Don’t get us wrong: 2010 was a complex year. Despite a slow economy, we invented and sold three new semi-automatic wrappers. Our TTDF diefold wrapper was sold in three different configurations, including wrapping round and square items with and without heat sealing. Our Wrapster grew a larger edition to handle bigger boxes, as well as going smaller for small boxes. Our RB rotary bander squeaked out this month to wrap chocolate bars in paper with glue. Our Wrapster JR was designed and is ready for sale.

But it is late December and time for us to contemplate not only 2010 accomplishments but 2011, which we think will be a very busy one.

So what do we see?

• bigger bundles are in our future
• unique applications are in demand to automate current hand-wrap functions
• many more companies are caring about the implications of people’s hands touching products, especially food products. Safety is increasingly important.
• a lot more emphasis is being put on sustainability in packaging including reduction in packaging and efficiency of operations as it pertains to material and energy. Some are stressing how material reduction carries over into shipping cost reduction.

All of these affect companies’ competitive positioning. 2011 looks to be the year that many address their priorities.

We look forward to sharing 2011 with you.