Hurricanes. Tornadoes. Hailstorms. To most Americans, these extreme weather events are a source of dread (and sometimes fascination). For those in the roofing industry, however, they mean something else: work.

Wine incites passion — in winemakers and sommeliers, in world-renowned wine writers, and in people who have the occasional glass with dinner or keep a bottle or two around the house. 

Whether it’s a celebrated vintage from a bygone era purchased at auction or an inexpensive selection grabbed from a display near the cash register for a quick weeknight dinner or Sunday picnic, wine needs to be protected from oxygen. It’s the packaging that does this, and while that packaging doesn’t stir the kind of emotion that the wine inside may, many people are very opinionated about how the wines they drink are packaged. 

Summer is the season of blockbuster movies, weekend barbecues, garden weddings, and, of course, chain restaurants making every attempt to lure in new customers with seasonal cold beverage offerings. This year alone, we saw Starbucks introduce its blended Granitas drinks (only available after 3 pm as a part of its Sunset Menu), Chick-fil-A debut a frozen lemonade, and Checkers and Rally’s whip up six different frozen drinks and smoothies as a part of its new Chill Spot menu.

Both residential and nonresidential construction markets are on solid footing, and steady gains can be expected over the next 12 to 18 months. In 2016, year-to-date new home sales are up 9 percent and existing home sales are up about 5.5 percent, according the latest US Census and National Realtors Association.

Furthermore, housing prices are trending upwards and have increased 5 to 6 percent compared to the same period the year before.[1] The US Census indicated in May that the residential housing market was on pace for about 1.164 million starts for 2016, while Freedonia anticipates new residential housing starts will ultimately reach above 1.2 million for the year. In addition, home builder confidence has remained positive throughout all of 2016.[2]

Have you heard of aseptic packaging? It’s a type of packaging where the contents and the container are commercially sterilized separately and are then combined in a sterile environment.

The $4.6 billion aseptic packaging market accounted for three percent of US packaging in 2015. In unit terms, demand is expected to expand 3.7 percent annually to 68.5 billion in 2020. Read on to learn more about this growing market.

Refractories are key production components that are integral to the recovery of America’s manufacturing sector. In the short term, the $2.6 billion refractory industry will face significant challenges as its largest market, iron and steel production, slows. In the US, sales of refractories used in iron and steel production will be weakened by the decline in the production of fracking-related steel pipe, while on a global scale, refractory suppliers will experience more limited sales opportunities as China idles 100-150 million tons of steel capacity by 2020 — an amount larger than the entire US output. To combat these issues, refractory manufacturers are adopting new strategies.

Demand in the US for behind-the-wall plumbing products is projected to advance 6.5 percent annually to $12.4 billion in 2020. The industry encompasses water distribution systems, which carry water from supply mains to fixtures and faucets; drain, waste, and vent (DWV) systems, which transport wastewater and other materials to sewer mains; and fire suppression systems, including valves and sprinkler heads.

While demand continues to grow, manufacturers and plumbing contractors face new challenges related to water conservation. Stringent water use standards and low-flow fixtures — coupled with an increasing number of bathrooms in single-family homes — are stressing some waste systems in the US. Read more about the growing need for an ever more complicated network of pipes and valves to handle our modern needs.

Food and beverage is the dominant market within the packaging industry. Consider the wide array of packages that fill a single grocery store — from corrugated boxes, plastic clamshells, and stand-up pouches to resealable tubs and moisture-resistant boxes. More than just containers, these packaging formats are designed for specific uses — such as promoting aesthetic appeal and brand recognition, or monitoring temperature and prolonging shelf life.

Demand is expected to rise for produce, meat, seafood, and poultry packaging through 2019. In addition, the demand for active and intelligent packaging is forecast to increase, with the growing need for more advanced packaging technologies such as specialized gas scavenging and moisture control. In this post, three research analysts from the Freedonia Group, an international market research company owned by MarketResearch.com, weigh in to highlight key packaging trends and interesting new developments to watch.

As the U.S. economy continues to recover from the effects of the recession, landscaping products such as lighting, pavers, heating elements, and synthetic turf will see increased demand from consumers and professionals. Healthy annual growth of 5.3 percent is forecasted through 2019. In 2014, decorative products were the largest category, with outdoor lighting receiving increased attention.

To find out what's in store for 2016, read on to learn about three major trends that are shaping the $6.3 billion industry for landscaping products in the U.S.

In 2015, the manufacturing and construction industries experienced high growth in profits and innovation. A number of trends gained momentum including the Internet of Things, next-shoring, and an increase in commercial buildings, single-family homes, and manufacturing plant construction.

To sustain and even surpass this year’s growth, companies will need to understand the trends that are expected to impact these industries in 2016. A range of factors such as e-commerce, robotics, security concerns, and green initiatives will influence these industries in the year to come. Read on to learn more.