InfoTrends (now Keypoint Intelligence with partner Buyer’s Lab) has completed research on the global packaging market’s use of software tools to enhance production of all printed packaging taking into account all relevant software segments. The market exceeded $1 billion worldwide in 2015, and that total is climbing steadily in all regions, according to InfoTrends. “Brand owners and packaging converters together make the market for workflow software a dynamic one,” said Robert Leahey, Associate Director at InfoTrends and a senior advisor for the new research. “That’s so because of competition and also because some amazing workflow tools are available today,” Leahey added. “Suppliers of workflow software for packaging converting offer tools to both converters and brands to make the production of printed packaging faster, more economic and much more flexible.”
InfoTrends surveyed and interviewed over 300 companies worldwide, half converters and half brand owners, about both digital and analogue printing and converting, and about digital transformation of packaging management and production. Converters surveyed were split between label, flexible packaging, folding carton, and corrugated converters, while brand owners were split between food & beverage, pharmaceutical & medical, consumer goods & electronics, and health & beauty segments. In addition, senior staff at InfoTrends who focus on the workflow software market profiled key companies and workflow products, and also developed a detailed market forecast through 2019 for different types of workflow tools for packaging converting – from digital asset management, to production workflow, to web-to-print, to print controllers and RIPs, and other segments.
“There’s a lot going on in terms of workflow for packaging,” Leahey explained, “and a big future for tools that enhance it.” As evidence, he cited the trend among brands in all regions to order packaging more frequently and in smaller amounts, to customize marketing and make operations more efficient – in turn making workflow more challenging. Digital printing is also a factor, he said, describing it as well established in label converting and just starting in folding cartons, flexible packaging and corrugated. “Timeliness is a goal for all brands and all converters, and one digital printing helps them achieve that, especially when it’s part of an efficient workflow,” he added.
In this new research, InfoTrends provides insights into where the packaging workflow software market is heading, and why, and to thus help clients prepare and benefit from the emerging digital opportunities. For more information on The Future of Digital Packaging Workflows, please contact InfoTrends’ Donna O’Malley, Associate Director, Marketing, at donna.omalley@infotrends.com.
The Future of Digital Packaging Workflows study released
