Close×

When it comes to original equipment design, successful customisation to meet a specific requirement is often the catalyst for innovation that can be game changing for a particular sector.

The Customer Participation Award, one of the APPMA Industry Excellence Awards, recognises that, and this year Fibre King was announced the winner of the category for the development of the Oryx De Erector.

In short, the project reduced manual handling of RPCs for the end-user and the 'Proof of Concept' for the Oryx De Erector created a partnership between manufacturer and end user that enabled both parties to create value through lower overall cost of use per RPC for the end-user and future demand for De Erectors and RPC Automation for Fibre King. The Oryx De Erector enabled the end-user to fully automate the de-erect process, running random crate sizes, at the required speeds.

Read more about it here.

Other awards recognising technology developments presented on the night included the Best New Product Award to HMPS for the Coffee Pod Case Packing system; the Export Achievement Award GP Graders for the Airjet Cherry Defect Grader; the Design Achievement Award to Machinery Automation & Robotics for Container Loading solution; and the Imported Equipment Award to AAA Packaging Supplies for the C-One Plana Pallet Wrapper.

The award-winning technology will be covered in PKN's May-June print issue.

Food & Drink Business

Lark Distilling has reported continued top-line growth in 1H FY26, with net sales revenue (after excise) rising 10 per cent to $8.7 million, as the Tasmanian whisky producer prepares for a coordinated domestic and international rollout of its restaged portfolio in the second half.

Better-for-you soft drink brand, bobby, has opened expressions of interest for its upcoming equity raise through OnMarket. Since launching in 2022, the company has expanded from four to 13 flavours, and secured national ranging across major and independent retail.

Calabria Family Wine Group has taken over Australian distribution for House of Fine Wine and The Wine Company – including products from Groupe Bollinger, Villa Maria, and Tahbilk. The company will manage all on‑premise and independent retail distribution nationally.