Food anufacturers seek to improve efficiency and productivity in their facilities in the face of price pressure from an increasingly concentrated food retail sector, according to Global Trends Impacting the Market for Packaging Machinery 2018. Produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, the report indicates that manufacturers want to work closely with machinery suppliers to develop increased flexibility and cost reduction in order to deliver new package formats at lower costs. 

Pack Expo East, being held April 16–18 in Philadelphia, offers an opportunity to explore the latest packaging technologies to improve operations on a more personable scale. 


The regional event, produced by PMMI, is expected to host 6,000 attendees along with 400 suppliers of advanced packaging equipment, automation, robotics and controls, over 200 of which will showcase technologies and innovations specifically for baking and snack manufacturers. Pack Expo East offers ample opportunities for attendees to explore new package designs, cutting-edge machinery technology and automation solutions to meet packing trends, consumer demands and their business goals.

The Reusable Packaging Pavilion, sponsored by the Reusable Packaging Association (RPA), is a hotspot for waste reduction, as well as cost-cutting solutions and supply chain efficiency. The pavilion provides a single destination where leading companies will showcase the latest reusable packaging innovations for sustainable business operations. Reusable transport packaging products and services also will be on display.

In-booth product demos and education are a main attraction of the PACK EXPO East show floor, offering an opportunity for attendees to make better purchasing decisions after getting to know suppliers and their products in-depth and in-person.

Pack Expo East provides attendees access to free educational programming during the show at The Innovation Stage — an opportunity to have a seat, hear from industry experts and learn something new. Each 30-minute seminar presents breakthrough technologies and techniques focused on a wide-range of industry-specific solutions.

In addition to The Innovation Stage, the show will debut a new educational experience — The Forum.  Attendees can participate in unique, interactive presentations at the show and walk away with new solutions and ideas to bring back to their team. The Forum will feature 20-minute open sessions on the latest industry trends by the OpX Leadership Network, Institute of Packaging Professionals, Contract Packagers Association and PMMI Business Intelligence, followed by small group discussions and Q&A.

The Innovation Stage and The Forum are not the only educational opportunities at the show. Two of PMMI’s most popular training workshops also are being offered in Philadelphia, allowing attendees to make even more out of their trip.

PMMI U’s Risk Assessment Workshop convenes on April 14–15, just days before the show floor opens. This workshop prepares attendees to conduct successful risk assessments to meet international safety requirements. 

PMMI U’s Certified Trainer Workshop will take place while the show floor is open, April 16–17. Attendees will become effective and successful trainers with this leading train-the-trainer program for the industry. 

Furthermore, Pack Expo East will feature the first-ever regional meeting of PMMI’s Packaging and Processing Women’s Leadership Network on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. All women in manufacturing are encouraged to register for this meeting to hear from Diane Wilhelm, chief engineer advanced manufacturing, Harley-Davidson Motor Co., where she will explain how to leverage your own self-power from the inside out by using her military career as an example of how to succeed in a male-dominated field. 

Attendees of this inaugural event will also hear from Debra Zabloudil, president and CEO, The Learning Studio, Inc., in her workshop, “Pitching It Up and Selling It Sideways.” Whether communicating with a colleague, your boss or a customer, this session will help you know how to sell an idea, get buy-in and take the germ of an idea from conception to execution.

Another well-received Pack Expo feature making its first appearance is The Pack Expo Drone Demo — Packaging for the Last Mile by Workhorse. Attendees can watch drones take off from atop electric trucks and make deliveries to mock houses populating the 2,400-square-feet exhibit space. Cameras mounted onto the drones will show the unique drone delivery perspective as part of the interactive display. Scheduled for presentations on the hour, the entirely unmanned drones and electric trucks will bring to life an automated package distribution system that is faster and more efficient than any other.

For complete details on all the offerings of Pack Expo East 2018 and to register for the show, visit packexpoeast.com