For packaging machinery, there’s simply nothing as big as interpack.

It doesn’t even happen every other year. By the time it does open its doors again, you can expect significant announcements by exhibitors—and for packaging machine specifiers from all over the world to attend.

So, why aren’t more of North America’s 500+ packaging systems providers better represented at interpack? Or for that matter at EXPO PACK Mexico or Interphex Puerto Rico?

The short answer is that the Europeans are export driven and we aren’t. It’s common knowledge that Germany and Italy export 80% of the machines they build. And despite the dollar dropping into an abyss against the euro, imports of European machinery to the U.S. continue to grow.

It’s late to make plans for exhibiting at this year’s interpack, but in a guest editorial, ELAU’s (interpack Hall 5, Stand D19) global marketing manager offers suggestions and available resources for developing a viable export presence in Europe – and a strong recommendation to buy a plane ticket and see the new technologies that will be introduced there firsthand.

Read the whole article.