I need to know about the process of "flow wrapping" and "sleeving" -
what is involved? Who would the customers be?

Hi businessbaron!

Horizontal flow wrapping is a flexible film packaging process used to
wrap irregular shaped items like baked goods, coffee, candy or
poultry. It is part of the primary packaging system (distribution,
in-feed, wrapping).

An animated diagram of the horizontal flow wrapping process
( http://www.pfmusa.com/horizontal.htm )

Horizontal flow wrapping is related to vertical form/fill/seal
(vf/f/s) packaging machines, but differs in that flow wrapping is in
constant motion.

"Part of the difficulty is that the form/fill/seal equipment is an
intermittent-motion machine, while the flow wrapper is continuous,"
("Foodservice packs at twice the speed" by Pat Reynolds
<i>Packworld.com</i> p.24 (Dec
1999)http://www.packworld.com/cds_search.html?rec_id=10912&ppr_key=flow%20wrapper&sky_key=flow%20wrapper&term=flow%20wrapper
)

Sleeving came as several different things. In the context of
packaging, it would be plastic (woven or otherwise) encasing around
cables for protection. Several companies that sell flow wrapping also
handle sleeving. ( http://www.nelcoproducts.com/sleeves/ )

Additional Links:
http://www.pfmusa.com/suitable_sectors.htm - Suitable sectors for flow
wrapped meat
http://www.packworld.com/articles/Features/9464.html - A glossary of
packaging terms
http://www.delta-systems-inc.com/glossary - a brief packaging glossary

Search Strategy:
"flow wrapping"
"flow wrapping glossary"
"PMMI"
"sleeving"

Good luck in your searching. Feel free to ask for a clarification if
there is anything that you are not clear about.