MACHINERY MATTERS

A RESOURCE BROUGHT TO YOU BY AUSTRALIA’S PEAK INDUSTRY BODY FOR MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS OF PACKAGING AND PROCESSING MACHINERY AND ALLIED COMPONENTS.

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Message from the Chairman W

elcome to our special pre-Packaging and Processing Week edition of Machinery Matters, brought to you by the APPMA in an exclusive partnership with PKN Packaging News.

This is a stellar time in the APPMA calendar, featuring several deep-level, business-focused events. With months of planning, every aspect of Packaging and Processing Week is now set to deliver maximum value to our members, along with exhibitors, visitors, sponsors and the industry as a whole.

As one of the first of two events kicking off this industry-dedicated week on Tuesday 26 March, I am proud to report that 100 per cent of the expanded AUSPACK exhibition space was sold several months ago – making 2019 the largest and most exciting AUSPACK exhibition to date.

The AUSPACK Business and Industry Conference also begins on 26 March. This two-day conference has some 40 international and domestic speakers, forming a fantastic line-up to address those hot topic challenges and opportunities the manufacturing and processing industry is facing. The theme is Smart. Connected. Sustainable, with some highly interesting sessions across both streams of packaging and processing, and business growth, covering sub-themes of innovation and technology, sustainable solutions, smart packaging, e-commerce, future consumers, export and distribution, blockchain, design trends and strength through diversity.

The APPMA Board was delighted with the response to the reintroduced APPMA Awards of Excellence. APPMA Members and AUSPACK exhibitors have certainly embraced the programme, resulting in a record number of submissions across our five machinery award categories comfortably exceeding any of our previous single-event award programmes. There’s plenty of work there for the judging panel, which bodes well for a robust result.

Then on the evening of Wednesday 27 March, we will hold our Gala Awards Ceremony. This is our industry night of nights, to announce and celebrate the winners from the finalists we will have announced in February, recognise our top performers and achievers, as well as providing the opportunity to network together, and have some well-deserved fun. All finalists and winners will have an opportunity to showcase their products on the AUSPACK showfloor, so be sure to take a look at some of the best in the industry.

Education Day is Friday 29 March. It is all about closing the education gap, and will begin with the NextGen Breakfast Forum. This will be an important event for every manufacturing employer to attend because it specifically looks at how to attract, and importantly retain, the next generation of workers.

Gen Z is different to the Millennials, and it will be insightful to hear from experts how manufacturers can ensure their businesses gain maximum value from Gen Z’s skills set, particularly as fundamental economic conditions of manufacturing continue to improve.

The entire Packaging and Processing Week is all about education, and engaging with business and industry partners.

Come and visit the APPMA on stand B140 at AUSPACK. Take the time to learn more about our Member events and services, and ensure you’re getting the most value from your Association.

I look forward to seeing you all later this month at AUSPACK 2019.

MARK DINGLEY,  CHAIRMAN

“A fantastic line-up to address those hot-topic challenges and opportunities the manufacturing and processing industry is facing”

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APPMA NEWS

To date a great deal of work has been undertaken to ensure AUSPACK and other Packaging and Processing Week events deliver maximum value to all attendees and

exhibitors. This has included a range of APPMA member services and events designed to make sure our APPMA member experience is just that little more special. These include: • members’ lounge, with daily catered lunch and

space for members to relax• members’ networking drinks scheduled for the

first evening (Tuesday 26 March)• access to scanning and lead-capturing

equipment; and • discounted tickets to events during Packaging and

Processing Week.Come and visit the APPMA stand at AUSPACK

(stand B140). As part of our commitment to sustainability, education and member services, the APPMA has this year invited various industry and business partners to participate on the stand.

With many APPMA members being privately owned family businesses, this is a great opportunity to understand more about the Family Business Association’s services.

Having the Fight Food Waste Co-operative Research Centre and Foodbank on our stand provides the opportunity to promote the good work done by these organisations and support their causes.

And if you’re looking at upgrading your company’s skills base, make sure you talk to RMIT Online about its course offerings and the opportunities to add value and knowledge to your existing industry workforce.

