The Packaging Council of Australia (PCA) will host a function on February 28 at the Kooyong Tennis Club in Melbourne, with guest speakers from Coles and Bebi Drinks discussing a range of topical issues as it also welcomes its newest board members.
The PCA has also welcomed the following people to its board:
Nigel Garrard, President, Amcor Australasia and Packaging Distribution;
Simon Le Gear, General Manager, Procurement Commercial Services, Coles;
Richard Olsen, Managing Director, Australasia, MeadWestvaco;
Jacqueline Moth, General Manager, Marketing and Sales, Asia Pacific, Owens-Illinois;
Anthony George, Operations Program Manager, Shrink & Stock, Woolworths.
The addition of retailer representatives on the Board is a “first” and is a significant development. With Cameron Dellar (H.J.Heinz) and David Carter (Lion) already on the Board, the result will be a broader focus to PCA’s priorities and Board discussions.
At the PCA function on February 28, Simon Le Gear will focus on the following issues within Coles: Retail trends; Packaging; Packaging Suppliers and, Innovation and Sustainability.
David Martin, president of PCA and the vice president and general manager of Avery Dennison Materials will provide a detailed insight into the future path the board have envisaged for the PCA.
Martin will focus on the association’s objectives which include: Representation, advocacy, networking, education and training.
Bebi Australia director Peter Barnes will provide an insight into the Bebi Drinks products and share their packaging story.
Bebi Drinks was successful in the 2012 Australian Packaging Design Awards, winning Best of Show. His presentation will focus on a brief background into Bebi Drinks which inlclude Supplier relationships – Positive and negative experiences with packaging manufactures. What are the keys to becoming a long-term supplier?; Packaging manufacturer requirements – What are the most important issues – Cost? Innovation? Quality? Sustainability?; Role of the consumers – Pack design, range, and distribution channels etc.; Success from the 2012 Australian Packaging Design Awards; Gamification of food and beverage products; What’s next with Avatars?
Gavin Williams, CEO, PCA told Asia Pacific Packaging, “The composition of the new PCA Board represents the successful completion of the first stage in the PCA’s goal to change the way the industry is represented. The aim is to provide a more effective voice and representation for all companies in the packaging value chain - and at a reduced cost!
Williams says “It brings with it possibilities which are both exciting and, potentially, challenging. Exciting, in that for the first time in its history, the PCA Board will now comprise representatives of the entire packaging supply chain including retailers and brand owners as well as packaging manufacturers and raw material suppliers. This broader and more diverse Board will strengthen the PCA.”
He says, “Potentially challenging, in that the task of strategic direction setting focussing on the big “industry wide” issues becomes both more important and more demanding. But done successfully it will produce better outcomes, better rewards.”
Williams says, “The fact that Simon Le Gear from Coles, one of our new Board members, is speaking at the February 28 meeting shows the promise which lies ahead. David Martin, the PCA President will also speak on the new direction for the PCA together with Peter Bares from Bebi International who won many prizes in the 2012 Australian Packaging Design Awards.”
