Publications
Publications
- November 1985 (Revised April 1990)
- HBS Case Collection
Signode Industries, Inc. (A)
Abstract
Signode Industries' packaging division manufactures steel and plastic strapping. In 1981 the company underwent the largest leveraged buyout in U.S. corporate history. The case focuses on the packaging division's need to maintain high profitability in a declining market for steel strapping. Since 1974, Signode has been losing 1% per year of the steel strapping market. Since then, there has also been significant erosion of prices. The division president is faced with 1) decreasing price to increase market share, or 2) maintain/increase prices to increase cash flow. The specific decision revolves around the potential adoption of a price-flex system that is designed to authorize selective discounting by the division's sales personnel.
Keywords
Citation
Moriarty, Rowland T., Jr., David May, and Gordon Swartz. "Signode Industries, Inc. (A)." Harvard Business School Case 586-059, November 1985. (Revised April 1990.)