Press Contact Mexico:
Mónica Díaz Benítez, Marketing Manager
mdiaz@oprex.com.mx
mdiaz@ejkrause.com

Press Contact United States
Sara Kryder, PMMI Manager of Communications
E-mail

EXPO PACK MÉXICO EMERGES AS LEADING INTERNATIONAL EVENT FOR LATIN AMERICA

• EXPO PACK México 2006 draws 31,899 Packaging, Processing, Pharmaceutical and Converting Professionals
• The Packaging Week in Mexico gathers top professionals from 24 countries with packaging solutions exhibitors from 22 countries.

Arlington, VA, July 13, 2006 - EXPO PACK México 2006 became the most internationally-focused edition in the show’s 21-year history. According to the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI), owner and producer of the show, EXPO PACK México gathered 31,899 packaging professionals from 24 countries, with 743 exhibitors offering state-of-the-art packaging technology solutions from 22 countries.

The packaging sector in Mexico has played a significant role in the country’s economic development. Over $450 million in packaging equipment was shipped to all parts of Mexico to serve the growing marketplace.

Mexico ranks as one of the world's leading marketplaces for packaging materials as well. In 2005, 8.3 million tons of containers were manufactured in Mexico, representing $6.8 billion in production value.

EXPO PACK México took place June 27-30 at Centro Banamex in Mexico City. With two co-locations, Interphex’s pharmaceutical show and PROCESA’s food and beverage processing show, 805 exhibiting companies filled 28,000 square meters of space.

EXPO PACK México was further supported by leading trade associations and institutions, who sponsored eight international pavilions, including ADEPTA from France, AMEC ENVASGRAF from Spain, Fundación Export.Ar and Instituto Argentino del Envase from Argentina, Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA) from the US, and organizations from China and Taiwan. PMMI also hosted a pavilion featuring 50 US and Canadian based packaging machinery manufacturers.

In addition, several international banks participated in a Financial Pavilion, where financial representatives were available to provide buyers with information and acquisition options for machinery.

EXPO PACK México 2006 attendees represented a wide range of industries: food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics/personal care, among many others. Over 39% of the attendees were CEOs and key decision makers. Attendees represented buyers from Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Taiwan, United States and Venezuela.

PROCESA, the food and beverage processing show for Mexican and Central American end-users, was co-located with EXPO PACK México 2006. PROCESA featured 280 companies exhibiting the newest developments in processing machinery and technology. Exhibitors displayed state-of-the-art equipment in the fruit and vegetable, beverage, dairy, meat/poultry/seafood, frozen, and preserved foods industries.

Also co-locating with EXPO PACK México was Interphex, the premier show for the pharmaceutical industry. With all three expositions being simultaneously showcased, visitors were able to find solutions for every production line.

EXPO PACK México 2006 served as the foundation for The Packaging Week in Mexico, which included several events organized by the Mexican Packaging Association (AMEE), such as a comprehensive conference program, and the Best of Mexican Packaging Awards.

“EXPO PACK México has become a world class trade show, with an international participation and a scope that is now competitive with other prestigious events around the globe,” noted Charles D. Yuska, president of PMMI. “We are proud to announce that EXPO PACK México effectively and efficiently serves the viable Mexican and Central American marketplace,” added Yuska.

During this year’s event, Charles Yuska thanked Elena Maribona, Director of OPREX, for having the vision 21 years ago to create EXPO PACK and supporting PMMI’s efforts to create a truly world class event that serves the Latin American market.

Yuska announced that PMMI has retained E.J. Krause de Mexico to manage future EXPO PACK shows. E. J. Krause is a leading tradeshow producer and organizer.