AIP National Office 34 Lawson Street Oxley QLD 4075 Australia +61 7 3278 4490 +61 7 3009 9916 info@aipack.com.au www.aipack.com.au

AIP NEWSLETTERJoin the AIP on

1

MAY 2015

AIP DRIVE YOUR CAREER MENTORING PROGRAM

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

plastics.org.au

PROGRAM REGISTRATIONS CLOSE 8TH MAY

NEW MEMBERSThe AIP would like to welcome the following new Members...

Andrew Zacaropoulos Associate QLDMichael Collins Associate NSWAlexandra Brayshaw Associate NSWAdrian Sutton Member VIC

STATE

MEMBERSHIP LUCKY DRAW WINNER Congratulations to Utra Sharma MAIP,

Packaging Specialist, Dulux Group for winning the Ipad!

In an Australia and New Zealand wide first a number of industry associations have collaborated to launch of the new Drive Your Career Mentoring program designed to support men and women to reach their potential in the

food, beverage, manufacturing and packaging industries.

The Drive Your Career Mentoring program which is supported by collaborative associations AIP, APPMA, LATMA, PAC NZ and SPE, is an industry program designed for everyone; whether you are starting your career or in need of a kickstart. The Drive Your Career Mentoring program is a powerful, self-paced development program that transforms men and women professionally and personally. The mentoring program has a unique and proven learning format and the learnings are manageable, sustained and practical.

The program enables participants to master new skills and techniques over a 12 week period that allows them to create new patterns of behaviour, increased self-esteem and confidence in their own abilities. They will also have access to fortnightly webinars with guest speakers from within our industry. The Drive Your Career Mentoring program is a newly-improved version of the Ignite Packaging initiative that the industry successfully launched in 2014 and is designed to cater for ALL stages of career cycle to give a new jumpstart.

According to Maureen Frank, Managing Director of Emberin, “the Drive Your Career Mentoring Program is all about you – your life, your career and your growth as a person and your development as a leader in all parts of your life, including your family, your community and your organisation.” “Through our other mentoring programs we have personally witnessed some phenomenal changes in individuals – from astonishing career moves, to life balance plans that work, to winning new customers and clients – in all we have seen participants move their own mindsets – they have been able to shift their thought process around what they believe may be possible for them, as individuals – and then - act on it with great success,” The Drive Your Career Mentoring Program will

allow you to focus on yourself for the 12 week program – and that is something that we, as, in our busy lives, rarely do. Ms Frank said. Applications for the 2015 Drive Your Career program applications close on Friday the 8th of May. Every company in the industry is invited to ‘sponsor’ two participants in the Drive Your Career Mentoring program. To access a registration form email info@aipack.com.au or http://aipack.com.au/education/mentoring-program/

AIP NEWSLETTER MAY 20152

AIP TO OFFER CERTIFIED PACKAGING PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL

The Certified Packaging Professional designation will become the leading mark of excellence internationally and a must-have recognition of industry proficiency and achievement for packaging

professionals under a new partnership announced by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) in the U.S. and the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP).

IoPP and AIP will mutually recognise CPP as the gold standard of broad packaging proficiency under a program in which AIP members will join qualifying IoPP members as being eligible for certification. Approximately 2,000 packaging professionals have earned the CPP designation, a trademark of IoPP, since the program was launched 1972.

CPP is a designation some of the leading packaging companies in the world want their influential team members to have because it demonstrates broad competency in all major areas of packaging. CPPs today typically enjoy more senior, decision-making positions in their companies, and research also suggests that holders of CPP often out-earn their non-certified peers.

According to Mr Patrick Farrey, Executive Director of the IoPP, “Having the AIP as our first international CPP partner is a critical step to internationalising the CPP program and ensuring that we have a singular, unified approach for recognising packaging professionals around the globe,”

“We expect that regional packaging organisations in other countries will follow AIP’s lead. This is an important step because CPP helps assure that packaging teams around the world that need to work with each other can do so with the same approach, because they have all attained a high level of proficiency in packaging the same way,” Mr Farrey said.

