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For Immediate Release: April 12, 2010
Contact: Cory Churches (202) 482-3809
Commerce Department Releases Report on Improving Competitiveness Through Sustainability in the Packaging Machinery Industry
GREENVILLE, S.C. – A report issued today by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) identifies strategies and best practices for U.S. packaging machinery manufacturers to improve their global competitiveness, better positioning them to create jobs and help grow the economy. ITA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing Peter Perez highlighted results of the study, Packaging Machinery: Sustainability and Competitiveness, during remarks at the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute annual meeting in Greenville, S.C.
“Packaging is essential infrastructure for our modern manufacturing economy—many business operations would be impossible without it,” said Perez. “Packaging machinery manufacturers provide crucial technology for a large and increasingly globalized packaging supply chain.”
The global market for packaging equipment is estimated to be nearly $25 billion, and end-users range from producers of consumer goods and grocery products to pharmaceuticals and consumer electronics. Manufacturers of packaging machinery support nearly 19,000 high-paying American jobs, which help to achieve the goals of President Obama’s National Export Initiative.
Three forces driving the packaging supply chain toward greater sustainability include cost reduction, consumer attitudes, and regulation, all of which represent opportunities for companies in the packaging supply chain to recapture value and become more globally competitive by reducing costs and waste associated with the packaging process.
The new reportincludes case studies from five manufacturers who illustrate their success in developing significant sustainability programs that have made them more competitive. The companies represent annual sales ranging from $1.5 million to nearly $900 million.
Part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Sustainable Manufacturing Initiative Sector Focus Study Series, the report is designed to inform stakeholders about challenges, best practices, and opportunities in sustainable manufacturing that can help them grow, create jobs, and support the U.S. economy. To learn more about the department’s Sustainable Manufacturing Initiative, visit www.manufacturing.gov/sustainability.
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International Trade Administration
The International Trade Administration (ITA) is the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. ITA has 2,100 employees assisting U.S. exporters in more than 100 U.S. cities and 77 countries worldwide. For more information on ITA visit www.trade.gov.
The International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, manages this global trade site to provide access to ITA information on promoting trade and investment, strengthening the competitiveness of U.S. industry, and ensuring fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein. This site contains PDF documents. A PDF reader is available from Adobe Systems Incorporated.