Good morning! The ground under the plastics industry's feet has shifted significantly in the six months since PMM published its annual machinery investment survey. Upheaval in trade and tariffs has continued, while the war in Iran is squeezing processors on the resin-supply side.

So we want to check in with you: How are you faring in 2026? What's the biggest issue on your mind? Have you made the equipment purchases you were planning back in December? Let us know by answering a short survey, two minutes tops, we promise. It'll help us guide our coverage for the rest of the year.

We also have upgrades for Branson's Polaris welder, news from Next Generation Analytics, and from our colleagues at MH&L, a report on CEOs' confidence in the economy.

Lynne Sherwin, managing editor