“The net result is greater efficiency among global packaging teams and as a result, more efficiency use of critical budget dollars and greater opportunities for reduced product time to shelf.” he said.

Ralph Moyle, FAIP, AIP, added that “Being able to offer the CPP credential in Australasia allows packaging professionals in our industry the opportunity to join recognised packaging experts from around the world with the industry’s leading professional designation.”

“Attaining the CPP designation is an excellent investment in your professional development, and the credential defines the packaging professional and allows organisations to seek out and hire the right professional based on verified knowledge, skills and industry contributions,” Mr Moyle FAIP said.

“Using the CPP program to assess and evaluate one’s professional competency validates you as internationally proficient as a packaging professional, a cut above your peers.” he said.

Under the AIP-IoPP partnership, members in good standing of either AIP or IoPP (at the Premium or Elite member levels) are eligible for the certification program. The program foremost requires that the candidate pass a 150-question online multiple-choice exam.

They must also complete other qualifications, such as providing a Resume of Activities which enables them to demonstrate their industry expertise in multiple dimensions, subject to a review panel put together by IoPP and AIP.

MAKE HISTORY BY BEING ONE OF THE FIRST CERTIFIED PACKAGING PROFESSIONALS (CPP®) IN AUSTRALASIA.

FOR COMPLETE DETAILS AND REQUIREMENTS ON THE CPP PROGRAM EMAIL INFO@AIPACK.COM.AU

AIP NEWSLETTER MAY 2015 3

PACKAGING TECHNOLOGIST (1 YEAR CONTRACT)

POSITION VACANT

• Mulgrave area• $65K+ circa package• Packaging Development/QC/Auditing

The role will encompass collection of packaging data, undertake QC investigation of packaging issues, administering the Packaging Supplier Auditing program and other packaging related projects. $65K+ circa package

Well-established company in the personal care and pharmaceutical manufacturing industry is looking for the services of a Packaging Technologist to work in their close knit team base at Mulgrave.

Packaging experience in a broad range of formats is required for this role. Intermediate to Advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills, including Excel, typing, strong attention to detail and follow through, are a must in this diverse role.

The role will be responsible for the collection and input of packaging date into spreadsheets for uploading into a data base. It will also encompass the administration of the Packaging Audit program and Desk Top Audits.

The Packaging QC role will require the applicant to investigate packaging issue in a production environment and diagnose the root cause and then follow up with suppliers.

If you are a proactive person with a strong customer service focus, take pride and ownership in your contribution, have excellent attention to detail and want to be part of a growing organisation this could be role for you.

Please email your confidential CV to Murray Marsh (murray.marsh@ensignlab.com.au) or telephone (03 9550 1541) for further information.

AIP NEWSLETTER MAY 20154

AUSPACK 2015: CELEBRATING SUCCESS PACKAGING + PROCESSING

OWNED AND PRESENTED BY THE APPMA

30TH ANNIVERSARY

On the 24th of March 2015 the doors opened for AUSPACK 2015. This was certainly an event that will be remembered not only for its size, the quality of the exhibits and the number of visitors but also for the

celebration of 30 years in delivering the latest in packaging and processing machinery and solutions for businesses throughout Australasia.

Hon. Adem Somyurek MLC, Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, State Government Victoria, and Mark Dingley, Chairman of the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) officially opened the show.

Over the next four days a record-breaking 7344 visits were recorded with visitors captivated by the quantity, range and innovations on show and according to the post show reviews, many gained new suppliers and industry leads to help them keep their businesses growing.

Proudly owned and presented by the APPMA, AUSPACK 2015 surpassed all expectations and saw the largest amount of visitors, exhibitors and floor space in its 30 year history. The event was sponsored by insignia and Matthews.

According to Mr Luke Kasprzak, Portfolio Director – Industrial Division, Exhibition and Trade Fairs, “AUSPACK 2015 had 385 exhibiting companies, including 127 internationals and 68 APPMA Member companies, showcasing 1284 brands and the latest innovative processing and packaging machinery and solutions.”

