Looking back, looking forward

LOOKING BACK

2024 has been a busy year. Our Market Research side of NOA has led us to meet new and existing customers at their sites or via the wonders of TEAMS and “virtual meetings”.

Most of these meetings have been due to the release of our Plastic Substitution Market Report and the subsequent wave of growing interest in this important topic for our industry.

At the same time, we have had a growing request for more help via our Recruitment Service; finding good people seems to have been an increased challenge in 2024.

Alongside recruitment then so too the topic of retention has raised its head as another key issue leading to our involvement in the launch and delivery of a leadership programme (Emerging Leaders Programme) for the UK Sheet Plant Sector has been a lovely opportunity for NOA to “do our bit and put something back” for the Paper Packaging Industry.

Last, and by no means least, we have boosted our workforce at NOA by 25% this year – well, we welcomed Chris Vujacic to our team!

Chris joined NOA to support our Market Research service after several years of seeing an increasing demand for our insights, knowledge and expertise in and around the subject of European Paper packaging; Chris joined us just in time and complements our already existing (and very experienced) NOA team of Abe, Carol, Mandy and myself!

LOOKING FORWARDS

So, what of 2025? We know that around Europe the paper and packaging industry has seen a “recovery year” in 2024. However, a few exciting signs in the wings for 2025 for the Paper Packaging Industry give our team reasons for being optimistic about next year’s prospects.

Demand for certain important sections of the Paper Mill industry shows encouraging signs, and the momentum with Plastic Substitution offers converters excellent new pack options; both suggest that 2025 could be a “year for growth”.

 We are also seeing positive opportunities developing for employers of new staff and those committed to investing in their staff’s training in 2025.

Whatever 2025 brings, our team at NOA will be enthusiastically and excitedly ready to offer our expertise, skills and knowledge to our loyal customers (and maybe a few who haven’t yet used our paper packaging services – looking forward to meeting you next year!).

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Neil Osment

 For more about NOA and our work, please get in touch or email us at listening@noa.uk.net.