We've updated our annual pipe, profile and tubing extruders ranking of North America plastic processors for the 2023 fiscal year end; 189 firms are ranked, totaling $32 billion.
The results show an overall decline in total related sales of 1.7 percent. That's $556 million when comparing these same companies year over year. The trend sent the average sales per company down 3.8 percent to $169.3 million.
There are a few important caveats worth noting. First, small percentage decreases from large companies add up to big dollars. Specifically, 14 of the top 25 represent the bulk of that decline.
Next is raw material pricing. The top three resins each saw prices drop significantly in 2023. PVC, polyethylene and polypropylene prices were down 30, 23 and 33 percent, respectively. For commodity pipe, most passed along a percentage of that in their selling prices, and it showed in the sales totals.
Finally, market diversity played a huge role. End market-exclusive manufacturers were more affected by subtle shifts in demand, both up and down. Automotive saw an average 12 percent gain, while window and door makers were down 3 percent.
I frequently get asked how we gather our data. Suppliers, processors and financial firms all look to the Plastics News special reports to find out who the players are and the size of the market. For our rankings, we send out surveys to our list of processors and aggregate the results, filling in the nonresponders with data from public filings and our own independent research.