Package Industry News

 

At BMG, we like to share, be it our perspective on the thermoforming world, technology tips that will help the masses, or just some insight into the days and lives of our employees. Take a moment every quarter to see what we are up to and see if you don’t gather some interesting or entertaining content that will help you better understand who BMG is and what we stand for. 

 

 

 

 

Every year at this time, we like to take a moment to look back at what we have accomplished, technologies we have improved, and relationships we have fostered. It’s not enough to just do; we need to grow, improve, and lead our partners into successful situations with everything we can bring to bear on the market and its conditions.

 

BMG has always believed that it’s not enough just to succeed; a true leader must ensure that they are creating advantages for their customers that will allow them to rise above. Sometimes, they need to lend a helping hand to assist them with technologies that others may have promised but can no longer deliver.

 

This was the case with a new partner who was expecting delivery of new technology from an existing supplier. Unfortunately, that supplier was unable to deliver, so BMG stepped in, altered production cycles, re-engineered solutions, manufactured on very tight schedules at every level, and delivered over a half dozen (nine to be exact) new thermoforming platforms on time to keep this new client on track and pointed in the right direction as they headed into 2025.

 

Sometimes, success is predicated on the ability to control outcomes more efficiently and across all levels of execution. This particular process functionality has been on BMG’s radar for a few years, and in 2024, our new UI has taken us even closer to an outcome where AI will be at a level of development where its utilization is advantageous for implementation across all OEM and Non-OEM technologies by its insertion with our new NextGen control technologies that roll out later in 2025 & 2026. This new user interface was utilized on over 20 installations in 2024 and has increased performance and will perform well beyond all expectations and across multiple platforms once AI is initiated later this year.

 

In 2024, BMG also successfully collaborated on large-scale automation solutions with existing and new clients. These partnerships allowed for the design of cutting-edge advanced controls and the integration of our new user interface (UI) to optimize performance in real-time automation processes, both internal and external, on several production lines and many different end-of-arm solutions.

 

On the subject of service, one of BMG’s most significant accomplishments realized in 2024 was to improve client access to our worldwide inventory of OEM and non-OEM parts. To date, we have put in market the most parts and wear items, specifically non-OEM replacement parts, ever in the company's history. We like to tell our partners that if you need it, we have it; if we don’t, we will engineer and make it. It’s all about keeping our clients up and running 24/7/365. This promise to create and make parts when necessary has driven a 30% increase in Non-OEM parts distribution throughout last year. As we migrate into 2025, we also see a need to increase inventories worldwide in anticipation of elevated needs due to other supplier shortages. 

 

As part of our newly reorganized client service model, we have created and filled a new service manager position that has a global reach and oversight responsibility to guarantee we have the necessary qualified technicians available around the clock to service whatever our clients might need assistance with anywhere around the world. And that's for OEM and Non-OEM customer needs.

 

As we roll into the new year, we see incredible AI development on the horizon that will impact the industry with the ability to include machine learning in its processes. As interactive technologies begin to augment the adjustment processes and specific wear indications can be automated for service actuation, we do not see a limit to its utilization in improving production models. This will indeed lead the way into Shaping NEXT for BMG and its clients in 2025.

 

At BMG, our goal has always been to be a lasting partner you can rely on for industry-leading innovative packaging solutions. We will continue to engineer breakthrough thermoforming technologies, AI interfaces, and advanced end-of-line automation; we are committed to helping clients stay ahead of the curve in a competitive and ever-evolving marketplace.

 

Thank you for your continued partnership. We look forward to working with you in 2025 and beyond.

 

Sincerely,

Jake Kowalewski

CCO, CIO, BMG

 

 

Kari is a naturally inquisitive explorer of things who enjoys the adventures of rock hunting with her husband or, as it is referred to by doers, “Rockhounding.” She loves the fine art of camping and the intriguing aspects of searching out the most unusual rock formations and individual examples of unique agates while on her excursions. She enjoys everything that her home state of Michigan has to offer and hopes to plan her next hounding adventure in the Upper Peninsula of the Spartan state. She is a lover of pizza, dogs, Supercross racing, and all things rocks, not to mention the Ohio State Buckeyes. Throughout her life, Kari’s mother has been an incredible inspiration and is a constant that helps to guide her to this day.

 

She loves her career at BMG and is looking forward to her 4-year anniversary this February. In her current capacity as a Senior Administrative Assistant in the sales department, she spends her days, as she puts it, doing anything and everything she can to make the BMG experience as great as it can be. There are never any dull moments in her day, and loves the interaction she has with all the awesome people she gets to work with. 

 

 

Leonard is a homebody, a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy who loves the intrigue of automobiles and the mechanics that drive them. As a younger man, he had visions of being a race engine builder, but instead, he has found his opportunity for success in being a parts acquisition specialist for the items necessary to build high-end BMG thermoforming machines. He has been a dog lover all of his life, and although he currently lives without the companionship of a four-legged friend, he still looks forward to the weekends when he can chase the little white balls around the golf course. He is a Michigan fan through and through, be it the Lions or the Wolverines; he is always at the ready to support his teams and had a pretty good year this time around being an avid fan. As part of that fandom, he plans a visit to the University of Michigan next year so that he can take a tour of the Ann Arbor campus, which will definitely include the football stadium.

 

Although early in his career at BMG, he has finally been afforded the opportunity to apply his degree to his professional life and really enjoys it. In his current capacity as a buyer, he looks at every day as an opportunity for growth and intrigue.

