2021 Executive Forecast:

On the importance of industry collaboration

Source: FPA 2020 State of the Industry Report. Courtesy of FPA

Breakdown of Types of Films & Resins Used by Converters

Converters Material Purchases

We will continue to evaluate and improve upon the flexibility and responsiveness of the entire supply chain. Operationally, we will continue to keep the safety measures in place that are there to protect our employees’ health and safety amidst the COVID pandemic.

Responsive and accurate forecasting has always been a priority for our business. During the pandemic, we increased the frequency of customer check-ins, which delivered accelerated updates to forecasts — daily in some cases — better monitoring of marketplace activity and an enhanced ability to quickly make needed adjustments in our operations so that our customers could reliably get their brands to the shelf. These process improvements will continue to be a focus for us as we move forward. We believe our response during the pandemic — our ability to collaborate with and continue serving our customers — differentiates Amcor as a trusted partner and will strengthen customer confidence in our ongoing ability to meet their packaging needs.

2020 has been an unprecedented year for us all. HP Indigo has focused its efforts on managing the wellbeing of our partners, customers and their families with urgency and a deep sense of care. On reflection, despite initial uncertainty, it has been brilliant to see how the industrial businesses have adapted and evolved to bring a sense of hope and positivity to the industry.

On the subject of communication between us, an OEM and our customers, there will be important changes that will influence the future. Trade show cancellations have reduced our ability to communicate. Our solution was to implement — and globally be the first ones in our industry — an innovative form of communication based on live events broadcast globally. The format named “Nordmeccanica Events” has already generated three episodes, now available in download streaming, where we demonstrate live: machine operations, technical innovations and news. It was a small revolution, an actual show that allowed customers to attend conveniently while staying home or at their office. At zero cost to our guest, it gives us the ability to show them our machines and technological innovations to the full extent. We have an audience in the thousands between the guests who attend live and those who attend in download streaming — a way larger number than one we can target during trade shows that remain very expansive to visitors.

Our extensive raw material supply portfolio and global manufacturing footprint supports essential businesses, and these areas of focus required us to work very closely with our customers and suppliers. Communication of our requirements to suppliers has been elevated to an even greater level of frequency, almost a daily basis, to ensure our demand plan is understood for all product lines globally. We have also been working closely with our customers to understand their expected volumes along with the changing dynamics of their customer base. Constant communication has been critical as we work through these challenging times. Additionally, we took the necessary precautions at all our locations to help prevent the spread of the virus and to ensure the continued health and safety of Sun Chemical employees. Sun Chemical’s Environmental Health and Safety department has been committed to working tirelessly to assist the labs, factories and remote work force to achieve compliance and ensure the safety of our staff. Where it made sense to do so, we closed some of our offices and provided the tools and safety guidance to those working remotely. These types of efforts will continue regardless of the situation. COVID-19 also affected all players in the global supply chain, including over-the-road carriers, ocean freight carriers, and warehouse and distribution center providers, among others. Frequent communication and data sharing remain critical and will remain critical into 2021, in order for our fully integrated supply chain to be effective to meet customer demand, volumes and requirements.

See what the Executives Say

Use the arrows to continue to the next section, or click on a theme below:

On 2020 overall/challenges

On trends impacting the industry/customer trends and opportunities

On the importance of industry collaboration

On the impact of e-commerce

On the consumer shift to sustainability

On trends/challenges/opportunities in 2021

Cover and feature illustrations by FORGEM / iStock via Getty Images Plus and Antikwar / iStock via Getty Images Plus