• 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

The Australian horticulture export sector has recorded its strongest year on record, according to the Hort Innovation 2024/2025 Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook. Nuts, particularly almonds, and fresh fruit have led the charge, with growing demand across key Asian and global markets.

Premium food company Maggie Beer Holdings (ASX: MBH) has reported a sharp improvement in profitability for the first half of FY26, as cost reductions and operational reforms begin to deliver results.

Infant formula and baby nutrition company Bubs Australia has reported a strong improvement in earnings for the first half of FY26, driven by rapid growth in the US market and a favourable product mix.