 

 

 

 

 

The Latin American packaging industry continues to grow rapidly as manufacturers expand and technologies become more cost-effective for acquisition. Global environmental awareness and regional government regulations are also reshaping the landscape. The demand for new technologies that offer sustainable solutions is influencing the plastics and thermoforming sectors like never before. We would like to explore key developments in Latin America’s plastics thermoforming and packaging sectors and the growing focus on sustainable manufacturing.

 

 

Latin America Thermoformed Plastic Market Size & Outlook

From our perspective, the thermoformed plastic market in Latin America is expected to reach a projected revenue of US$ 907.9 million by 2030. Coming in just shy of a billion dollars, this economy continues to expand as manufacturing continues to grow. With their sites set on a compound annual growth rate of 2.7% expected in the Latin America arena of the thermoformed plastic market from 2024 to 2030.

 

 

Mexico Thermoformed Plastic Market Size & Outlook

Mexico is considered the leader in this active growth market, and the thermoformed plastic market in Mexico is expected to reach a projected revenue of US $331.9 million by 2030, or one-third of the total projected market growth. Mexico leads the way with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2% expected for Mexico's thermoformed plastic market from 2024 to 2030.

 

The specific major growth verticals are defined as the automotive and medical sectors, and there is an increasing demand for plastic packaging in the food and beverage vertical. Automotive is driven by parts and packaging, while medical is driven by single-use devices and critical components. Food and beverage companies will realize a boost from e-commerce and consumer preference changes. Additionally, trade agreements like the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement are anticipated to affect trade flows, possibly further stimulating the plastics industry depending upon US tariffs yet to be implemented.

 

Brazil is expected to remain one of the larger producers of rubber and plastic products in the Latin American community and a leading force behind speculative growth. Despite its market position, however, the country is projected to experience sluggish growth between 2021 and 2030, particularly in the rubber products segment. Challenges such as political instability, supply chain disruptions, and structural bottlenecks are expected to impede the development of the manufacturing sector, thereby affecting the plastics industry.

Argentina is projected to experience a marked decline in rubber and plastic production through 2030. Ongoing economic crises and extremely high inflation rates are major factors undermining the country's plastics industry, leading to a contraction in production and future technological advancements. 

Conclusion

Although plastic thermoforming remains a significant part of the entire Latin American packaging industry, and its growth has improved markedly over the last decade, and trade tariffs have enjoyed a slight slowdown, new proposed tariffs and regulatory constraints may affect market growth over the next couple of years. The impact will be felt in economic development, supply chain disruptions, and operational challenges across the entire region. Wages, inflation, and currency fluctuations will all create pressure on an already fragile economy.

 

 

 

 

Keeping your eyes on the details can offer the best solutions.

It should be understood that material isn’t always guaranteed to remain in the “Pin Chain” mechanism while machines are in operation. If you are experiencing this within your process know that there are quite a few reasons why this could be happening. Here are just a few that you might consider checking out to see if our suggestions might help to solve your issues. If not, please contact us directly; one of our techs would be happy to help you solve your issues.

 

Probable Cause: Sometimes materials enter the machine slightly skewed for several reasons.

Corrective Action: Take a moment to restart the material into the feed portion of the machine and confirm the orientation is straight. If that doesn’t solve the issue, inspect your infeed guides to confirm they are set correctly.

 

Probable Cause: It is always a possibility that the sheet being fed is not fully pierced.

Corrective Action: Inspect and adjust the pierce wheels so that they fully pierce the sheet upon entry to the mechanism.

 

Probable Cause: Sometimes, through the normal course of operation, the drive sprockets become loosened.

Corrective Action: If, upon inspection, the drive sprocket is loose, it will tend to pull the sheet unevenly through the mechanism. Inspect the drive sprocket and adjust it according to the spec to ensure it is tight.

 

Probable Cause: Check that the tension on your index chain is equal on both sides.

Corrective Action: Adjust your index chain so the tension is equal on both sides of the thermoformer. 

 

Probable Cause: Upon inspection, is the Pin Chain in good workable condition?

Corrective Action: Inspect the chain for broken or bent pins. If chain pins are in bad condition, replace the entire chain on both sides.

 

Probable Cause: Is your plastic substrate temped correctly when entering the machine?

Corrective Action: If this is the case lower rail heater temperatures to slightly cool the plastic.

 

Probable Cause: Are your chain rails free and clear of debris?

Corrective Action: Inspect the chain rails per inspection criteria and clear any and all debris from the rails.

 

Probable Cause: Are you having any issues with your material sticking to the mold in the form station?

Corrective Action: Try these three actions to see if they have any effect: Cool the sheet down, confirm your air eject timing and/or pressure are correct, and check to verify your stripper timing with the tool being used.

 

 

 

Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center (Bao'an), PR China

No.1 Zhancheng Road, Fuhai Street, Bao'an District, Shenzhen.

 

Cobb Galleria Centre and Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia.

 

Targi Kielce, Zakladowa 1, 25-672 Kielce, Poland

 

Mexico City, Represented by our agent Grupo Janfrex

 

Guadalajara in Expo Guadalajara, Represented by our agent Grupo Janfrex

 

 

 

In an ever-changing and unpredictable global marketplace, BMG continues to create category-leading sustainable renewable thermoforming solutions, providing best-in-class engineering and manufacturing enhanced by unparalleled support — all provided to a worldwide market from our/your backyard!

 

If there is anything that you would like to see us address in our Tech Talk section in the next edition of Trade Trends, drop us a note here. We will certainly put your suggestion into action, and thank you in advance for helping us provide important information to those who find it useful.