What Packaging World does

Packaging World is a B2B media brand covering the packaging equipment, materials, technology, and services sector. Founded in 1994, it is the flagship publication of PMMI Media Group, a division of PMMI (The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies), which represents more than 1,000 packaging and processing companies. The brand publishes a monthly print and digital magazine, a weekly email newsletter, and a continuous flow of articles, videos, webinars, podcasts (including "Through the Line"), and downloadable innovation reports on its website, packworld.com. It also operates the Advisor Network, a curated directory of independent packaging consultants, and is structurally tied to PMMI's PACK EXPO trade show portfolio (PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO East, and regional events). A sub-brand, Contract Manufacturing & Packaging, is produced as the official publication of CPA (The Association for Contract Packagers & Manufacturers).

The company generates revenue through three principal streams: (1) recurring print and digital subscriptions to Packaging World magazine, managed via the DragonForms subscription platform; (2) advertising sold to packaging-machinery and materials suppliers, CPG companies, and other solution providers seeking access to packaging decision-makers; and (3) content licensing through reprints and e-prints rights. Distribution runs through packworld.com, social channels (LinkedIn, YouTube, X/Twitter, Facebook), weekly newsletters, and PMMI-owned PACK EXPO events, where the publication serves as a content channel connecting solution providers with end-users. Customer segments are primarily packaging professionals across food, beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care, and other packaged goods industries, together with supplier-side advertisers seeking brand awareness, leads, website traffic, and trade show engagement.

Operationally, the publication maintains a small editorial team (1-10 reported at the publication level) led by Chief Editor Matt Reynolds since 2018, with Senior Editor Anne Marie Mohan, Contributing Editor Pat Reynolds, and Editor Joseph Derr covering contract packaging and ProSource. Headquartered with PMMI Media Group at 500 W. Madison St., Suite 1000, Chicago, IL, Packaging World is a private, non-listed trade media property with no publicly disclosed revenue, no external funding rounds, and no M&A activity on record.

Name

Packaging World

Legal name

Packaging World (PMMI Media Group)

Website

https://packworld.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Packaging World is a B2B trade media brand and flagship title of PMMI Media Group, publishing a monthly magazine, newsletters, podcasts, and webinars for packaging professionals and machinery/materials suppliers, anchored to PMMI's PACK EXPO trade show portfolio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Media and Industry Publications

NAICS

Packaging Machinery Manufacturing (333993)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Conveying, Feeding & Material Handling for Packaging Lines (IMALAOAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Folding Carton & Paperboard Packaging Printing (IMALAKAH), Compostable & Bio-Based Packaging (PLA/PHA, Starch Blends, Cellulose Films) (IMALAMAB), Corrugated Packaging & Boxes (RSC, die-cut, bulk bins) (IMAMAHAA)

Keywords

• B2B media publication
• Packaging industry news
• Trade magazine
• Industry events
• Content marketing

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Subscription Revenue: Packaging World generates revenue through print and digital subscriptions. The publication offers both monthly print editions and digital access through its website, serving as the flagship title of PMMI Media Group since 1994.
2. Advertising: The publication reaches the packaging industry with advertising opportunities for brand awareness, new business leads, website traffic, and trade show engagement. Advertisers can reach professionals who use, recommend and purchase packaging machinery, materials and services.
3. Reprints and Licensing: Content from the magazine, newsletters and website may be licensed for e-prints and reprints, providing additional revenue from content monetization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Packaging World is a B2B media publication serving professionals in the packaging industry through a flagship monthly print and digital magazine, weekly newsletters, original editorial content (articles, case studies, videos, podcasts, webinars), and event coverage tied to PMMI's PACK EXPO trade shows. It functions as the flagship title of PMMI Media Group, providing news, trends, and best practices on packaging equipment, materials, automation, and regulatory topics.

