U.S. shipments of packaging machinery decreased by 0.4 percent to $5.885 billion in 2008, the first decrease in seven years, according to the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute, Arlington, Va.
Export growth of 8.6 percent was tempered by a 2.5 percent drop in domestic shipments. PMMI’s annual state-of-the-industry report, released in September, is based on data supplied by PMMI member companies and other industry sources.
Domestic shipments of packaging machinery were $4.680 billion;exports totaled $1.2 billion. Imports also increased slightly, up 1.2 percent, with $1.7 billion in equipment entering the U.S.
Adding domestics and imports, PMMI figures U.S. demand for packaging machinery was down 1.2 percent in 2008, with domestic shipments and imports totaling $6.419 billion.