AUSPACK and other Packaging and Processing week events also provide a great opportunity for members to meet the APPMA team, discuss any

questions, provide feedback and explore how to best use APPMA member support services and events.

BEYOND AUSPACKFollowing Packaging and Processing Week and AUSPACK, the APPMA focus quickly moves back to ongoing initiatives aimed at delivering enhanced member services, events and benefits. These initiatives include development of relationships with business partners and associations, additional member and industry networking events and promotion of the APPMA and our members at strategic domestic and international exhibitions.

One of these exhibitions is Propak Asia, held in Bangkok in June, where we will again be joining the Australian Pavilion to engage and support exhibiting APPMA members, explore how the APPMA can best support and benefit members who may wish to exhibit at future shows, and promote the APPMA and our members to overseas audiences.

We will also be identifying possible distribution/agency opportunities for members, capturing feedback regarding AUSPACK, and promoting AUSPACK 2021, while engaging with other associations in exploring information sharing opportunities.

Look out for further announcements and reports in Machinery Matters’ publications. We look forward to an exciting four days in Melbourne later this month.

The APPMA stand at AUSPACK 2019 will host three industry business partners to add value for members.

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Maximise your experience at AUSPACKAPPMA is pulling out all the stops to ensure AUSPACK provides optimum value for its members, says general manager Michael Moran.

AUSPACK 201926-29 MARCHMCEC, MELBOURNEwww.auspack.com.au

AUSPACK 2019BUSINESS & INDUSTRY CONFERENCE26-27 MARCHMCEC, MELBOURNE

APPMA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCEGALA DINNER27 MARCHMCEC, MELBOURNE

NEXT GEN BREAKFAST FORUM29 MARCHMCEC, MELBOURNE

PROPAK ASIA 2019 12- 15 JUNEBITEC | BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL TRADE & EXHIBITION CENTREBANGKOK, THAILAND

WHAT’S COMING UP

MEMBERS NEWS

HMPS FRAMES ITS FUTURE The first custom-built HMPS machine with new frame design will be on display at AUSPACK. Launched at ProPak 2018 in Bangkok last year, the first one has just been sold. HMPS CEO Shaun Westcott (above) says, “The improvements to our machines are more than skin deep. Customers can now enjoy improved efficiencies, thanks to enhanced access to our machines, faster product and size changes, as well as improved maintenance benefits.” According to Westcott the industry can expect some interesting changes and innovations from HMPS in the coming year. “We are always looking for ways to improve; excellence is a continuous process and we have taken a long hard introspective look at our brand, our offerings and the market, to identify opportunities, strengths and of course, weaknesses.“We now have the opportunity to reinvigorate our brand by updating the technology and functionality of our machines. While HMPS remains the company that customers know and trust, cutting-edge technological improvements, added benefits and creative improvements will ensure added competitive advantages for our customers,” he says.

AXELENT CUTS THE RIBBON IN ADELAIDE Safety systems manufacturer Axelent has moved into its new 1400-square-metre premises in Melrose Park, Adelaide, to accommodate its growing product range. Owner and export manager Stefan Axelsson was in Adelaide to open the new facility, and spoke exclusively to PKN.

Since 1990, Axelent has supplied modular-designed safety guarding and cable tray systems to the global market. The company set up in Australia through an agent 15 years ago and, according to Axelsson, its growth since fuelled its direct entry into the region.

“We now have grown to the point where we have our own office here that manages Australia and New Zealand and they have developed an extensive distributor network that works with us,” said Axelsson. “Axelent also has an established agent that we work with in New Zealand.”

The new facility is a significant step up from Axelent’s previous premises, according to Axelsson, who adds that as the previous agent was located in Adelaide, the city “picked Axelent” rather than the other way around.

“We moved into a double-sized warehouse in Adelaide. The old building was quite low, and this facility is much better – it can store double the size of product,” he said. “With our ever-expanding product range of X-Tray Cable Trays, Axelent Machine Guarding, and the recent introduction of the new McCue Forklift Barriers, the timing is right to move. The move ensures that Axelent can now offer a larger range of Axelent products with shorter lead times for orders for the Australia and New Zealand markets, and house the growing team and the larger range of products we are now offering in the region.”

