March 2006

Over 140 delegates attend cartons conference

Over 140 delegates attended the BPIF Cartons Conference on 28 February at Staverton Park, Daventry. Organised by Angel Business Communications the conference took as a theme "The threats to, and opportunities for the folding carton industry". The Conference sponsored by MAN, Heidelberg, KBA, bobst and Pro Carton, looked at issues such as overcapacity, the threat from the east and economic downturn, before turning its attention to the opportunities of technology, design and the east (near and far!) In spite of the 50 plant closures and the removal of 191000 tonnes of capacity in the last 5 years there were still overcapacity concerns. Speakers commented on the stability of the cost of folding box board, whereas the cost of cartons had fallen. Opportunities identified by speaker Tony Kenney were: Brand Protection (security), a move to shelf ready packaging and RFID.