The plastics manufacturing industry is expected to grow moderately over this year, according to a survey that thermoformer Ray Products conducted in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Over 25,000 engineers, manufacturers, purchasers, administrators and product designers participated in the plastic industry survey. The survey, which Ray Products has conducted for three years, featured a range of questions about the participants’ plastics manufacturing projects and what their expectations would be for the coming year.
About 26% of participants expected to have more plastics manufacturing projects in 2017 and 21% expected to have fewer projects.
The survey also showed that thermoforming growth is steadily rising. Participants in a 2015 survey estimated that 21.9% of their plastics manufacturing projects were thermoforming-related. In 2016, 33.3% of projects were thermoforming-related. There is expected to be a 7.6% increase this year.
“I’m impressed with the knowledge of our survey takers. This year’s results show me that the entire molding industry is doing a better job of educating potential customers about what we offer,” said Brian Ray, president of Ray Products. “When medical device designers and engineers understand the advantages of thermoforming, we’re always a strong contender for their projects. I’ve personally seen a significant growth in that knowledge over the past few years, and our survey results back that up.”
Sheet metal use has continued to drop every year, according to the survey. Sheet metal use was at 57% in 2014 and dropped to 38% in 2016.
Vacuum forming has become increasingly popular in the span of two years, having doubled its usage numbers. Usage was at 55% in 2016, more than doubling from its 2015 usage of 27%.
Survey participants for the third year in a row indicated that quality is the most important factor when choosing a plastics manufacturer.
“Today, you often have to take a narrow perspective to see overseas manufacturing as a better deal. When most people step back and look at the whole picture, including time, effort, transportation costs and quality, domestic manufacturing increasingly comes out ahead. In my experience, medical device manufacturers are well aware of those factors,” Ray said.
Ray Products
rayplastics.com
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