PMM Insight: A Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing Podcast

What plastics processors and OEMs are telling us about 2026

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This episode is a discussion about the annual PMM Machinery Buying Survey, with editor Ron Shinn, managing editor Lynne Sherwin and senior staff reporter Karen Hanna.

Here are some key points: 

  • Survey respondents were surprisingly positive, with 73 percent saying they plan to buy primary processing equipment in 2026. Some machinery OEMs and analysts aren't quite so optimistic.
    • Tariffs are having a mixed effect and are still causing confusion. 
      • Manufacturing wages across the board are rising, and processors are going to have to pay more for workers, even as the lack of skilled labor is driving more automation.
        • The trend to keep machinery running longer is continuing, and machinery OEMs are responding by beefing up their service departments. 
          • ...more
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          PMM Insight: A Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing PodcastBy Endeavor Business Media