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PACKAGING PARTNERS ACQUIRES ADAPTAPACKPackaging Partners has purchased the assets and design IP of Adaptapack, the robotic case packing technology business developed by APPMA founding member Walls Machinery, which went into administration late last year.

“We’ve been looking for an opportunity to enter the intermittent RSC case packing sector for a while now, as it’s very complementary to our other interests in the packaging machinery space,” said Phil Biggs, Packaging Partners director. “These flexible packers are particularly suited to low- to medium-speed food and dairy applications, for both rigid and flexible primary packs. They are ideal for market opportunities we’ve identified in both Australia and Asia.”

Packaging Partners has appointed APPMA member Foodmach as the Australian distribution agent for the extensive product range.

“Our team at Foodmach has extensive technical knowledge of case packing, and so along with our robotic palletising, conveying, line control and Robopac stretch wrapping technologies, we can now supply seamless and fully integrated

end-of-line packaging solutions,” said Earle Roberts, Foodmach CCO.

Packaging Partners confirmed the Adaptapack brand will be discontinued, however, the company will support the extensive installed base of machines in Australia and Asia via its distribution partners.

RANKIN NEW TNA CEOJONATHAN Rankin has been promoted to CEO of integrated food processing and packaging equipment supplier tna after this year returning to the company as chief sales officer.

Rankin has more than 30 years’ experience in the food industry, and rejoined tna this year after a stint

at Marel. According to Alf Taylor, co-founder and managing director at tna, Rankin is the ideal candidate for the job.

“Jonathan celebrated some of our most important

milestones with us and played an instrumental role in our growth. We were thrilled when he decided to come back,

and can’t wait to see just how much further he will take the business.”

Taylor believes Rankin will be able to build on tna’s growth over the past few years. “We now operate out of 30 sites and employ 500 talented people around the world. It is a huge step-up from when Nadia and I started the business from our kitchen table.

“Over the last 36 years, we’ve added some amazing people to our team, gained a fantastic bunch of customers, and established ourselves as a global leader on the snack food manufacturing market,” he said.

tna recently opened a new $8m facility in Melbourne, and Taylor announced the business is aiming to achieve sales of more than $1bn in five years time.

LEFT: Taking the business further: new tna CEO Jonathon Rankin.

Cutting edge: Stefan Axelsson (centre) makes it official along with colleagues Drew Hoxey (left) and Les Wall.

CASE STUDY FIBRE KING

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Australia’s favourite craft beer – as voted by Gabs Hottest 100 beers for both 2018 and 2017 – Balter Brewing Co, has undergone a revamp of its facility for one

good reason: people can’t get enough of its brews.This young company has experienced rapid

growth since its foundation in March three years ago by a bunch of Queensland surfers, including Mick Fanning.

To keep up with its thirsty patrons, Balter’s Currumbin-based facility has undergone massive reconstruction, to transform it from an 1100 square metre facility to around 3300 square metres, which included raising the roof from six to ten metres in height. The brewery transformation has created the space necessary for a new canning line, and four new 30,000-litre tanks. With the help of Fibre King’s packaging equipment and integration the Balter canning line is now running like a beer drinker’s dream.

COMPLETE REVAMP As a result of its impressive growth Balter Brewing was faced with completely refurbishing its premises, and significantly increasing its production, while maintaining the personal touch that goes into every carton of cans.

The company had specific requirements in the execution of this project. The equipment needed to be functional and reliable, as well as being aesthetically pleasing as the production facility is an extremely important part of the Balter brand.

Fibre King – having previous experience with other craft breweries such as Stone and Wood – was awarded the project, and set to work designing a canning line that was compact and efficient. Fibre King worked closely with the Balter team to incorporate its output requirements. The final solution had to be delivered and installed while maintaining a specified level of production through the facility.

Consideration was also given to using some existing equipment, replacing and retrofitting upgrades with minimal impact on throughput. The final piece of the puzzle, a new automatic can de-palletiser was commissioned at the end of January, enabling a significant increase in production.

