Driven by several factors in diverse industries, demand for item labeling and coding will increase nearly 45% by 2006.

"We think that one of the strongest application opportunities will come from item labeling and coding to support true cradle to grave tracking efficiencies," says David Krebs, AIDC group manager at Venture Development Corp., which did the study. Specific growth areas include new labeling standards in the pharmaceutical industry as well as more effective recall management solutions in food/beverage, electronics, and automotive.