Page 73 - Packaging News Magazine Nov-Dec2020

60 OF THE BEST | PKN 60 YEARS SPECIAL
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at Brownes Dairy and within the wider industry. Her work at Brownes has included implementing the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) across the company’s substan- tial product portfolio. Doyle is an advocate of sustainability, an active member of the APCO Recycled Content Working Group and a presenter at APCO Workshops. She was nominated as a finalist in the 2020 APCO Sustainability Champion Award, which rec- ognises individual commitment to a range of criteria, including dedication to embedding sustainability into organisational practice, leadership, outstanding performance, stand- out achievements and personal growth.
Aleah Koerner
Aleah Koerner is a sustainability packag- ing specialist at Woolworths Supermarkets, focusing on the 2025 National Packaging Targets for Woolworths Own Brand Packaging. Woolworths was the first supermarket to adopt the Australasian Recycling Labelling (ARL) on own brand products. Woolworths is also making big steps towards reducing the amount of plas- tic in its stores and making improvements in energy efficiency, sustainable sourcing and reducing food waste. Koerner has a Bachelor of Applied Science, Majoring in Food Technology, a Diploma in Packaging Technology and has won a PIDA scholarship and a Harry Lovell Award. She is an invalu- able mentor to current Diploma in Packaging students and is always available to help to advance anyone’s packaging knowledge.
Shabbeer Ahmed
Shabbeer Ahmed is the packaging engi- neer, Fresh Meals Solutions, ITQ – R&D, One Global Meals, General Mills. His
key responsibilities include managing packaging projects, supporting packag- ing development, which includes inno- vation, renovation and cost-saving exer- cises, providing technical support to the project teams and, most recently, explor- ing recyclable options and solutions as part of the company’s packaging sustain- ability ambition. A recent graduate of the AIP’s Diploma in Packaging Technology, (which he achieved with distinction and in the face of tremendous personal chal- lenge), he is currently leading sustain- ability projects in his company, and is keen to apply his earnings in this area and, in his words, be a “force for good in protecting Planet Earth”.
Sergio Palacio
Sergio Palacio is automation project engi- neer at HMPS for the Asia-Pacific region. His areas of responsibility include project management, client liaison, plant layout and electrical design, components selec- tion and purchasing, and programming and commissioning of secondary packaging machinery. Palacio has recently graduated with a Diploma in Packaging Technology from the AIP. He aims to incorporate this body of knowledge into the design of sec- ondary machinery, to make it more reliable,
efficient and affordable. Palacio says there can be a disconnect between product pack- aging design and the machinery that is designed to pack those products; while major effort is put into making packaging that fulfills its key functions, not enough thought is put into how the packaging will perform on the production line. His aim is to exert an influence on the design of the packaging for the products his company’s machines are meant to pack.
Michael Van Dord
Michael Van Dord, technical and design engineer at Caps and Closures, was a recent winner of the PIDA scholarship and is currently undertaking the Diploma in Packaging Technology. Van Dord has a design background in aerospace engi- neering which he has pivoted into proj- ect engineering across many applications of caps and closures for numerous FMCG companies. He is fast becoming a special- ist in packaging closure technology with an expanding knowledge base in injection- moulded closures. He has a passion for education and enjoys sharing his knowl- edge and experience with the broader packaging community. He has delivered lectures on packaging topics and has pub- lished an article in PKN.
MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER
Congratulations to all the worthy candidates who made our 60 of the Best list. PKN acknowledges there are many other individuals who are working hard to achieve positive change in their companies and the industry. We salute you.
A final tribute is due to the PKN team, whose unflagging enthusiasm for what we do inspires me every day: national sales manager Sharon Amos, for her fine business acumen and professional customer service; production co-ordinator Luke Buckley, for his eye for detail and pursuit of production excellence; editor Ian Ackerman, for getting a handle on our industry so quickly in his first year and producing high quality content at breakneck speed; associate editor, Wayne Robinson (also editor of PKN’s stablemate Print21) for adding his eye for a news story and expertise in print to the editorial mix; journalist Doris Prodanovic – our own rising star – for bringing her writing skills and invaluable digital prowess to the table; editor of stablemate Food & Drink Business, Kim Berry, for contributing her insights on the important F&B sector and being an energetic adopter of new projects launched in partnership with PKN; and art director Ana Heraud and layout designer Lauren Esdaile, for their creative talent and can do attitude that makes our job so much easier. It is a constant joy and privilege to work with all of you. Lindy Hughson
www.packagingnews.com.au | November–December 2020