MAPP Report: 2007 Raw Materials Survey |
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Industry Winter 2008 |
How does a plastics manufacturing business maintain profit margins in a marketplace in which nearly 40 percent of its manufacturing costs fluctuate on a daily basis? To gain a better understanding of this question, MAPP was asked by its Members to perform a survey focused on how processors are managing the process of buying raw materials. Based upon a list of 21 questions, the compiled survey results identify stark differences in both management styles and strategic thinking among plastics processing executives.
• There are substantial differences in supplier relationship strategies - some molders pay on receipt of materials while others delay payment and draw out terms as long as possible. • There are unique differences in the knowledge base of the marketplace - some processors indicated a thorough understanding of ‘all’ resin vendors who could supply the resin they buy, while others indicated having knowledge of only ‘some’ of the resin vendors who could supply the resin they buy. • There are tremendous differences in the job duties and the focus of the purchasing professions in charge of procuring resin. Some companies ensure that at least 90 percent of its purchasing professional’s time is spent focused on the resin marketplace, while other companies utilize their procurement resources in many other areas. Despite wide differences in practices, every plastics processor has the common need to stabilize and reduce costs associated with raw materials. This report identifies the thinking and some of the tactics behind the ways plastics manufacturing executives are attempting to reduce the impact of the volatility of raw materials pricing on their business.
Survey Demographics Plastics business leaders participating in this survey represented an array of company sizes. The vast majority of survey participants (44 percent) consume between one to five million pounds of resin annually. In total, 76 percent of survey respondents indicated that annual resin purchases were 7.5 million pounds or below. Nearly 15 percent of those contributing data represented companies with purchasing power of 15 million pounds or more.
Current Industry Material Pricing Trends For those who reported price increases, 47 of the 78 respondents (or 60 percent) indicated a price adjustment between two and seven percent. Nearly 27 percent of those reporting data indicated material price increases above seven percent in the two-month period.
Resin Strategies A total of 81 industry executives answered the question relating to whether or not their company had a resin strategy - nearly 30 percent said Yes, a surprising 60 percent said No, and 10 percent are in the process of developing a resin strategy. Tactics in raw material strategies include recommending lower cost equivalent materials to customers, as nearly 89 percent of the survey respondents have successfully done so in the past. However, nearly three-quarters of the survey participants indicated that material recommendations are accepted and implemented by the customer only 50 percent of the time or less. With this statistic also comes an important data point: one in five processors has found ways to inspire its customers to switch to equivalents more than 50 percent of the time, and one in fifty has near perfect records in implementing 100 percent of material substitution recommendations. An additional tactic covered in many raw material strategies includes the focus of the purchasing or materials professional. Some plastics pro-cessors believe that having a dedicated materials manager is important to their business. Survey results show that one out of every 13 plastics processors ensures that purchasing professionals spend at least 90 percent of their focus on raw materials.
Cost Control
Supply Sources
Consumption
Materials
Purchasing Continued volatility in the price of raw materials will have a persistent effect on the profit margins of plastics processors. By understanding what others in the industry are doing to combat high resin prices and developing an appropriate strategy for raw materials purchasing and usage, plastics processors can feel prepared for whatever change the market brings. The complete survey is available at www.mappinc.com for $19.99. First Resource, Inc. and the Mid-America Plastics Partners, Inc. (MAPP) have exercised professional care and diligence in preparing this report, but because the data used in this report comes from third party sources and First Resource, Inc. and MAPP have not independently verified, validated or audited any of such data, First Resource, Inc. and MAPP make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy of the information contained in this report. First Resource, Inc. and MAPP shall not be liable to any client or any other person or entity for inaccuracy or inauthenticity of the information contained in this report or for any errors or omissions in its content, regardless of the cause of such inaccuracy, inauthenticity, error or omission. Furthermore, in no event shall First Resource, Inc. and / or MAPP be liable for consequential, incidental or punitive damages to any person or entity in any manner relating to this report. |