Economic Reports

Quarterly Economic Outlook: Planning for 2nd Quarter 2016, published by PMMI – The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, examines near-term economic conditions for packaging and processing markets using ITR Economics indices, 12-month moving averages and leading indicators through early 2016. The analysis indicates a divergence between a soft industrial side—notably mining and utilities—and stronger consumer-facing segments such as personal care and food, with sectoral focus areas on production trends, supply-chain and pricing pressures, and capital and workforce planning. Regional benchmarks compare North America, Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America, and charts highlight emerging patterns that tend to inform tactical management objectives. The report reveals where packaging and processing leaders are prioritizing investments to strengthen operational resilience.

1st Quarter 2016 Purchasing Index, published by PMMI – The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, examines U.S. end‑user plans for packaging machinery investments and market momentum based on an online survey of domestic decision‑makers conducted in late 2015. Focus areas include comparative segment performance and benchmarking across food and beverage, personal care, and pharmaceuticals; business‑condition drivers that shape purchasing decisions; and project timing and investment priorities such as scheduled projects and aftermarket needs. The analysis indicates broad expansion tendencies across segments, with emerging patterns showing variation in pace by market; charts highlight cross‑segment comparisons and project status trends. The report reveals where engineering teams are prioritizing investments to strengthen operational resilience.

Quarterly Economic Outlook — Planning for 1st Quarter 2016, published by PMMI – The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, examines near-term macroeconomic and sectoral trends using ITR Economics industry production indexes, leading indicators and order data across North America, Europe, Latin America and Southeast Asia, providing benchmark context. The analysis indicates slowing but uneven growth across consumer, chemical and durable-goods segments and highlights focus areas including demand and regional production dynamics (from US consumer-led activity to China-linked export pressure), input-cost and commodity impacts on margins, and preparedness spanning inventory, capital allocation and distribution. Charts highlight cyclical-phase comparisons and emerging patterns that tend to favor investment. The report reveals where engineering teams are prioritizing investments to strengthen operational resilience.