What not to miss at AUSPACK 2019 this week

The region’s largest packaging and processing expo, AUSPACK, returns to Melbourne this week. Whether you’re a seasoned visitor or a first-timer, our guide will help you narrow down the events you simply cannot afford to miss.  

AUSPACK BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY CONFERENCE (Tues 26 to Wed 27 March) 

New for 2019, the AUSPACK Business and Industry Conference is an absolute must-visit. There are more than 40 speakers and panellists ready to present new ideas and data focusing on two main areas: packaging and processing, and business growth. 

Chairman of APPMA, and Matthews’ own CEO, Mark Dingley, said, “The inaugural AUSPACK Business and Industry Conference is a great new education opportunity for the industry, and is an initiative the APPMA introduced in line with industry demand.”

The conference will run for two days, with more than 40 international and domestic speakers. If you haven’t yet saved your seat – purchase your ticket today!

The line-up is inspiringly diverse, so here are just a few unmissable highlights:

• John Broadbent, founder of Realise Potential, leading a panel discussion on taking the “leap of faith” towards Industry 4.0. 

• Foodmach CCO Earle Robertsrevealing details of the $165m Dulux paint production and packaging plant, one of the top-five Industry 4.0 plants in the world. 

• Panel discussion on “What’s good for the planet is good for business”. Led by the ABC’s “War on Waste” presenter Craig Reucassal, this discussion will delve into the 2025 National Packaging Waste Target and how the processing and packaging industry has the potential to be a leader. (Here’s what the National Food Waste Strategy means for food labellingand how the world is tackling food waste.)

• Discover how to win the hearts and minds of the future consumer by CEO of Monash Food Innovation Centre, Dr Angeline Achariya. (Angeline has some interesting thoughts in this piece on the future of food & the inconvenient truthsand predictions for 2019.) 

(You can read up on Industry 4.0 here with this view on empowering people being key to Industry 4.0 strategy, while here’s a manufacturer’s practical guide to the technologies driving Industry 4.0, here’s what you need to know about Industry 4.0, and this piece looking at lean manufacturing + Industry 4.0 as the next level of operational excellence is pretty interesting.)

GALA DINNER & APPMA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE (Wed 27 March)

The Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) has reinstated its Awards of Excellence as part of 2019 Packaging and Processing Week. Check out the finalists here. Winners will be announced at the Gala Awards Ceremony on 27 March 2019 (6pm – late). 

Here’s a sneak peek into what the evening has in store:

• See who takes home the trophies for the APPMA Awards of Excellence. No doubt the winners and finalists will inspire you!
• Entertainment throughout the evening by MC and multi-skilled performer, Peter Rowsthorn. 
• Music by sophisticated ensemble Lil Miss Jazz.
• Keep your eyes peeled for the sustainably sourced décor, lighting, centrepieces – and food!

NEXTGEN BREAKFAST FORUM (Fri, 29 March)

Trying to work out how to attract, retain and motivate the next generation into the workforce? The NextGen Breakfast Forumpromises to be a thought-provoking end to your week. 

In just six years, Gen Z (now aged between 8 and 22) will make up more than a quarter of the Australian workforce. Hear experts discuss how to gain maximum value from their unique skills set. If you’re an Australian manufacturing employer, there’s no doubt you should be at this event. 

AUSPACK 2019 EXHIBITION

Set to be the most comprehensive, and occupying the largest floor space in its history, the AUSPACK free exhibition will bring together hundreds of companies and brands from across the world to showcase their latest machinery, products and services. 

With a huge display to explore, here are a few to put on your must-visit list:

• Open IIoT (stand B237): See the launch of a new collaborative initiative between SMC, Beckhoff Automation, NORD Drivesystems, Balluff and ZI-Argus. This open-source knowledge group has been set up to provide valuable information about Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things, including the all-important “how to” of implementation. (Is IoT the essential ingredient for Australian food & beverage manufacturers?)

• Heat and Control (stand D150):Discover how engaging with a single-source supplier can add value at all stages of the production line through increased connectivity levels and digital data exchange.

• Italian Pavilion:For the first time, AUSPACK will include a dedicated Italian pavilion among its global exhibitors. Why? Mark Dingley explains:“Italy has a large number of packaging and processing machinery manufacturers, with many being current suppliers into Australia. Australia, and indeed the APAC region, is important for their ongoing growth so they’re keen to attend, while there are many other Italian suppliers who are looking for business-growth opportunities Down Under.”

• Matthews (stand D140): We’ve got some exciting news for AUSPACK 2019! Come and visit our stand for our major milestone announcement during morning tea on Tuesday 26 March, see you at 10:45am!  

What’s on your to-do list at AUSPACK 2019? We can’t wait to see you there. Come and say hi at stand D140. 

Looking for more info about coding, labelling and vision inspection before you hit the largest packaging and processing exhibition in the southern hemisphere? Matthews’ large resource library is full of information for Australian manufacturers. Plus, it’s all free to download!