“AUSPACK continues to be a successful event because it is an invaluable opportunity to view the latest products and innovations in the processing and packaging industries. The show has grown exponentially and we see the expansion as a testament of the event’s reputation in Australia and abroad.” He said.

AIP NEWSLETTER MAY 2015 5

AUSPACK 2015: CELEBRATING SUCCESS PACKAGING + PROCESSING

OWNED AND PRESENTED BY THE APPMA

30TH ANNIVERSARY

The introduction of Packaging & Processing Week not only covered AUSPACK but also included a range of educational and social functions for visitors and exhibitors over the four days.

The 2015 APPMA Industry Excellence Awards, which are designed to recognise outstanding innovation in packaging and processing from design to production, were held at the Crown Towers with over 380 people in attendance. Awards categories included Export Achievement Award, Design Achievement Award, Customer Partnership Award, the Imported Equipment Award, Best New Product Award and the APPMA Scholarship. The 2015 APPMA Industry Excellence Awards were sponsored by Agility, Midway Metals, PKN Packaging News and SMC Australia.

The APPMA also continued their long-standing partnership with the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) who coordinated the National Technical Forums that were held in conjunction with AUSPACK.

The National Technical Forums saw eight internationals and forty speakers cover an extensive range of topics relating to the theme Open Innovation & Collaboration over the four days. The forums were sponsored by Integrated Machinery, GE, KHS, GunnLab, Metalprint, Rockwell Automation, UPM Raflatac, Wellman Packaging and Cormack Packaging.

“AUSPACK 2015 was a very special show as not only was it the 30th anniversary of the event but it also exceeded all expectations. The value of face-to-face networking is invaluable and the level of optimism by both exhibitors and visitors was the highest it has been in years. We received positive feedback from the exhibitors on the quality of visitors this year and we have already received a large number of expressions of interest to exhibit at AUSPACK 2017 in Sydney.” Mr Kasprzak said.

AUSPACK 2017 will be held on the 7th to the 10th of March 2017 in Sydney.

AIP NEWSLETTER MAY 20156

PACKAGING + PROCESSING

OWNED AND PRESENTED BY THE APPMA

30TH ANNIVERSARYAUSPACK 2015: CELEBRATING SUCCESS

WHAT SOME OF THE VISITORS SAID ABOUT AUSPACK…

We found AUSPACK incredibly useful. We were looking for advice about multiple labels and

whether we should be overprinting a base label. The exhibition saved us days on the phone.

AUSPACK is a must for any packaging professional wanting to keep up with the latest

information.

AUSPACK provided a jaw dropping array of new technology in processing equipment.

As an overseas visitor at my first AUSPACK I found the exhibition gave me a good insight into the

Australian Packaging Market and compares well to the PPMA show in the UK.

AUSPACK is always a great way to expand the mind and find new technologies. It allows me

food for thought when designing production lines and custom machinery.

I thought AUSPACK 2015 was a significant step forward in Australian trade shows. The

manufacturing industry is really getting behind such shows, and as such I thought the quality of individual stands, and machinery on exhibition was really impressive. Looking forward to attending in the future, to see continued growth. Very informative and thought provoking.

AUSPACK WRAP 2015 BY PKN

CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO

PKN Packaging News has developed an AUSPACK 2015 Wrap UP video.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO

NATIONAL TECHNICAL FORUMS WRAP UP VIDEO Food Magazine toured AUSPACK 2015 and caught up with Ralph Moyle, National President of the Australian Institute of Packaging and Marlene Cronje-Vermeulen, Packaging Technologist, Diageo Australia to discuss why AUSPACK is an important date on the calendar for all involved in the packaging industry.

AUSPACK 2015 WRAP UP VIDEO

CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO

The wrap up video for AUSPACK 2015 is now available.

AIP NEWSLETTER MAY 2015 7

• Peer-reviewed and improved by nearly 100 subject matter experts in all areas of packaging to add to the previous work of Walter Soroka.

• New insights reflecting the contributions of numerous packaging veterans at the industry’s leading trade associations and consumer product companies.

