Packaging machinery shipments soared to $6.110 billion in 2006, a six percent increase from the $5.765 billion in equipment shipped in 2005, according to the 2007 Shipments and Outlook Study from the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI, Arlington, Va.).
PMMI said 2006 marked the fifth consecutive year of industry growth since 2001.
Sixteen of the 17 machinery categories that PMMI monitors in this annual report experienced growth in 2006. Two categories – wrapping (+18.6 percent) and capping and overcapping, lidding and sealing machinery (+11.2 percent) – had double-digit growth. Converting machinery was the only machinery category with a modest decline of -0.6 percent, according to the trade association.
In addition, exports of packaging machinery surpassed the $1 billion mark for the third consecutive year, with $1.012 billion in equipment sold overseas, an increase of 0.5%.
U.S. domestic demand, including domestic shipments and import figures, increased by 8.4 percent, to $6.637 billion in sales. Domestic shipments were up 7.2 percent, to $5.098 billion, and imports were up 12.6 percent, with $1.539 billion in sales.
