Economic growth continues, and the slow pace will pick up mid-year, and continue accelerating in 2013, according to PMMI's "Quarterly Economic Outlook: Planning for 1st Quarter 2012."

The report describes the economy as realigning itself post-recession, and notes that businesses and the U.S. economy are on more secure footing today than at the time of the 2008 financial collapse. Data that point to upcoming economic expansion include:

 • Upward growth of the U.S. Leading Indicator.

 • The Purchasing Managers Index has dropped, but still is above the midpoint of 50 — a growth indicator.
 
 • Nondefense Capital Goods New Orders (without aircraft) is expanding, but slower than a year ago.

 • Retail Sales slowed in the last half of 2011, but remain positive, showing 2.4 percent growth above the year earlier.

 • Corporate bond prices, money supply and stock prices are all rising.

The report also analyzes six important market segments: Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices; Personal Care; Beverages, Coffee & Tea; Chemicals & Cleaning Products; Consumer/Commercial Industrial Durables, Hardgoods, Components & Parts; Food and Food Preparation.

About PMMI

PMMI (Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute) is a trade association of about 600 member companies that manufacture packaging, processing and related converting machinery in the United States or Canada; machinery components and packaging containers and materials. PMMI's vision is to be the leading global resource for packaging, and its mission is to improve and promote members' abilities to meet the needs of their customers.