Rym Kachouri has retired as a director of the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA), effective 15 January 2025, after eight years of service, with Phil Biggs appointed director in her place.
In accordance with the APPMA Constitution, Kachouri’s resignation from member company Foodmach meant she was no longer eligible to remain on the board, resulting in her early retirement from the position. Kachouri has started a new role as COO at biotech startup at PPB Technology.
Kachouri’s contributions to APPMA have been significant, particularly in her role as chair of the APPEX Working Group. The APPMA Board said her leadership and dedication have left a "lasting positive impact"on the Association, and her efforts "will continue to benefit the industry for years to come".
When a board director vacancy arises due to a director's early retirement, the APPMA Constituition dictates that the relevant member company is provided with the opportunity to nominate a replacement, should they wish to, with any nominee, subject to board approval.
At the board meeting this month, APPMA confirmed that Foodmach director Phil Biggs will be filling the vacant seat.
Biggs brings a wealth of experience to the APPMA Board. As the strategy and sales director at Foodmach, Biggs has played a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth and innovation.
He is also a co-director and founder of Packaging Partners, a major shareholder of Foodmach for the past decade.
Biggs says he is deeply committed to supporting the competitiveness of Australian manufacturing businesses. Foodmach has over 100 employees, many based at Foodmach’s Echuca manufacturing headquarters.
His role at Foodmach involves leading national business development, application engineering, and marketing teams, as well as designing initiatives to expand the company’s customer base.
Biggs’ career spans engineering and commercial roles across the building, automotive, and food processing sectors.
Prior to forming Packaging Partners, he served as head of sales and marketing at Matthews, where he gained experience in technology distribution and support. This expertise led him to establish FMTP, a successful agency products division of Foodmach representing top-tier packaging automation brands from Europe and North America.
Holding qualifications in Engineering and Marketing, as well as an MBA, Biggs has a proven track record in designing and executing corporate growth strategies.
He is also a regular contributor to industry publications, sharing insights on topics such as product traceability, operational efficiency, and packaging automation advancements, including cobot palletising.
A strong advocate for inclusion and diversity, Biggs believes these values are not only the right thing to do, but also essential for business success.
As a long-time exhibitor at AUSPACK and APPEX since 2001, and a frequent attendee at international packaging exhibitions, Biggs is well-positioned to contribute to the organisation of successful trade shows and the ongoing growth of APPMA.
APPMA CEO Michael Moran said, "APPMA extends our gratitude to Rym Kachouri for her outstanding service and welcomes Phil Biggs to the Board, confident that his expertise and vision will further strengthen the Association’s mission to support and advance the packaging and processing industry in Australia."
