Results of our online poll on the challenges facing the forest, paper and packaging industry

The poll was open for responses on our website between 22 August and 19 September, pre-dating the current deterioration of conditions in global financial markets, as well as the announced acquisition of M-Real's coated papers business by Sappi.

Below are the questions we asked and the results shown as percentage responses:

• Which of the following do you feel has had the most significant impact on your bottom line in the last 12 months:

  Energy costs	25
  Foreign exchange rates	22
  Fibre supply	13
  Transportation costs	11
  Emerging markets	5
  Climate change	2
  No opinion	2
  total	80

• When will major consolidation happen in the Western European industry:

  Within 1-3 years	32
  Within 1-3 years	24
  No opinion	11
  Within 12 months	7
  Within 6 months	2
  Never	4
  total	80

• Which country or region has the best chance sustaining profitability over the next 1-3 years:
  

  Latin America	49
  China	17
  Russia	5
  Western Europe	3
  United States	3
  Central & Eastern Europe	2
  Canada	1
  total	80

• The global 'credit crunch' has had the following impact on the forest, paper & packaging industry:

  Moderate	44
  Major	19
  Minor	13
  None	4
  total	80