Good sales forecast, but concerns about shortage of skilled labour and packaging law

Companies in the paper and film packaging industry are expecting higher profits and a slight increase in turnover this year. They complain about the shortage of skilled labour and implementation difficulties with the Packaging Act. These were the findings of the annual survey conducted by the Industrial Association for Paper and Film Packaging (IPV).

According to the survey, 80 per cent of the companies surveyed expect a Higher return on sales. 40 per cent expect sales to rise, while 20 per cent believe that sales will fall. And ten per cent of companies fear a general deterioration in the business situation. Many expect that there will be a general downturn in the paper sector. Price increase will exist. Wages too, Freight and transport costs will have a significant impact on costs in 2019.

30 per cent of companies are planning to hire

Effects on the Headcount The predicted business development is unlikely to have a negative impact on the economy. 60 per cent of companies intend to maintain their staffing levels, while 30 per cent are planning to recruit. However, they will be affected by the general Shortage of skilled labour is hindered, explains IPV Managing Director Karsten Hunger. 70 per cent of member companies complained of such problems. The lack of applications for training positions is particularly noticeable. A large number of companies are already no longer able to fill all available training places. Apprenticeships to fill, says Hunger. The industry is therefore also focussing on recruiting lateral entrants.

„For this reason, the association has launched a new training campaign and will be making targeted contact with careers counsellors at schools. The aim is to familiarise young people with the career opportunities as a media or packaging technologist.“

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The Wage and salary levels in the paper and film processing industry is good, however, according to the industry association. According to the association, gross monthly wages and salaries have increased. Main Association of Paper and Plastics Processing (HPV) increased by 2.4 per cent in the first half of 2018 compared to the same period of the previous year. Average gross wages and salaries in the sector totalled EUR 3,360.

Packaging Act: warning against too much bureaucracy

Of course, the new law that came into force at the beginning of the year Packaging Act topic among the member companies of the IPV. Karsten Hunger notes: „Even two months after the law was introduced, there is still a great deal of uncertainty and uncertainty within companies.“

Specifically, more than a third, namely 36 per cent of IPV companies, have problems with taking responsibility for the packaging quantity reports at Service packaging to take over. This is because in the case of service packaging, the „filler“ has the choice of carrying out the licensing themselves or delegating this to the retailer or upstream supplier. 24 per cent of companies are not yet completely satisfied with their dealings with the Central Agency Packaging Register. As a result, the IPV warns against excessive bureaucracy, which is particularly difficult to implement for small and medium-sized companies in the sector and leads to considerable additional work.

The IPV's annual industry survey

In the first month of each new year, the IPV publishes the results of its industry survey. The association speaks for companies that manufacture bags, pouches, carrier bags and vending machine rolls from paper, plastic and combinations of materials. Manufacturers of napkins and tablecloths made of cellulose and their suppliers are also represented.

You can find out more about the association on its website:
http://www.ipv-verpackung.de