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Wellman Packaging CEO Craig Wellman was given the industry's Packaging Professional of the Year Award for his achievements and contribution.

The judges looked for an individual who has demonstrated vision and leadership, shows innovation, and is not afraid to take risks. The person must have contributed to the packaging and processing industry over at least 25 years.

In 2001, Wellman Packaging decided to concentrate on moulding packaging products, so the manufacturing facility was moved to Ingleburn and Wellman promoted to CEO.

The company changed its name to Wellman Packaging and has grown significantly under his leadership and foresight of the packaging business.

Not only has capacity grown enormously, but they have gone into moulding and supplying the market with PET injection moulded preforms as well as thin-walled packaging. 

Wellman has demonstrated innovative packaging leadership in plastics technology and injection moulded components over 20 years.

Involved in the family business since the age of six, he has led his company to become a Tier 1 supplier of rigid packaging solutions for FMCG in food, pharmaceutical, homecare, personal care and beverage.

Food & Drink Business

First Nations bushfood company, Kakadu Kitchen, and OzHarvest Ventures have joined forces once more to relaunch Conscious Drink, a lightly sparkling wine-alternative, for this summer. First released in 2023, the project received the Gamechanger Award at The Hive Awards 2024 for developing a product that transcended traditional categories while championing a kinder, less wasteful world that empowers Indigenous communities.

The Original Juice Company (OJC) has lodged the prospectus for the merger of OJC with SPC and Nature One Dairy (NOD) with an offer to select existing and potential shareholders in a bid to raise $1-5 million.

Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, has launched the second round of its Australia-Singapore Venture Exchange Program (VEP) – Future Food 2.0. Applications for interested agrifood businesses close 8 December.