Manufacturers ‘look forward to 2010′

More than half (63 per cent) of manufacturers in the packaging sector are optimistic about the new year, according to new research.

A survey by the site Food Production Daily has found that most are thinking of expanding production or upskilling existing employees.

However, the survey also revealed general concern about rising input prices – eight in ten (80 per cent) were worried about the impact of more costly raw materials.

Nearly 40 per cent said that they thought cash flow would continue to be a problem in 2010.

Despite this, just over half said they planned to expand production, with almost one in four planning to invest more into robotics production.

The environment remained on the agenda – more than half of packaging manufacturers were looking at cutting down the use of material in their products, while over two-thirds (67 per cent) said that they wanted to save water.

Cash flow remained the biggest barrier to wider uptake of green programmes.

Last week, the Office for National Statistics reported that input prices went up by nine per cent in the year leading up to November.

Typical Guttridge equipment used in the process systems, process engineering and manufacturing processes industry includes; heavy duty conveyors-industrial conveyors – belt conveyors

James Smith