With the launch of the Labels & Packaging section of WhatTheyThink now behind us, we wanted to give you a preview of upcoming topics and what to expect.

First, because our audience includes Brand Owners, Converters/Packaging Printers, Suppliers, and many other readers, the familiarity with Packaging is going to vary. A significant part of our vision is to educate and keep audience members informed regarding the state of the industry, significant events occurring in the industry, and trends or issues that may affect the industry. Our desire is to provide a communication link bridging the packaging supply chain, from the suppliers of equipment and raw materials, all the way to the retailers.

Our focus for the next 9-10 weeks will be discussing specific application segments within the packaging industry. These application segments will include corrugated packaging, folding carton, flexible packaging, labels, rigid containers, and glass packaging. Industry executives will provide inputs on the current state of their segment, opportunities and challenges affecting their segment, and their view on the future outlook. We are inviting suppliers and brand owners to provide feature articles discussing issues or opportunities they see specific to that application area, and how their industry is responding to the issues or needs.  

Following the series for packaging applications, we will turn to the retailers and brand owners to gain their input on future trends in retailing, consumer behavior, or packaging requirements that will affect the packaging industry. Topics we will explore will include sustainability, private labeling, the impact of social media on packaging, demand patterns, contract manufacturing and contract packaging, and sources of supply. We are inviting converters/package printers, contract packagers and contract manufacturers, and suppliers to provide feature articles on how the upstream changes at retailers and brand owners is impacting their business, and what their industry is doing to respond.

Next, we will turn to the suppliers of the packaging industry. What is happening with print and converting technology, what is happening with basic raw materials, pre-press supplies and equipment, software, and inks and coatings?

If you have additional thoughts or would like to add areas for exploration, or if you would like to be a author/contributor please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. We also invite press releases and industry news article to be sent to [email protected] to make sure they get placed in the news feed section of the site.