DATA SERVICES

Data services are a cornerstone to FBA’s success. Association members continually name the usefulness of our data as a, if not the most, significant reason for belonging to FBA.

Industry Data

• Monthly Statistics: U.S. industry shipments (actual, average week and seasonally adjusted), shipments for six areas and 47 regions (actual and average week), price index, containerboard production/consumption and inventory.
• Monthly Statistical Bulletin: Summary of U.S. corrugated industry shipments (actual, average week and area) and containerboard, and quarterly price index. To order, Click Here.
• Annual Report: U.S. corrugated industry statistics for shipments according to value, area, plant type and end use; corrugator production by board type; basis weight; price index; containerboard according to production, consumption and inventory; and hours, earnings and productivity. To order, Click Here.

Industry Forecast

This semi-annual report, titled Economic Trends and Outlook for Corrugated Products, discusses economic trends that affect the U.S. corrugated industry, provides a quantitative outlook for shipments by area and gives a focused analysis of certain corrugated end-use markets.

Benchmarking Surveys

• Key Performance Indicator Report: A group of 25 reports with data segregated by plant type, plant size and geographical area. Includes sales/costs/profit ratio, capital, receivables, fixed assets, inventories and key operating statistics at the corrugated plant level. All data is de-identified.
• Independent Sheet Plant Ratio Survey: Lists operating expense line items as a percent of net sales and groups them within sales ranges. Includes five years of sales history. All data is de-identified.
• Productivity and Waste Survey: Data on machinery and labor operations, and waste from box plants around the world. Evaluates productivity, waste and starch consumption data for the participating plants, who are randomly coded to provide confidentiality. To order, Click Here.

Occupational Injury and Illness Report

A compilation of recordable employee injury and illness data for corrugator and sheet plants. The data determines the annual AICC/FBA Safety Awards.

Labor Information

• Labor Report: Labor agreements and settlements for both union and non-union FBA member plants. Includes wage rates and increases, fringe benefits (shift deferential, pension and 401(k)) and insurance benefits (life).
• Wage and Fringe Benefit Study: Comprehensive survey of labor-related information over and above the monthly labor report. Includes wage rates and increases (specific job classifications, average straight-time hourly rates), and fringe benefits (holidays, vacation time) and insurance benefits (medical)
• Labor Database: On-line database containing up-to-the-minute labor data, searchable by company/plant name or type, city/state/area/region or union/non-union. The most comprehensive gathering of labor information FBA offers.

*MEETINGS, SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS

FBA holds three major meetings per year: the Annual Meeting, the Independent Corrugator Executive Conference and the Independent Sheet Plant Operators Workshop.

In addition, FBA has also held numerous special seminars with concentrations on: human resources, health cost containment, OSHA hazard communications regulations, DOT hazardous material shipment regulations and revised carrier rules, environmental issues and the Full Disclosure cost analysis tool.

Costs for annual or special events are usually borne by a separate registration fee.

BOX STANDARDS

FBA develops performance test methods, standards and mandated requirements for corrugated boxes.

• Corrugated Common Footprint Standard for Produce Packaging (To order, Click Here)
• Case-Ready Meat Modular System (To order, Click Here)
• Voluntary Standards (Tolerances for Corrugated Regular Slotted Containers, Tolerances for Scored and Slotted Corrugated Sheets, Vacuum Equipment Handling of Corrugated Fiberboard) (To order, Click Here)
• Recommended Practices (Adhesives Used on Corrugated Fiberboard Packaging, Guidelines for Printing Bar Codes on Corrugated, Storage and Handling of Corrugated and Solid Fiberboard Packaging Materials) (To order, Click Here)

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

FBA monitors industry issues on the national and state level. When applicable, the appropriate FBA committee formulates a position and directs it to the relevant legislative body.

ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

FBA monitors environmental issues and/or regulations that may impact box plant operations.