Canadian Packaging Machinery Market Research Report - PMMI

Equipment purchasers expressed the following overall opinions about the various
countries:
• Germany was believed to produce the best packaging machinery by virtually all
respondents in all industry sectors surveyed. All but one rated German
equipment as “Excellent” or “Good”. This rating was based on perceived high
quality, strong technology, reliability, speed and flexibility.
• Similar attitudes were expressed regarding Swiss packaging machinery but fewer
respondents had direct experience with equipment from this country.
• Very positive attitudes, but somewhat lower than those for Germany, were also
expressed about packaging machinery from Italy, France and Britain. Many
expressed the opinion that Italian packaging machinery was equivalent to that of
Germany and some industries prefer it. The relatively high ratings given to British
and French packaging machinery may be partially attributable to Canada’s
historic ties with these countries. However, a few respondents downgraded the
ratings of these countries based on concerns related to quality, technology and
reliability.
• Japanese equipment was also generally viewed positively, although a significant
portion of respondents felt it was only “Average”. Japan’s overall rating was
reduced by the perception that these firms provided rather poor service.
• The overall opinion of packaging machinery from the United States was
reasonably good, although it was ranked below Germany and Switzerland. The
majority of respondents gave it a “Good” overall rating, although a significant
portion felt that it was only “Average”. In relation to Germany, American
machinery was perceived to be of somewhat lower quality, less technologically
advanced and less adaptable.
• Canadian packaging machinery attained a rating similar to that of United States
suppliers and, in some instances, slightly higher. They were felt to be more
responsive and better attuned to market need. However, it must be recognized
that the complete range of packaging machinery is not available from domestic
manufacturers.
Quality and Technology
It is the perception of quality and technology that drive the high overall ratings
achieved by German and Swiss packaging machinery.
• Almost three-quarters of the respondents felt that the quality of German
equipment is “Excellent” while more than half believed that this country offered
up-to-date technology that is “Excellent”. It was believed that German equipment
was particularly reliable, flexible and fast with relatively little down time.
• The ratings given to the Swiss were virtually identical to those of the Germans.
• Although quality and technology were also rated reasonably high for British,
French and Italian machinery, they were perceived to be distinctly lower than the
German or Swiss products. The ratings for these three countries were drawn
down by a number of customers who felt their performance in these areas was
only “Average” and by a few who criticized their performance. This criticism
related to reliability and flexibility.
SMG/Columbia Consulting Group Page 20