• Two new chapters: packaging law and packaging and the environment.• Completely rewritten, updated and newly illustrated chapter on fiberboard.• Updated content in every chapter.• New discussions on design, digital printing, smart packaging, bioplastics, supply chains and more.• Expanded section on pharmaceutical packaging.• A comprehensive chapter review questions answer key in the back of the book.• References to websites for additional reading.• New and revised illustrations, photography and tables to enhance understanding of packaging principles.

Over 748 pages, Fundamentals of Packaging Technology, Fifth Edition gives you the most authoritative, current and comprehensive information available on all the major areas of packaging! Clear and concise, with easy-to-understand explanations from IoPP technical committee members and experts at the industry’s leading packaging associations.

FUNDAMENTALS OF PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY: WHAT’S NEW IN THE FIFTH EDITION

CLICK HERE FOR THE ORDER FORM

NOW AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIA

Need to reach food & beverage manufacturers? Food Magazine is Australia’s leading source of information on new trends, products and issues, reaching more professionals in food and beverage manufacturing than any other industry title.

For more information, contact:

Sharon AmosSALES MANAGERT: (61 7) 3261 8857 M: 0417 072 625E: sharon.amos@ cirrusmedia.com.au

Kevin GomezEDITORT: (61 2) 8484 0976 E: kevin.gomez@ cirrusmedia.com.au

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AIP NEWSLETTER MAY 20158

AIP PARTNERS

Find out how your company can become a partner of the AIP by emailing info@aipack.com.au

EVEN A ONCE IN A DECADE STORM CAN’T STOP THE NSW MEMBERS!

Even in the midst of the largest storm in NSW history in the last ten years 20 people braved the flooded roads to visit the Integrated Packaging site. The site even kindly donated umbrellas from Bunnings to

all of the members to walk around the site!

All in all a great tour which ended up taking over 3.5 hours to see all the fabulous machinery and equipment. The AIP would like to take this opportunity to thank Integrated Packaging for opening up their site to our members.

AIP NEWSLETTER MAY 2015 9

MAJANS WINS THE 2015 AMERICAN PACKAGE DESIGN AWARDS

The AIP would like to congratulate Don Raniga MAIP and his team at Majans for winning the 2015 American Package Design Awards

for their Bhuja Snacks packaging.

The American Package Design Awards have been recognising innovative packaging, retail graphics and related projects for 52 years.

Congratulations Majans! Please join the AIP National Board in congratulating Majans!

The categories include: • Food• Beverage

• Health & Beauty• Household & O�ce

• Industrial & Supply Chain• Seasonal & Promotional

2015AUSTRALIAN PACKAGING DESIGNAWARDS

www.pcaawards.com.au/apda

CALL FOR ENTRIES

Registrations close Wednesday 29 July

We are on the hunt for creative, imaginative & innovative packaging designs!

FOOD SAFETY-PACKAGING STANDARDS & REGULATIONS HALF-DAY TRAINING COURSE

The AIP recently held the new Food Safety-Packaging Standards & Regulations half-day training course in Victoria which will help suppliers and packaging businesses become fully

familiar with the requirements of the Standard. A very informative day with fabulous networking opportunities for all attendees.

AIP NEWSLETTER MAY 201510

PACKAGING

10 Foodmagazine | Feb/Mar 2015 | www.foodmag.com.au

The importance of Africa in the world of packagingAfrica is rapidly becoming a packaging growth centre and the industry needs to be ready to reap the benefits. By Pierre Pienaar.

Growth centres for packaging are shifting, with Africa destined to surpass India and China as its population grows, says World Packaging

Organisation (WPO) President Tom Schneider. Africa has the most arable land suited to farming of any continent, meaning that with the right packaging and supply chain knowledge, and achieving population forecasts for 2050, African countries should be able to export across the globe.

By the end of the century, if current demographic patterns continue for another 85 years, Africa would have 4.2 billion people, against 1.1 billion today. Nigeria, whose land mass is similar to Pakistan’s or Venezuela’s, would rise from 180 million today to 910 million, registering one in 12 of the world’s births. This will require more food and more packaging, which is why the World Packaging Organisation runs Residential Training in Packaging (RTP) courses in developing countries including Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. I have been privileged to be involved in these training schemes and the results have been encouraging.

