Page 21 - Packaging News Magazine Sep-Oct 2018

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September-October 2018 www.packagingnews.com.au
PEOPLE IN PACKAGING
Our customers know that we are committed to them, they know we have their back, where they go we will go.”
extremely difficult. It is really a fabulous place to work, and provided me wonderful opportunities. Many of my close friends are still there in partner roles today but it was then time to run my own race and be ‘on risk’. So after a long time consulting I approached my father about his plans and we did a deal for me to buy the business.”
Like all good family businesses its founders, John and Robyn, are still actively involved today.
Re-joining the business, Craig first went back on the floor to polish up his technical skills, together with developing his strategy, which led to a restructure and sale of the industrial division to focus on plastic closures for FMCG customers where he saw expansion opportunities.
“I knew FMCG well, it’s the corporate and engineering landscape, and loved the preci- sion and quality of high-speed packaging that was typical of our European machines, tooling and equipment.”
And so began his love affair with all things packaging, especially rigid plastics.
In a market which has two major players, Wellman has been able to cut a path focused on customer service and produc- ing top quality product. He says, “We only invest in the world’s best equipment, usu- ally from Europe, it’s a priority.”
He believes in giving his customers the most advanced technologies and opened the company’s wallet to do so – spending almost $6m on Swiss PET preform equip- ment in 2009; $5m on all electric German extrusion blow moulding machines in 2013 for food and laundry bottles; and more than $2m last year on all electric German injection moulding machines and ancillary equipment for closures.
The commitment to quality resonates with customers, who enjoy multi-level relationships with the company. Wellman says, “Our customers know that we are committed to them, that we have their back and will go where they go.”
And the growing customer list including some of the biggest names in the industry
bears testimony to the value that they see in Wellman Packaging, with the likes of Colgate-Palmolive, Nestlé, Kraft-Heinz and Henkel in the Wellman portfolio.
Wellman’s success is in part due to his ability to create opportunities, sometimes out of challenging situations. The sale of its bottle partner of over 30 years left the company without a bottle option, so rather than looking externally he decided to invest inhouse, installing PET preform and then extrusion blow moulding lines.
He says, “Two stage blow moulding of bottles at a customer plant from preforms is highly efficient and makes a lot of sense, but this does not suit all customers, so we added the extrusion blow moulding lines to round out our offer.”
Standing still is not part of the Craig Wellman make-up, he is currently working on the next 20/50 year plan, including the upgrade of existing HACCP accredited GMP, and any new facilities to pharmaceu- tical standards to cover all future moulding requirements in food. And with strong growth in both closures and bottle busi- nesses, new facilities are not far off.
Keeping momentum in the face of a steady stream of new ideas is also part of his make-up, with daily 3am moments cap- tured on a notepad kept by his bedside responsible for the many patents and designs that he holds internationally. He says, “Running a business is fundamental-
ly a creative activity. I think you have to be a bit of a sponge, soaking up data, distilling it and honing your vision. I look into the corners of the globe to be well informed of the latest trends, not only in packaging but in society as a whole.”
GIVING BACK
Craig Wellman is well known for his com- mitment to the packaging industry, serving on committees for many years as a past vice president and president of the Australian Institute of Packaging; he is its current treasurer. He says, “It is important that we give back and I encourage all industry leaders to support organisations like the AIP especially in the area of training and skills development. We have limited tech- nical training in Australia and face skills shortages, and this has to change.”
Life at the top of an independent busi- ness is not for the feint of heart, there are pressures on all sides, but Wellman has taken care to ensure that he is not alone.
“I have developed a network of mentors, to whom I turn, including PwC colleagues, owners of similar businesses around the world, and inspirations like Professor Har- ry Lovell, and my father.”
A lifetime spent in the industry has evi- dently seen Craig Wellman well equipped to deal with the multiple challenges and opportunities in today’s rapidly evolving packaging and business environment. ■
In recognition of his achievements and contribution to the industry over his career to date, Craig Wellman was named Packaging Professional of the Year at the PIDA awards during the AIP conference in May this year. He is pictured here with AIP national president Dr Carol Kilkullen-Lawrence (left), and APPMA chairman Mark Dingley (right).