In the April Numbers that Matter Live, Bill Wood talked about the impact of the NPE trade show on the North American plastics industry. Recording below.
NPE2024 will take place May 6-10 in Orlando, Fla. This will be the first NPE since 2018 since the show is on a three-year cycle, and the 2021 event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wood said the industry missed out on a big marketing opportunity when the 2021 show was canceled, but perhaps more importantly an education event and an opportunity for people to network in person.
“It’s just a way to gather a lot of information, talk to people, people who might be able to point you in a direction or add just a little bit of color or texture or commentary to your situation. That to me is the real purpose of these in-person meetings and gatherings and huge events,” Wood said.
The machinery sector tends to see a bump at NPE, Wood said, in part because companies finalize and announce big projects at the show. He added that other factors — including the overall economy and plastics capacity utilization rates — also have a big impact.
“The show is not impervious to the to the economic environment,” said Wood, who is PN’s economics editor.
On the economy, Wood said high inflation and high interest rates are hurting plastics manufacturing and residential construction.
The next Numbers That Matter Live is scheduled for June 25. Meanwhile, watch for Numbers Matter Shorts.