In these days of sceptics predicting the end of all traditional exhibitions except the four yearly German extravaganzas it was good to see one actually working. I spent just two days at the Corrugated show in Paris – certainly enough time to see that the niche exhibition appeared to have done even more than it set out to do. It is certainly THE event for this sector of the industry. It was one of those rare shows where the visitors were on the stands and not in the aisles. And there was no question of the delight of many of the exhibitors, who reported it was money well spent.

  I can certainly vouch for the fact that several senior corrugated producers and converters were present, and they were not there to kick tyres. That can only bode well for business next year. Our show report is on page 49.

But converters are still suffering the ever-rocketing prices of raw materials. Each day yet another increase is flagged up for our news pages. This month's lead news story charts recent price movements. It is only when you put them all together that you realise the enormity of this situation. And to put the whole thing in perspective, Simon King's think piece on page 39 is well worth reading.

I can only repeat my plea of last month. It is time the converters dug their heels in. It is no good exerting all the energy on keeping the prices pegged when converter suppliers are themselves up against increasing costs.

Time to concentrate on realistic discussions with the customers.

Or your company might not be around to talk to them at all in a couple of years.