Berry execs talk consolidation, shifting priority sectors

The company is “rationalizing” 15 facilities across the world — and more could be affected — to boost efficiencies and productivity.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 8, 2023

Ball’s beverage can shipments decline amid weaker consumer spending

Executives said Ball will continue to take downtime at facilities in Q2, and it’s moving forward to close a plant in Wallkill, New York. The coming summer months and new products offer some reasons for optimism, though.

By Maria Rachal • May 5, 2023

WestRock sees ‘unprecedented drop in volumes,’ will continue closing inefficient facilities

Streamlining measures are helping to “successfully navigate this slower demand environment,” said CEO David Sewell.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 4, 2023

Sealed Air rebrands as SEE, emphasizing automation and digital solutions

The announcement came as the global packaging company reported results from a “tough quarter” but outlined 2027 growth plans on multiple fronts, including through its recently finalized Liquibox acquisition.

By Maria Rachal • May 4, 2023

Federal Reserve hikes main rate while ‘highly attentive to inflation risks’

It raised the main interest rate by a quarter percentage point and suggested that in the future it may pause its most aggressive monetary policy in four decades, depending on incoming data on inflation and other factors.

By Jim Tyson • May 4, 2023

Amcor plans further labor cuts as weak demand and destocking persist

The company lacks optimism that market challenges will abate in the near term. Executives foresee volume weakness during what is typically the seasonally strongest quarter for the North American beverage business.

By Maria Rachal • May 3, 2023

Graphic Packaging touts diverse end market portfolio, launches Chick-fil-A insulated fiber cups

Executives lauded gains in the face of challenging Q1 fiber demand, while announcing a new partnership for insulated, double-walled fiber cups to displace plastic foam.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 2, 2023

Sonoco reports food packaging sales helped balance weak quarter for aerosols

“We are cautiously optimistic about the remainder of the year,” CFO Rob Dillard said on a Tuesday earnings call, as the company raised aspects of its full-year guidance.

By Maria Rachal • May 2, 2023

How packaging manufacturers fared in Q1

Follow what top companies said in quarterly earnings reports about consolidation efforts, consumer demand and projections for the rest of 2023.

By Packaging Dive Staff • Updated May 10, 2023

International Paper earnings down as March brought ‘surprise’ demand dropoff

The longer and deeper period of inventory destocking has taken a toll, but April has shown a notable uptick in box sales.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 28, 2023

Consumer confidence sinks, implying downturn to come

Weakening optimism among consumers, as measured by the Conference Board, coincides with a decline in credit.

By Jim Tyson • April 27, 2023

O-I Glass sees lower volumes in Q1 but raises 2023 earnings guidance

Higher selling prices helped overcome year-over-year sales volume declines, which O-I attributed in part to disruptive events, customer destocking and softer consumer demand in some areas.

By Maria Rachal • April 27, 2023

Crown reports sales growth in Americas Beverage, hopes for carbonated soft drinks uptick

Can volumes were down 2.5% amid inflation’s impact on consumers and economic slowdowns in some international markets, said CEO Tim Donahue. The company anticipates summer trends could boost drink sales soon.

By Maria Rachal • April 26, 2023

PCA misses earnings targets due to box demand ‘well below our expectations’

Despite indicators becoming “more negative as the months went on” related to containerboard demand, executives from Packaging Corporation of America said they’ve seen volumes turn around in April.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 25, 2023

Tracking packaging mergers and acquisitions in 2024

Berlin Packaging plans to acquire rigid packaging supplier Rixius, a longstanding German company. Safecor Health is also planning to acquire the unit dose packaging business of Viatris.

By Maria Rachal , Katie Pyzyk , Cole Rosengren • Updated Nov. 22, 2024

Early earnings indicators point to wrinkles in the wrappers

Bank of America and Zacks are among the firms that have noted Q1 challenges due to cost pressures, destocking and more. One big question is whether the slump will turn around this year or if it’s a harbinger of a recession.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 24, 2023

Colgate-Palmolive, Keurig Dr Pepper enhancing reuse efforts

While companies have worked on packaging reuse systems, some investors think more robust reporting could build momentum for action across the industry.

By Maria Rachal • April 17, 2023

Packaging M&A may be more measured, but still active, in year ahead

High interest rates and more consolidation may be limiting major deals, but the role of private equity and sustainability demand remain influential. Experts from Specright, Deutsche Bank and the Plastics Industry Association weigh in.

By Cole Rosengren • April 7, 2023

Greif buys majority stake in industrial packaging company Centurion Container for $145M

Greif hopes the deal stemming from a 2020 joint venture will “greatly expand” its North American presence and be a circular solution for intermediate bulk containers and plastic drums.

By Maria Rachal • April 4, 2023

Packaging companies announced US facility closures, at least 1,800 planned layoffs, in Q1

Ball, O-I Glass, Pactiv Evergreen, Sonoco and others are all trimming operations in multiple states.

By Maria Rachal • Updated March 30, 2023

5 factors influencing packaging design and operations

From navigating inflation and changing regulations to assessing the impact of automation and plastics M&A, these are some of the top industry trends to watch.

By Katie Pyzyk , Maria Rachal , Cole Rosengren • March 27, 2023

Billerud North America to get new president as it pursues regional growth

Kevin Kuznicki, previously deputy president and general counsel, will take the helm as the Swedish paper specialist looks to expand its U.S. business following the 2022 acquisition of Verso.

By Maria Rachal • March 27, 2023

Fed hikes main rate by quarter-point, notes ‘resilient’ banking system

The central bank tightened borrowing costs despite banking instability as inflation persists well above its 2% target.

By Jim Tyson • March 23, 2023

Sonoco reports ‘pivotal year’ of growth driven by consumer packaging demand and M&A

During a recent earnings call, CEO Howard Coker touted the importance of the company’s metal packaging acquisition — its largest ever — and why he thinks it “feels like we are in a recession.” 

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 13, 2023

WestRock notes global paper market headwinds but touts sustainability investments as growing opportunity

WestRock reported lower Q1 income and withdrew full-year guidance due to market uncertainty. CEO David Sewell said increased packaging revenue and a focus on plastic packaging replacement projects are positive signs, however.

By Megan Quinn • Feb. 2, 2023