Since the turn of the 20th century, the folding carton industry has grown at a tremendous rate. Recent estimates show that more than over three million tons of paperboard are converted into cartons annually. The industry’s sales volume has also increased steadily to the point where paperboard packaging is a $9.4 billion a year business, with more than 300 companies with 480 plants, employing over 55,000 people directly in the production of paperboard and folding cartons.

Paperboard packaging and its role in the marketing of consumer, business and industrial products is constantly changing and being improved. New methods and equipment along with new designs and requirements appear almost daily.