Open marketsThe challenge in Africa, I found was the packaging of some agricultural products, some local foodstuffs as well as packaging for the informal sector, locally known as ‘open markets’ which is a huge percentage of sales in Nigeria. I visited a Unilever plant in Lagos and saw massive volumes of toothpaste in 15 ml sachets being packed, and was told that this was by far their biggest sales and had far exceeded sales of the larger toothpaste tubes that we are familiar with in Australia. The ‘open markets’ sells practically every possible household good in small size flow wrapped packs or sachets consisting literally of only one day’s supply of the product. This is purely driven by cost and affordability.

There is a significant amount of informal packag-ing happening in Central and West Africa as well as throughout the African continent. This is where vendors buy in bulk and repack into small pack sizes for ‘open market’ sales. It is therefore in this area of packaging that requires support, advice and help.

A growth centreAfrica is on the rise, according to Sarah Smith, a Research Advisor at Reportbuyer. Economy, for the most part, is booming, given the relatively stable political scenario in the region. Africa’s GDP growth from 4.7 percent in 2013 to 5.2 percent in 2014 and the FDI growth of 16 percent, reaching US$43 billion in 2014, show a positive economic

trend. Countries across Africa, from mineral-rich Sierra Leone and Congo to the economies like Ethiopia and Rwanda, have shown growth across multiple macro-economic parameters, with inflation in Africa going down from 10.7 percent in 2013 to 6.2 percent in 2014. Packaging in Africa is fast catching up to meet the growing needs of a continent that is booming with investment from a vast number of foreign players. Given the relative lack of proper infrastructure, the vast distances that goods need to be transported over land from a few international ports make packaging a necessity.

Food and industrial goods imports into Africa make up a significant share of the packaging market in the region. Rising demand for packaged foods, a need to keep costs down and investments in food processing are propelling the growth of packaging in the region.

Automation of packaging is helping speed up the process of packaged goods, allowing it to meet grow-ing demand. As the demand for packaging increases, so does the demand for automated packaging.

Africa’s middle class (defined as those earning at least US$450 per month) has triples, according to a recent study by Standard Bank. This group in the continent’s 11 biggest economies has tripled, from fewer than five million in 2000, to 15 million today. In the next 15 years its numbers may swell by another 25 million. The GDP of the biggest economies has also grown faster than its population. Africa’s demographic boom is exceptional and all indica-tions are that the continent might be able to cope with it.

This massive growth in Africa’s middle class will have a direct impact on the purchasing power shift into the future. It’s this shift that we in packaging have to be aware of, plan and prepare for, and ensure that necessary steps, like education and training happen now so that all involved can reap the multitude of benefits in the years to come.

Education, I believe, is what stands between wherever we may be now and a successful, productive, competitive and rewarding future. Packaging is a science and if we want to prevent a void of knowledge in the near future, then we need to ensure that we continually update our knowledge.

Management consultants for retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers suggest that the packaging industry will suffer if it does not take itself seriously enough and ensure that its participants are continually being educated to improve packaging knowledge and skills.

Africa in this regard is no different to the rest of the world and so I’d like to suggest that back-to-strong-basics, consolidation of business, a cooperative, consultative approach within the industry, underpinned by ongoing education will ensure that Africa meets the needs of the future in a vibrant packaging industry; and I wish them and those that assist them, every success.

Pierre Pienaar is education director at the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP).www.aipack.com.au

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DON’T MISS OUT ON THE LATEST AIP ACTIVITIES FOR 2015ALL MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND ANY EVENTS ACROSS AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALANDTo register to attend any of the events simply email info@aipack.com.au or visit the events page on www.aipack.com.au

Andrew Readman Trainer & Assessor – Printing & Graphic Arts, Spectra TrainingHave you ever gone to a press approval and struggled to make the printer understand what you wanted? Do you want a basic understanding of what problems you are likely to encounter with each print process?

