The Fourth Quarter 2012 “Pulse of the Industry” Report is the Flexible Packaging Association’s most recent benchmarking report. It focuses on the short-term performance of flexible packaging companies (converters) during fourth quarter 2012 versus third quarter 2012 and fourth quarter 2011. The Report also provides information on converter’s sales performance and volume/output expectations during first quarter 2013 (versus fourth quarter 2012).  

 

Several areas of business activity are examined in the Report including net sales, volume/output, profits, inventory levels, capital expenditures and capacity utilization. Data is gathered through the Fourth Quarter 2012 “Pulse of the Industry” survey. Sixty-eight percent of FPA converter members participated in the survey. These companies represent 59 percent of the value added flexible packaging industry sales.

 

Highlights of the Report note that compared to a year ago, 64 percent of the companies participating in the survey experienced higher flexible packaging sales levels for fourth quarter 2012 versus fourth quarter 2011. Thirty percent of companies had lower sales revenue and eight percent of companies saw no change in sales levels. 

 

The 4th Quarter 2012 Pulse of the Industry Report is a benefit of FPA membership and is available in the Members Only section of www.flexpack.org. For more information on the Pulse of the Industry Report, and the association’s other benchmarking reports including the Compensation Report, the Earnings Report, and the Operating Ratios Report, contact Bob Zaborowski, director, Business and Economic Research, at (410) 694-0800 or bzaborowski@flexpack.org.