Page 8 - Packaging News Magazine Sep-Oct 2021

8 NEWS |
www.packagingnews.com.au | September-October 2021
Pro-Pac profits rise on revenue hit
ANZ packaging group Pro-Pac (PPG) achieved an 18 per cent rise in its profit after tax, on revenues that declined by $38m, in a year described by CEO Tim Welsh as “transformative”.
Annual sales fell to $440m from $478m the year before, while profit after tax rose to $7.8m from $6.6m, profit before tax rose by 30 per cent to $18.8m.
The decline in revenue was partially offset by some wins by Pro-Pac in new business, $11m extra revenue with bespoke products, and the acquisition of Supreme Packaging, which con- tributed $5.1m.
Tim Welsh said: “FY21 has been a year of transformation, during which we have delivered on several key strategic initia- tives including site consolida- tion, the creation of flexibles
printing and conversion Centres of Excellence, and the launch of Project Symphony, our technol- ogy led enterprise-wide trans- formation program that will deliver our new Enterprise Resource Planning software.”
The activities are expected to deliver annualised benefits of around $7m from next year. Highlights of the year included the exit from its Chester Hill plant, and investment in new technology, including a seven- layer extruder and laminator.
Welsh said, “As an ANZ business focused on using its investment and manufacturing expertise to capitalise on key industry trends, we are confi- dent about the opportunities for Pro-Pac to keep expanding its packaging and recycling capa- bilities and grow revenue.” ■
SPC issues bold mandate on vaccines
AUSTRALIAN manufacturer SPC has announced its move to man- date vaccination for all staff by end November to gain entry to any company location.
All SPC staff, including casual and permanent staff as well as contractors, must have at least the first dose of the vac- cine scheduled by 15 September 2021, with the first dose admin- istered by the end of October. Any visitors to an SPC site will also be required to be vacci- nated – which would include all suppliers delivering products and services to SPC facilities.
All staff will be aided and offered compensation via paid time off when required to receive their vaccinations as well as special paid leave of up to two days for any staff who may become unwell after vac- cination. For those with a pre- existing condition and are unable to receive the vaccine their circumstances will be con- sidered on a case-by-case basis.
SPC CEO Robert Giles said, “By taking proactive steps now, we are shoring up our company for the future. We firmly believe that it will be manufacturers and innovators like SPC who will help drive Australia’s post-Covid economic recovery.”
Meanwhile, SPC’s announce- ment evoked a strong response from Australian trade unions. The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) both agreed that such a call needed to come with proper consultation.
ACTU secretary Sally McManus said that unions would support mandatory vac- cines if it came from a public health order.
AMWU assistant state secre- tary Victoria Jason Hefford said that while SPC offering paid vaccination leave was a positive step, there were broader ques- tions around timeline and ban- ning workers that lack proper consultation.
SPC defended it position. Giles said the AMWU’s claims were baseless and called on the union to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with SPC to protect employees and ensure a safe work environment.
PM Scott Morrison said no government would create laws to mandate vaccinations. ■
ABOVE: SPC has mandated vaccination for all staff by end November to gain entry to any company location.
CONNECTING PEOPLE TO PRODUCTS
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