State of the Industry: Folding Cartons — Doing Well and Getting Better

Observing current trends in the folding carton market, it would be easy to consider this a market in trouble. True, mills in North America are closing. Capacity is declining or flat. Also true is that offshore producers are encroaching on territories traditionally dominated by North American packaging producers. Energy prices affect everyone, and consolidation is a continuing issue. But is it a market in trouble? Not for Joe -Elphick, president and CEO at Colonial Carton (Clayton, N.C.). His business has grown 20 percent this year. And, sales are up 30 percent at Mid-York Press, according to Robert Tenney, president and CEO. Ben Markens, president of the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) says, “We think the state of the folding carton market is strong. While it’s a very competitive situation for a lot of reasons, we’re optimistic about the state of the folding carton market.”