PPMA president, Barry Tucker said: 'It is no secret that business conditions in the industry have been difficult, but the fact that a very large number of exhibitors report extensive discussions with whole project teams is a real shot in the arm.' Some 43 per cent of visitors sought labelling and coding equipment, while conveyers caught the interest of 40 per cent. Interest among attendees for bulk solids and powder handling equipment stood at 25 per cent.

'There is now no doubt that the PPMA Show has moved on from packaging machinery alone, and is demonstrating a clear role as the complete production line event,' said exhibition director, Barbara Jackson.