pharmaceutical/medical product packaging applications accounted for 72.6% of 2004 shipments, up from 67.7% the previous year.
Looking forward, the study forecasts 3.8% annual growth to $5.982 billion in 2007. The three machine categories predicted to lead that growth are the following: coding, dating, printing, marking, stamping, and imprinting (7.6% forecasted annual growth rate); labeling (6.1%); and skin and blister packing (4.7%). The complete study is available for $2귔 (nonmember price) by contacting Paula Feldman at 703/243-8555 or by e-mail at [email protected].
—Jim Butschli
