The latest print issue of Machinery Matters, the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association’s regular supplement published in partnership with PKN Packaging News and Food & Drink Business, has now hit desks and is also available online.
In the Machinery Matters March-April 2024 edition, we bring you the latest news, trends and technology relevant to the Australasian packaging and processing machinery sector.
In the Chair’s Message (page 70), Mark Dingley reflects on the success of the inaugural APPEX 2024, which saw a record number of companies exhibiting to thousands of visitors, and delivered activities and events run in conjunction with industry and alliance partners, along with the APPMA Awards of Excellence Gala event.
(For PKN’s review of the event, check out our full report, which starts on page 36.)
In the APPMA News section, we continue our coverage of APPEX, reviewing the APPEX Women in Processing & Packaging event, held during to second day of the trade show, and which saw National Association of Women in Processing’s Louise Weine deliver a powerful keynote on systemic changes to achieve gender balance in packaging and processing, followed by a panel discussion exploring topics such as breaking through the glass ceiling, harnessing the power of mentorship, and navigating career advancement in male-dominated workplaces (page 70). APPMA’s CEO Michael Moran also looks at the success of APPEX – calling it a triumph for the industry (page 71).
Next, we put a spotlight on the APPMA Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner, which saw packaging and processing professionals celebrate innovation. Winners of the industry’s night of nights include: Abbe, Inox Australia, Foodmach, Triton Commercial Systems, Trimatt Systems and Detpak. Beckhoff Automation’s Supriya Suhale also took out the Emerging Leader Award (page 72).
Member News in this edition includes: Jet Technologies expands operations with first Brisbane warehouse (page 78); Vale Robert Becher (page 78); AGITO appoints Alan Brooke as national BDM (page 78); Fibre King buys Paksmart, adds cartoning to portfolio (page 79); and TOMRA reveals structure change (page 79).
For this issue’s Trends & Tech, HRS Heat Exchangers’ Matt Hale breaks down the benefits of cleaning-in-place systems, which are now the standard method of maintaining hygienic and effective equipment operation (page 80).
Case Studies in the spotlight include a collaboration between Open IIoT member Beckhoff Automation and Layer Seven Automation to transform a high-profile DC in North Rocks in Sydney (page 82); and how snack bar and wholefood ball manufacturer Tasti Products has chosen the platform – Plex by Rockwell Automation – as its new integrated smart manufacturing and business process solution (page 83).
Enjoy the read, and a reminder to all APPMA members to submit your product and company news to editor@packagingnews.com.au or contact publisher Lindy Hughson on lindyhughson@yaffa.com.au or senior journalist Jan Arreza on janarreza@yaffa.com.au to discuss your editorial ideas.
Machinery Matters is published bi-monthly in partnership with APPMA as a supplement to PKN Packaging News and Food & Drink Business.