Rapid growth at a three-year-old craft brewery has prompted a significant canning line upgrade with Fibre King supplying the hardware and integration expertise.

Crafting a new canning facility

Once the project is complete Fibre King will have supplied, installed and commissioned the following equipment into Balter’s facility: empty can de-palletiser, empty can conveyors, full can conveyors, case packer, case conveyors, and case palletiser. Fibre King was also tasked with integrating and assisting in the run-up of the can rinser, can coder, can filler, can inspection, cluster packer, and case coding.

PRODUCTION NEEDS“This has been an exciting project to be a part of,” says James Windsor CEO of Fibre King. “As a customer and novice surfer myself, I have enjoyed working with the Balter team to deliver a solution that meets its production needs. It has also been a great opportunity to showcase Fibre King’s range of equipment within the popular facility. If you are in the Gold Coast, do yourself a favour and book in a brewery tour to see this impressive facility,” he says.

Aaron Waters, operations manager of Balter Brewing, says, “Since the launch of Balter three years ago we have been faced with rapid growth, exceeding our expectations. Along with this comes challenges to keep up with demand. With this in mind and from our learnings, we set out to build for the future and not just for the coming years.

“We went from 1.5 million litres to 2.75 million litres in our first two years, and this was an indication to us we needed to look towards a 20-million-litre facility. It has been nothing but a success and only recently completing the project we are now on our way and capable to put a handle on the growth at the turn of a dime, thanks to the workmanship and support of the Fibre King team.”

“Since the launch of Balter three years ago we have been faced with rapid growth, exceeding our expectations.”

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Balter Brewing’s refurbishment included the installation of a compact canning line, with equipment and integration supplied by Fibre King.

Technology giant Bobst looks at the big issues and assesses what they mean for packaging printers and converters.

TRENDS & TECHNOLOGY

Seven challenges for packaging production

Packaging printers and converters face complex challenges as technology advances apace.

1. PACKAGING: PROTECT, DELIVER, APPEALThe role of packaging has been evolving over the years. While protecting the goods is still the number one priority, it needs to be done in a sustainable way, often using thinner materials and more sophisticated design. With the rapid development of new retail formats (particularly e-commerce), the delivery mechanism of boxes is becoming more complex, and packaging production needs to be done differently and faster with more productive and flexible machines while delivering the highest quality. The recent trend requires shorter production runs, repeat orders and flexibility, which is putting more pressure on converters to adjust their packaging production line capabilities.

2. CONVENTIONAL AND DIGITALFor decades, the printing and converting of packaging has used conventional methods. But new digital solutions are now enabling significant progress, meaning brand owners and converters can do things that were not previously possible. While there is little doubt that digital will make a positive contribution, it will require more than a digital press to deliver effective packaging production.

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3. DIGITALISATION OF WORKFLOW

One of the biggest challenges is the management of various interfaces between different equipment and between the brand owner, the agency, and the printers and converters. Automation will help to fully optimise the machines’ up-time and enable effective communication between the one ordering the boxes, the one producing them, and all the others in the middle. While printers and converters spend a lot of energy to select the most productive machines, they sometimes underestimate the complexity of the entire workflow. This is where expertise is critical.

4. COST PRESSUREWe live in a world where we all want more for the same – or even better, for less. Brand owners, who are the ultimate decision-makers, want better, faster, more customised, better secured packaging, but they do not want to spend more. The truth for packaging production is that the cost of a given box should not be higher than it is today. The overall packaging production costs are impacted by three major elements: quality, productivity, and costs.

5. SUSTAINABILITYThis is a topic we all need to take into consideration. Packaging production will need to process more advanced substrates, thinner materials and more demanding designs – all with the same productivity, more flexibility, and definitely at the same cost. Ideal waste management means zero-fault packaging. The ability to manage repeat orders and legal regulation changes will also be high on the requirements list.

6. WORKFORCE EDUCATION AND STAFFINGHiring in this industry can be challenging – talented individuals who fully understand the industry requirements are rare, and the industry is sometimes perceived as less attractive than others. The move to new digital solutions across the production chain will make packaging production more attractive. Training of existing staff members need to be integrated in workforce planning.

