• Flexibles: growth in challenging market
    Flexibles: growth in challenging market
Close×

Revenue at Pro-Pac Packaging rose by five per cent in the quarter to December 31, driven by new flexibles customers, in what the company said was a challenging market.

Sales rose to $81.1m for the quarter, up from $77.8m in the previous three months, with flexibles up to $63.9m from $60.6m, while specialty packaging was steady at $17.2m.

Pro-Pac said the trading environment “continues to be challenging” as the cost of living crisis impacts on discretionary spending for consumers.

Cashflow at Pro-Pac for the quarter was an outflow of $2m, predominantly due to a seasonal increase in net working capital for the quarter. The company’s payments included $2.5m for a new printing press, with installation completed this month; it will be operational by the end of this quarter.

Pro-Pac has $2.5m in cash on hand, and of its $39m in financing facilities, it has unused credit facilities of $16.8m, including $5.6m from a government grant.

During the quarter it made $3.4m in payments to related parties, including $385,000 to directors and execs, and $3m to Visy “on arm’s length terms”.

Food & Drink Business

Woolworths Group reported Australian Food sales of $53.85 billion for F26, up 4.6 per cent, with segment EBIT of $2,953 million up 8.5 per cent on the prior year. Group sales reached $71.5 billion, up 3.6 per cent, with group EBIT before significant items of $3,105 million, up 12.7 per cent. Net profit after significant items was $1,138 million, up 18.1 per cent. 

Dr Mark Krstic, MD of the Australian Wine Research Institute, will be stepping down from his position at the end of 2026, following seven years of leadership and a total of 15 years of service to the Institute.

Asahi Beverages has switched to recycled material for all of its plastic soft drink bottles in a major sustainability milestone for the company.