The overall performance of the German folding carton industry in 2013 was good, with a production value of EUR 1.879 billion and a production volume of 850,530 tonnes. The changes over the previous year were only marginal at -0.6% in production value (2012 = EUR 1.890 billion) and -0.9% in production volume (2012 = 857,959 tonnes). The sales generated per kg of folding cartons produced stabilised at EUR 2.21, the upper end of the multiyear average and slightly higher than in the previous year.
Capacity utilisation increased slightly too. "We are delighted that the industry as a whole in Germany is so resilient and that the development in the ratio of sales to volume is particularly encouraging", stresses Steffen Schnizer, spokesman for the FFI executive committee and director of CD CARTONDRUCK GmbH.
PROCESS OF INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATION IS CONTINUING
The number of folding carton companies has been declining for years and this process continued in 2013. Company mergers are the main reason for this development. The proportion of the industry accounted for by the corporate members of Fachverband Faltschachtelindustrie e.V. (FFI) has remained consistent, however. They continue to represent three quarters of the production value and two thirds of the production volume of all folding carton manufacturers. To be specific, the corporate members of the FFI generated a production value of EUR 1.426 billion in 2013 (+2.9% over 2012) and manufactured a production volume of 576,342 tonnes (+2.2% over 2012). This means that the market share held by the corporate members of the FFI increased to 75.9% of the value of the industry as a whole and to 67.8% of the volume. "The large proportion of the industry accounted for by the FFI demonstrates how we as an association help our members to improve their competitive position. We see this as a commitment to go on publicising the importance of folding cartons as a packaging and sales medium", says Steffen Schnizer.
GERMANY HAS THE LEADING FOLDING CARTON INDUSTRY IN EUROPE
According to statistics compiled by the European Carton Makers Association (ECMA), Germany still has the leading folding carton industry in Europe, with a market share of just under 25%. It is followed by Italy and Great Britain with about 14% each and France with about 12%. No other country reaches double figures, while Turkey has overtaken Spain and now holds fifth place in Europe.
FFI AIMS TO IMPROVE COMPETITIVENESS
The FFI supports its members by providing them with many different products and services and helps them to improve their competitive position as a result. These products and services include the transfer of know-how and the development of better skills via events and seminars as well as guides, samples and checklists for the standardisation of business processes. One current example is the switch to a different system involving ordering and supplying an exact number of sheets of board, which is a crucial way to reduce working capital and to optimise the supply chain. The association also carries out intensive marketing activities, via which branded goods manufacturers, retailers and agencies are informed about the advantages of retail packaging made from board. "A recent representative survey reveals that packaging is a medium with a very broad reach that is an essential element of a modern marketing mix. There is still too little acknowledgement of the significant role it plays in brand development, brand loyalty and sales success", says Steffen Schnizer. As a strong and capable representative of the interests of the folding carton industry, the FFI will continue to contribute actively to debates in discussions with the political community and the authorities; plans for new regulations are one current example here.
www.ffi.de