When: Friday the 17th of JuneWhere: Viewpoint Centre, St KildaTime: 10.00 amPresenter:

What:

INTRODUCTION TO PRINT TECHNOLOGY HALF-DAY TRAINING COURSE

REVISED COURSE

TECHNICAL DINNER

FOOD LABELLING, REGULATIONS AND SERIALISATION TECHNICAL DINNER

When: Wednesday 13th of MayWhere: Box Hill Golf Club. VICSpeakers:

When: Wednesday 3rd of JuneWhere: Box Hill Golf Club, VICSpeakers:

Adam RobinsonSenior Packaging Technologist, Coles BrandRob CostelloeGeneral Manager, Sales & Business Development, VISYFirst 100% recycled Australian plastic water bottles.Tim GrantPIQET Product Development Manager Director, Life Cycle StrategiesThe full package: including the contents in packaging ecodesign.

Dean StockwellGeneral Manager, Food Standards Australia New ZealandThe importance of food packaging in food regulation – a new chapter.Gennady VolchekChief Executive Officer, AuthenticateitEstablishing Track & Trace: Serialisation to gain complete traceability and enable authentication.

Thursday 20th & Friday 21st AugustSofitel Hotel Brisbane

2015 Queensland

BUILDING the SUPPLY CHAIN BRAND• ADAPT • BALANCE • CONNECT

More than 5000 delegates from across Australasia have attended the Queensland Supply Chain & Logistics Conference in its 16 year history. Will you be among them in 2015?

When:Where:What:

info@qldscc.com www.qldscc.com

When:Where:What:

Proudly SupportingFriday the 30th of OctoberCarbrook Golf Club This charity golf day has been running now for over twenty years and has seen thousands of dollars raised for many charities.

AIP/SCLAA ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF DAY

FOODBANK CHRISTMAS HAMPER PACKING DAY

When:Where:What:

Friday the 4th of DecemberOfficers Mess, Victoria BarracksMembers spend the day packing Foodbank Hampers to distribute to those in need at Christmas; many of whom are without employment, families with young children and living on the poverty line.

VIC

QLD

QLD

QLD

VIC

VIC

AIP NEWSLETTER MAY 2015 11

PACKAGING

10 Foodmagazine | Feb/Mar 2015 | www.foodmag.com.au

The importance of Africa in the world of packagingAfrica is rapidly becoming a packaging growth centre and the industry needs to be ready to reap the benefits. By Pierre Pienaar.

Growth centres for packaging are shifting, with Africa destined to surpass India and China as its population grows, says World Packaging

Organisation (WPO) President Tom Schneider. Africa has the most arable land suited to farming of any continent, meaning that with the right packaging and supply chain knowledge, and achieving population forecasts for 2050, African countries should be able to export across the globe.

By the end of the century, if current demographic patterns continue for another 85 years, Africa would have 4.2 billion people, against 1.1 billion today. Nigeria, whose land mass is similar to Pakistan’s or Venezuela’s, would rise from 180 million today to 910 million, registering one in 12 of the world’s births. This will require more food and more packaging, which is why the World Packaging Organisation runs Residential Training in Packaging (RTP) courses in developing countries including Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. I have been privileged to be involved in these training schemes and the results have been encouraging.

Open marketsThe challenge in Africa, I found was the packaging of some agricultural products, some local foodstuffs as well as packaging for the informal sector, locally known as ‘open markets’ which is a huge percentage of sales in Nigeria. I visited a Unilever plant in Lagos and saw massive volumes of toothpaste in 15 ml sachets being packed, and was told that this was by far their biggest sales and had far exceeded sales of the larger toothpaste tubes that we are familiar with in Australia. The ‘open markets’ sells practically every possible household good in small size flow wrapped packs or sachets consisting literally of only one day’s supply of the product. This is purely driven by cost and affordability.

There is a significant amount of informal packag-ing happening in Central and West Africa as well as throughout the African continent. This is where vendors buy in bulk and repack into small pack sizes for ‘open market’ sales. It is therefore in this area of packaging that requires support, advice and help.

