In the midst of generally positive economic forecasts for 2003, exhibitors and attendees alike ponder what kind of CMM International 2003 they will experience April 14-17 at Chicago's McCormick Place. While few observers expect the converting industry's major 2003 show and conference to be the size of those CMM shows that took place in the 1990s, there are nevertheless deals to be made, equipment to be bought, and shopping to be done so that when the upturn begins, converters will be ready to upgrade, retrofit or even splurge on new lines.

"Our customers are looking for faster changeovers, more versatility and higher throughput for their value," says Rusty Elsner, president and CEO of Elsner Engineering Works Inc. (Booth #6925), Hanover, PA. "Items such as tool-less and electronic changeovers have greatly enhanced the flexibility of our equipment. More challenging substrates can now be run fully automatically, whereas with older technology this was not possible."

The Bobst Group (Booth #6408), Roseland, NJ, and Valmet Converting (Booth #5900) booths will be buzzing as customers discuss the advantages of the upcoming purchase of Valmet by Bobst from Metso of Finland. The $90-million deal, to be completed this quarter, is expected to strengthen Bobst's dominance in the manufacture of folding cartons, corrugated and flexible packaging. At press time the two companies were still planning separate booths.

Galileo Vacuum Systems (Booth #3445), East Granby, CT, is in the news lately with its slitter/rewinder line designed specifically for metallized films. Already a leader in high-barrier metallizing for food applications, the company in 2002 began in-house production of its MSR slitter in the same plant where the Gold metallizers are produced. According to the company, this allows a metallized roll to go virtually untouched until ready for shipment. "Although we are not in the slitting equipment business per se, we have developed a sound strategy of integration between our slitters and our metallizers," says CEO Pietro Profumo.

Shanks Converting Equipment Corp. (Booth #5918), Newark, NJ, is another slitter/rewinder supplier eagerly anticipating the CMM show. "Customers are looking to integrate components like perforators, printers and laminating stations into slitters," says Michael Pappas, president. "Prices are in general staying the same, but the capabilities and controls are far superior."

Unlike some other suppliers who will be exhibiting at the show, however, Pappas feels attendees will be shopping for new equipment, as opposed to retrofit ideas and upgrades for their existing lines. "For the most part, people go to the show looking for new equipment and ideas," he says. "Typically, retrofitting is a great idea on paper, but the true results are unknown and difficult to implement. Most companies prefer the reliability and performance of new machines to compete in today's market."

Exhibitor Windmoeller & Hoelscher (Booth #4513), Lincoln, RI, will be concentrating on wide-web printing. Last fall, W&H pulled out of Pack Expo Intl. in favor of a greater presence at CMM. According to a statement released by the company, "The decision was based on cost/benefit calculations and the fact that Pack Expo no longer relates strongly to Windmoeller & Hoelscher's primary North American printing press, multiwall paper sack and film-extrusion businesses. The cost savings resulting from non-participation in Pack Expo will be utilized to increase W&H's visibility at CMM Intl. and NPE, scheduled for April and June 2003, respectively." The pressmaker's Novoflex presses, which received several high-profile installations at prominent converter locations in 2002, will be among the products displayed.

Also among prominent pressmakers planning to exhibit at the show is Paper Converting Machine Corp. (PCMC, Booth #3402), Green Bay, WI. Known for an innovative exhibit strategy at past CMMs that included live, closed-circuit demonstrations of its massive presses and dryers from its headquarters plant, PCMC also has been in the news lately regarding its installation of a wide-web Avanti flexographic press at nearby Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, WI. The press cost to the college was reduced by PCMC, and represented a highly successful capital campaign that has resulted in FVTC's now boasting one of the most technologically advanced training pressrooms in the country.

Both by virtue of its standing as a top supplier to converting machinery makers through its Fife, Tid-land, and Magpowr divisions, and by its sheer size, Maxcess Intl. (Booth #5112), Oklahoma City, will be in a position once again to gauge the mood of show attendees, and the trends and products they've come to the event to investigate. Its exhibit will feature everything from shafts and slitter systems to load cells and other electronic components.

By the time spring rolls around in Chicago, last fall's Labelexpo Americas show will be a distant memory for converters. Those attendees whose press, prepress, coating and slitting interest lies in narrow-web applications will not be disappointed. CMM Events and FTA (Flexographic Technical Assn.) announced last fall a new Narrow Web Pavilion within the main show floor at CMM.

Consisting of 10 x 10 ft booths, the pavilion is intended to serve as a "one-stop-shopping" oasis within the show. "The new FTA Pavilion will provide narrow web suppliers [who are FTA members] with a cost-effective opportunity to participate in CMM and reach buyers they won't see at any other trade show," says Leo Nadolske, vp of CMM Events.

As recently announced, FTA's Narrow Web Council will present several analyses and case studies as part of the Technical Program, and its Consumer Product Council is scheduled to make a presentation during the Management Program. FTA members will also receive complimentary entrance to the exhibits and discounts on select conference sessions.

Editor's note: For a comprehensive updated list of CMM Intl. 2003 exhibitors, visit the official show Web site at www.cmmshow.com/fs.html and click on "Exhibitor List." At the same site, you can click on "Conference Program" to see an updated grid layout of the technical conferences by day and time. CMM management has announced that CMM conference session topics will continue to be added up until the show.