In England, a thousand years ago (OK, in the Eighties), I had a friend who climbed mountains. Big ones with snow on top. All the photos on his desk could have been anyone, a wind-burnt face hidden behind an oxygen mask and mirrored goggles.
One night over dinner I asked him how he could dedicate so much time to this hobby and he told me the climbing was the easy part, it was all the preparation, the gear, itinerary, permits, and supplies, that took the time and effort. I’ve been thinking about him recently.
Our company does research in the label and packaging industry, we always have one or two significant projects on the burner for associations like TLMI, FINAT, PRIMIR, NAPIM or others, and then there’s commissioned work for individual clients; a new product entry, customer surveys, or strategic market analysis, but every so often we get our teeth into a piece where the prep work takes longer and is a more challenging.
Currently we’re in the middle of The TLMI Labelstock Trends Report and before a single questionnaire was sent out or interview scheduled we knew we needed to get together with an advisory group of TLMI suppliers and converters to define the precise scope of the work.
When you’re going to have 160 or so of North America’s leading label converters in a metaphorical room and ready to answer your questions you’d better make the most of the opportunity. We are planning to provide an in-depth analysis of the market for label materials and adhesives in the U.S. and Canada, but we also want to deliver a genuinely useful benchmarking tool and some unique insights about specific labelstock types, recycling trends, decoration formats and opportunity areas.
This is an unprecedented effort, developed, as mentioned, with the detailed input of more than a dozen leading players up front to ensure that the questions being asked and the information we collect and share will be of real and significant value to TLMI members.
Right now the route to the summit has been mapped out, our equipment has been carefully tested, and the questions are being asked (and answered) in label companies throughout North America. If you’re taking part in this effort, we thank you. Soon we’ll be heading out into the unmarked snow of results and analysis. We’re really looking forward to sharing the conclusions and implications of this expedition.
All the best,