On Friday, leading national cardboard box maker Sonoco (SON -0.46%) announced that, due to an increase in paperboard prices "and other inflationary inputs impacting our converting cost," it is implementing a 4% across-the-board increase in the prices it charges on paperboard tubes and cores, effective February 18.
Paperboard -- or, as it's more colloquially termed, cardboard -- "tubes and cores" refer to the cylindrical innards around which you find such everyday items as gift wrapping paper, masking tape, paper towels, and toilet paper. As such, Sonoco's action promises to contribute to inflation in the cost of many common household consumer goods this year.
