Forecast 2026 (CONT’D FROM PAGE 26)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
pockets on the part of the nation’s lenders. “Credit con- ditions have improved significantly for businesses,” said Basu. “Companies with strong balance sheets will find bankers very willing to supply debt. We also know that equity investors, including private equity, remain quite ag- gressive in supplying capital.” Housing Doldrums Speaking of lower interest rates, they can’t come soon enough for a major driver of the nation’s economic activity: the housing sector. “Housing is in a funk,” said Yaros. “Sin- gle-family homebuilders are contending with a growing supply of unsold, completed new homes, as well as great- er competition from the resale market and falling home prices in a rising number of regions.”
ARC INTERNATIONAL www.ARCInternational.com
ARC International is a world leader in the manufacturing of roller products for flexography. The latest nano-technology laser engraving in our NC and NV manufacturing facilities ensures superior quality and consistency in anilox rollers.
AES (ADVANCED EQUIPMENT SALES) www.aesales.net
AES is a leading full-service provider of integrated convey- ance systems specializing in scrap, trim, and dust. AES en- gineers custom scrap systems and works as a partner in process improvement to help businesses achieve greater profitability, productivity, and sustainability. Products include balers, shredders/hoggers, core shredders, filters, fans, and specialized dust control and collection systems. AES is the ex- clusive distributor for the AirShark Rotary Material Separator. For a wide variety of new and used equipment on to- day’s market, visit our website at www.acm-corp.com. BAUMER HHS CORPORATION www.baumerhhs.com hhs is a global leader in advanced gluing, camera verifica- tion and quality assurance systems for the packaging indus- try. Zero-defect quality and elevated production speeds are key parameters in the manufacturing of corrugated boxes. With hhs Xcam Box Monitoring and non-contact flap gluing of corrugated board, hhs offers every option for quality as- surance in the production of boxes with flexo folder gluers. AMERICAN CORRUGATED MACHINE www.acm-corp.com BLOWER APPLICATION COMPANY (BLOAPCO) www.BloApCo.com BloApCo has served the corrugated industry since 1933 with a variety of scrap handling solutions, including Hori- zontal Floor Shredders, Trim Cutters, and Material Handling Fans and Conveying Systems. BloApCo Shredders allow for continuous shredding and pneumatic removal of sheet waste stacks of all sizes, roll slab, cores, and carton scrap.
The high cost of money is not helping matters. “A signif- icant increase in interest rates since the summer of 2022 has increased the monthly payments required from buyers of new or existing homes,” said Petryk. “They have also led to a significant market shortage because families who bought homes three to five-plus years ago are loath to sur- render their sub-3 percent mortgages.” Mortgage rates have an important impact on the con- sumer attitudes that are vital drivers of the economy. While lower short-term rates may be coming from the Federal Reserve, it’s unclear how much effect they will have on the longer-term ones that apply to the funding of new homes. “I do not forecast mortgage rates coming down enough to make a big difference in single-family construction,” said Bill Conerly, Principal of his own consulting firm in Lake Oswego, Oregon (conerlyconsulting.com). Wary builders. Reluctant sellers. Sluggish buyers. It’s all having an effect on the housing market. Oxford Economics expects starts to fall by 4.3 percent in 2025 and decline by another 2.3 percent in 2026 after dropping by 3.5 per- cent in 2024. Prices for existing homes are expected to increase only 1.5 percent in 2025 and 2.3 percent in 2026 after rising by 4.4 percent in 2024. Concerned about the rising cost of living, consumers are cutting back on spending of all kinds. Their hesitancy affects the retail sector, which is an important driver and
CORRUGATED MACHINERY SPECIALISTS www.cmsretrofits.com
Leading manufacturer and installer of quality retrofits, up- grades and replacement parts for S&S and Prime Flexo Folder Gluers. Specialists in reconditioning of S&S Flexo Folder Gluers, including ink, air and electrical systems.
CORRUGATOR BELT SERVICE LLC www.corrugator.com
Serving the corrugated box industry since 1991, Chicago- based Corrugator Belt Service LLC maintains corru- gator belts for peak board quality and performance.
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www.boardconvertingnews.com
November 3, 2025
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