Product overview

Packaging World is a B2B media publication operated by PMMI Media Group, offering a platform-based portfolio of content and services for packaging industry professionals. The core offering is the Packaging World Magazine (available in print and digital formats), complemented by the Packaging World Newsletter for weekly updates, the Advisor Network connecting professionals with vetted packaging consultants, PACK EXPO Events for industry networking, Through the Line Podcast for video-based industry insights, Webinars for educational content, and downloadable Innovation Reports covering specialized packaging topics. The portfolio also includes Contract Manufacturing & Packaging magazine as a sub-brand serving CPA members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Packaging World Magazine The flagship monthly print and digital publication providing case studies, applications, and original articles on packaging design, e-commerce, automation, regulatory topics, strategies and trends for professionals who use, recommend and purchase packaging equipment, materials and services.
• Packaging World Newsletter Weekly e-newsletter delivering breaking news, industry trends and best practices to packaging professionals.
• Contract Manufacturing & Packaging Magazine Official publication for CPA (the Association for Contract Packagers & Manufacturers), edited for CPA members and professionals with purchase involvement in contract manufacturing and packaging equipment and materials solutions.
• Advisor Network Curated list of experienced, trusted, and vetted independent packaging and processing professionals who consult on packaging line engineering, machinery selection, package and materials development, and food and beverage processing operations.
• Through the Line Podcast Video podcast series featuring PMG editors discussing trends, insights, and notable packaging industry developments, covering topics such as sustainability, testing, supply chain, and humanoids.
• Webinars Educational webinars covering packaging automation, sustainability, robotics, and industry trends with expert speakers from across the packaging sector.
• Innovation Reports and Downloads Downloadable research reports, white papers, and industry guides covering topics including flexibles, robotics, pharmaceutical packaging, case packing, filling and capping, and coding/marking from PACK EXPO.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• PMMI (The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies)coreOthers · 1 January 1994PMMI Media Group is a division of PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. PMMI represents more than 1000 companies providing packaging and processing machinery, materials, components and containers. PMMI actively brings buyers and sellers together through initiatives such as PACK EXPO.com, educational programs and world-class events including the PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows. Packaging World is the flagship title of PMMI Media Group.
• CPA (The Association for Contract Packagers & Manufacturers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPackaging World publishes Contract Manufacturing & Packaging magazine as the official publication for CPA, the Association for Contract Packagers & Manufacturers. The magazine is edited for CPA members and professionals who have purchase involvement in contract manufacturing and packaging equipment and materials solutions. CPA represents contract packaging companies across the industry.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Food Engineering: Established B2B media brand covering food and beverage processing, with adjacent coverage of packaging lines. Comparable in CPG audience and editorial product mix, though broader in scope than packaging alone.
• PMMI Media Group: Direct parent media division of Packaging World, operating sibling titles including ProFood World, Healthcare Packaging, OEM, CM+P, and Mundo EXPO PACK. Provides shared sales, events, and content infrastructure.

Direct peers

• Packaging Digest: Direct competitor B2B media brand covering packaging design, materials, machinery, and sustainability. Anne Marie Mohan (now Senior Editor at Packaging World) previously served as Senior Editor at Packaging Digest, confirming direct editorial and audience overlap.
• Packaging Strategies: Long-running B2B publication covering packaging materials, technologies, and sustainability across CPG end markets. Comparable in target audience (packaging buyers/specifiers) and revenue model (subscriptions + advertising).
• Packaging Impressions: B2B trade publication covering label, flexible, and folding carton printing and converting. Comparable in serving packaging converters and brand owners with editorial coverage and print/digital advertising.
• Healthcare Packaging: PMMI Media Group title covering pharmaceutical and medical packaging. Shares the same media-group infrastructure and serves an overlapping base of packaging machinery/materials suppliers.
• ProFood World: Sister publication under PMMI Media Group covering food processing and packaging. Comparable in operating model, parent organization, and shared sales/audience infrastructure.

Regional players

• Packaging News: B2B packaging publication serving the Australia/New Zealand market. Comparable in product (print/digital trade publication covering packaging machinery, materials, and sustainability) but primarily competes in a different geography than Packaging World's North American core.

Emerging players

• ThePackHub: Subscription-based packaging intelligence service producing innovation reports and webinars (cited as a source inside Packaging World's own coverage,). Comparable as a digital-native alternative for packaging professionals seeking market intelligence.

Others

• PMMI (The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies): Trade association that owns PMMI Media Group and runs the PACK EXPO portfolio. Directly comparable as the parent entity governing Packaging World's editorial, events, and member-driven strategy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/packagingworld
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjmotU1o5ij4p3PNUsnBoNQ?utm_source=PWWebsite&utm_campaign=PWYouTube
• Facebookfacebook.com/PackagingWorld
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/showcase/packaging-world

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Packaging World