LETTER FROM THE COUNCIL
Welcome to the fourth year of Tube News! We are still the only publication dedicated to the tube industry and to those who support all involved.
Last year, we saw Europe produce more than 10 billion tubes. North America came in a close second with more than 8 billion, right on track with the anticipated high consumer spending of an election year.
The year 2007 offered a great deal of change in the industry. One-piece tube formation, solid heads, and new colors are just a few of the standard items that were once unheard of and are now easier to order and receive.
One of our oldest members, Montebello, opened a new laminate plant; council member World Wide Packaging has introduced a new slant-nose small tube; and Alcan/Cebal has restructured to deliver product faster and better.
New machinery by PackSys Global and Combitool has allowed manufac- turers to expand quickly and integrate with all other lines to provide seamless compatibility. And our oldest members, SS Studios and Dixie Graphics, are working with digital plates that make tubes look like pictures.
All 14 North American tube manufacturers have tooled up to help the needs and demands of the market, so that instead of bowing to foreign competition we partner and learn how to help the purchaser be the best-informed buyer. Increasing speed to market, using more green materials, and hitting delivery times are challenges we all face.
We are in our 71st year of being the voice of the tube industry. This year we will be at three trade shows to promote the tube as the package of choice, hold the Tube of the Year awards, and still maintain the only Web site for North American members, www.tube.org. We’ve come a long way from tin and toothpaste.
Please enjoy the issue, use a tube today, and feel free to contact us with anything pertaining to tubes!
