The results of the latest Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) director election are in, seeing the successful re-nomination of Matthews’ Mark Dingley, ABB’s Peter Bradbury and Inox’s Robert Becher to the board during the association's recent Annual General Meeting.
This year, the election saw five nominees vying for three positions on the Board.
Mark Dingley, CEO of Matthews Australasia, and long-standing chairman of APPMA, has focused his career in the product identification and inspection industry since graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Science at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in the early 1990s.
”I saw early on in my career that Australia’s manufacturing industry would benefit from reduced wastage in the supply chain,” Dingley told PKN.
“So, I’ve particularly focused on developing, and helping companies implement, solutions that drive efficiency and accuracy. At the same time, I’ve also had a keen focus on developing standard best practices that help the entire industry.”
Dingley, who was first elected to the APPMA Board in December 2002, has held a number of Board positions over the years, including chairman, to which he was first elected in 2011.
Through his time with the APPMA, Dingley has gained immense practical knowledge from working closely with Australian manufacturers and industry associations.
Dingley has achieved many things in his time with APPMA, including leading it through the immense challenges of Covid-19, its membership growth and retention, and the transition and launch of its tradeshow APPEX 2024 during AUSPACK 2022.
“I am honoured to have been re-elected to the APPMA Board. It’s a privilege to contribute to the Association, knowing that the outcomes support Australia’s entire manufacturing industry,” he said.
“It’s through these high-level interactions that we, as an industry, can develop approaches that benefit every business on the ground. I believe in collaboration, and that is something I have enjoyed about how APPMA works.
“I am very much looking forward to what we can achieve for Australian manufacturing over the next five years, and continuing to be a key participant at the Board, bringing to fruition the next phase in the Association’s plans to benefit all.”
Peter Bradbury, channel manager – robotics at ABB Australia, has over 30 years of experience in materials handling and packaging, including the last 21 years with ABB, firstly selling robot-based automation systems, to now supporting ABB’s robot partners throughout Australia, and promoting robots to the food and beverage industries.
Bradbury was elected to the board in December 2008.
Speaking to PKN, Bradbury said he was delighted to be re-elected to the APPMA Board, and is looking forward to working with fellow directors in the lead up to the industry’s largest ever event, APPEX 2024.
“In this post-Covid environment for the food and beverage sector in Australia and globally, it’s recognised that robotics has become a major part of packaging and processing automation systems, with labour shortages and the need for safer workplaces continuing to drive major investment,” he told PKN.
“I believe automation and digitisation are the keys to increasing productivity and viability in order to compete on a global scale, and no doubt the exhibits and conference programs at APPEX will provide the resources and networking connections to achieve that.
“As APPMA continues to expand our membership, I will welcome new members and assist the Board in developing even more new activities and events to provide greater benefits, not only to our members, but the entire industry.”
Robert Becher, managing director at Inox Australia, brings 30 years of manufacturing experience to the table. A mechanical design engineer by profession, Becher also completed his MBA with a focus on marketing.
“I am honoured by the members' vote of confidence, and look forward to a bright future for APPMA with the many changes that have already occurred during my last three years on the board,” Becher said upon being re-elected.
“I am looking forward to working with you in our shared determination to make APPMA a success for all members. We need an organisation such as APPMA to help promote and drive an awareness of the companies we have within our industry.
“I look forward to bringing a passion for Australian manufacturing, my commitment and knowledge to the APPMA boardroom, working together with the diversity that the board currently has, and to deliver on our Association objectives of promotion, integration and participation.”
