Canadian Packaging Machinery Market Research Report - PMMI

4. Future Packaging Machinery Plans (next 3 years):
FPI is attempting to source machinery to handle high-speed individual portion
packaging.
5. Key Factors in Purchase Decisions:
FPI considers all factors to be important in the purchase decision but the relative
importance varies with circumstances. However, in general, the most important are
usually:
Factor Ranking
(1 = Most
Important)
Price 1
Equipment Characteristics & Features (e.g. flexibility, 2
speed, capacity, unique features, etc.)
Potential Operating Cost Savings/Added Value/Pay- 3
back
Quality/Reliability/Durability 4
Up-to-date Technology 5
Brand/Supplier Reputation 6
6. Attitudes Toward Suppliers:
FPI has limited experience with a range of countries that produce packaging
machinery and has found little to differentiate those with which it has dealt.
7. Purchasing Policies and Financial Arrangements:
FPI utilizes an annual capital budgeting process in which all purchases must attain a
target rate of return unless there are extenuating circumstances such as safety or
ergonomics.
The company buys both direct and through distributors. It generally buys individual
pieces of machinery rather than turnkey situations, although this will depend upon
circumstances. For example, the planned high-speed line will require tandem units.
8. Purchasing Issues:
Have not been able to determine an appropriate source for high-speed individual
portion packaging machinery.
9. Trade Show Attendance/Trade Publication Information:
Attends PACK EXPO every two or three years.
10. Specific Interests:
High speed individual portion packaging machinery.
SMG/Columbia Consulting Group Page 62