A growth centreAfrica is on the rise, according to Sarah Smith, a Research Advisor at Reportbuyer. Economy, for the most part, is booming, given the relatively stable political scenario in the region. Africa’s GDP growth from 4.7 percent in 2013 to 5.2 percent in 2014 and the FDI growth of 16 percent, reaching US$43 billion in 2014, show a positive economic

trend. Countries across Africa, from mineral-rich Sierra Leone and Congo to the economies like Ethiopia and Rwanda, have shown growth across multiple macro-economic parameters, with inflation in Africa going down from 10.7 percent in 2013 to 6.2 percent in 2014. Packaging in Africa is fast catching up to meet the growing needs of a continent that is booming with investment from a vast number of foreign players. Given the relative lack of proper infrastructure, the vast distances that goods need to be transported over land from a few international ports make packaging a necessity.

Food and industrial goods imports into Africa make up a significant share of the packaging market in the region. Rising demand for packaged foods, a need to keep costs down and investments in food processing are propelling the growth of packaging in the region.

Automation of packaging is helping speed up the process of packaged goods, allowing it to meet grow-ing demand. As the demand for packaging increases, so does the demand for automated packaging.

Africa’s middle class (defined as those earning at least US$450 per month) has triples, according to a recent study by Standard Bank. This group in the continent’s 11 biggest economies has tripled, from fewer than five million in 2000, to 15 million today. In the next 15 years its numbers may swell by another 25 million. The GDP of the biggest economies has also grown faster than its population. Africa’s demographic boom is exceptional and all indica-tions are that the continent might be able to cope with it.

This massive growth in Africa’s middle class will have a direct impact on the purchasing power shift into the future. It’s this shift that we in packaging have to be aware of, plan and prepare for, and ensure that necessary steps, like education and training happen now so that all involved can reap the multitude of benefits in the years to come.

Education, I believe, is what stands between wherever we may be now and a successful, productive, competitive and rewarding future. Packaging is a science and if we want to prevent a void of knowledge in the near future, then we need to ensure that we continually update our knowledge.

Management consultants for retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers suggest that the packaging industry will suffer if it does not take itself seriously enough and ensure that its participants are continually being educated to improve packaging knowledge and skills.

Africa in this regard is no different to the rest of the world and so I’d like to suggest that back-to-strong-basics, consolidation of business, a cooperative, consultative approach within the industry, underpinned by ongoing education will ensure that Africa meets the needs of the future in a vibrant packaging industry; and I wish them and those that assist them, every success.

Pierre Pienaar is education director at the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP).www.aipack.com.au

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THIS ARTICLE WAS REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION FROM FOODMAGAZINE

FOODBANK CHRISTMAS HAMPER PACKING DAY

QLD

QLD

QLD

BUILD YOUR PACKAGING CAREER ON FIRM FOUNDATIONS

AIP DRIVE YOUR CAREER MENTORING PROGRAMMENTORING PROGRAM FOR EVERYONE

FINALLY…IT HAS ARRIVED!My Mentor: Drive Your Career is a new program designed to support men and women to reach their true potential in your organisation.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

HERE IS THE CONTENT:1 Finding your leadership style.2 Stop procrastinating – it’s time for action.3 Personal branding – understand what you are selling.4 Build a plan – your strategy for your life and career.5 Taking calculated risks – shift your mindset.6 Raising your visibility and selling yourself.7 The power of networking.8 Communicate to be heard.9 Understanding male and female style differences.10 Influence and negotiate win-win outcomes.11 Striking the balance.12 Go for the KNOCKOUT and make it happen!

AIP Drive Your Career Mentoring Program includes:• A 12-week program including the my mentor kit. • A fortnightly one-hour webinar to hear from high profile guest speakers.

THE INDUSTRY MENTORING PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE; WHETHER YOU ARE STARTING YOUR CAREER OR IN NEED OF A KICKSTART!

plastics.org.au

APPLICATIONS FOR 2015 CLOSE 8TH OF MAY