7. SERVICESThis is not about the break and fix of a given machine but rather the daily relationship needed with suppliers – indeed, they should be partners, rather than suppliers. With the advent of the internet of things, more and more equipment is connected directly with the manufacturers, and preventive maintenance is no longer science fiction. The Bobst Group has a complete range of services embracing the entire printing and converting process. All this leads to higher up-times, longer life spans of equipment, optimised production quality and costs and overall better ROI.

MEMBER PROFILE CPS

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The Australian owned and operated CPS business is the second largest distributor of SIAT carton sealers, erectors and wrappers globally, and the only business in the

Australasian region that provides this equipment range under one roof.

Rosa Stroszynski, managing director, says CPS has come a long way from humble beginnings 35 years ago, when it was known as Cling Packaging Systems, and is now a strong and vibrant packaging machinery business with a clear focus.

“CPS specialises in both automatic and semi-automatic machines, catering for an extensive range of packaging lines including carton sealers, carton erectors, pallet wrappers, bag inserters, strapping solutions, vertical conveyor, labelling solutions, hooding machines and packaging solutions,” says Stroszynski.

CPS is the exclusive agent for Australia and New Zealand for SIAT, the well-known Italian brand of hand strapping tools, wrappers and case handling machines. SIAT forms part of the Maillis Group.

Stroszynski says that CPS stands out because it offers a full range of high-quality packaging systems, and supports its product offerings with a dozen service technicians available on the road – with a 24 to 48 hour turnaround – for reliability and service.

CPS is one of the founding member companies of APPMA, and is growing its business by focusing on customer needs and providing the highest levels of service.

CPS makes service mark

“CPS prides itself on being the only business in Australia that can support our customers with a high-level of skilled service technicians, and back-up support, 24 hours a day across all of the region,” she says.

“We have invested heavily in our service and technical offering to ensure that customers are supported for the life of our machines. Our service team is one of our best assets, coupled with high-quality world-renowned systems.

“A significant number of our customers have long-standing maintenance agreements year-on-year to ensure that they have no downtime on their machines and equipment – which is a reflection of our service team, their reliability and skills,” she says.

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CPS is launching the new SIAT ProWrap PLC programmable stretch wrapping solution at AUSPACK. CPS says it comes with an automatic wrapping cycle, Industry 4.0 capabilities, fast pallet processing, the capabilities to optimise and track accurate film consumption, and with increased stability of wrapped loads.

According to CPS, the SIAT ProWrap is a versatile and scalable turntable semi-automatic wrapping machine for intensive and demanding stretch film applications, capable of optimising film consumption and with the ability to guarantee full control of all wrapping parameters throughout the cycle.

With the inclusion of Industry 4.0 technology the SIAT ProWrap ensures customer optimisation of the transit packaging solution for their specific industry, while saving resources and time, the ability to remotely supervise machine productivity (up to 30 plts/hour), working time and, most importantly, film consumption.

The SIAT ProWrap is able to offer a variable pre-stretch up to 400 per cent, increase the stability of the wrapped load, with the option of having different amounts of film in different areas of the pallet, higher savings in films and the assurance of protecting the load during transportation and avoid wasting film.

NEW SIAT PROWRAP INDUSTRY 4.0 STRETCH WRAPPING SOLUTION

CPS also offers tailored modifications for clients, creating packaging solutions to meet specific packaging line requirements.

“It doesn’t matter whether you are in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, transport and logistics or manufacturing, CPS can solve your whole packing challenge, from designing a line, to installation, to maintenance. CPS offers its customers analysis to help solve and streamline existing production lines, ensuring cost-effective solutions. Costing and value are all offered before a decision or purchase is made,” says Stroszynski.

“Regardless of where you sit in the supply chain, CPS can help you. If you have a box, CPS has a system to help you improve your productivity and materials handling efficiencies.”

For all of your packaging and processing machinery and allied components answers email appma@appma.com.auAs at June 2018

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