For companies in the plastics equipment market, understanding where demand is headed requires keeping an eye on several factors at once. Manufacturing activity, trade trends, investment patterns and end-market performance all play a role. The Plastics Industry Association's Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES) program helps bring those pieces together, providing participants with data and insights designed to support business planning and decision-making.
To learn more about the analysis behind the data, PLASTICS chief economist Perc Pineda shares his perspective on CES, the committee’s Cross Sector Analysis report and the overall trends shaping today’s equipment market.
A unique view of the market
As the only plastics equipment statistics program of its kind in North America, CES provides participating companies with a unique view of the market. Through the quarterly Cross Sector Analysis (CSA) report, members receive not only equipment statistics, but also economic analysis, trade data, end-market indicators and equipment-specific forecasts designed to put those numbers into context.
For Pineda, that broader perspective is what sets CES apart.
“Equipment is the backbone of plastics manufacturing,” Pineda said. “Looking at the equipment segment allows us to gain insights not only into the machinery market itself, but also into the manufacturing sectors that rely heavily on plastics.”
Because equipment purchases often precede production growth, CES data can provide an early indication of broader manufacturing trends and end-market demand.
Turning data into actionable intelligence
One feature that distinguishes the CSA report is its forecasting component.
“CES participants get a clearer picture of what happened during the quarter and how those results compare to previous quarters and prior years,” Pineda said. “But they also receive forecasts specific to different equipment categories that can help support planning over the next quarter and the next 12 months.”
While quarterly results can provide valuable signals, Pineda cautions against focusing too heavily on any single reporting period.
“Monthly and quarterly data can be volatile,” he said. “It's important to look beyond short-term fluctuations and focus on longer-term trends.”
The latest CSA report highlighted a market navigating heightened uncertainty. First-quarter 2026 data showed broad-based declines in new orders across major equipment categories, mixed shipment performance and softer business expectations among survey respondents.
Trade policy continues to play a significant role in the analysis. “Over the last several quarters, trade has been one of the dominant themes,” Pineda said. “The industry uses imported equipment, parts and components to supplement domestic production, so changes in trade policy and tariffs can have a direct impact on equipment business activity.”
Why participation matters
For companies navigating an uncertain market environment, Pineda believes access to reliable market data is increasingly important. Understanding the difference between short-term volatility and longer-term trends can help businesses make more informed decisions and better position themselves for future growth.
In an increasingly competitive and data-driven marketplace, access to timely information can make a meaningful difference. “Information is key,” Pineda said. “As we move toward an increasingly digital world, the more information a company has, the better positioned it will be.”
As Pineda puts it, the value of the CSA report can be summed up in a single phrase: “Business intelligence at your fingertips.”
For companies considering participation in CES, his advice is equally straightforward: “Success starts with making a decision."
To learn more about the Cross Sector Analysis report and the CES Program, visit the CES webpage or email [email protected].
