Page 54 - Food & Drink Magazine Jan-Feb 21

MACHINERY MATTERS
Welcome back: looking forward to an exciting 2021
“The nation’s seventh-largest industry for employment is poised to be revitalised post Covid-19, with advanced competitive manufacturing utilising a highly skilled, well- educated workforce to produce high-end, targeted goods.”
Welcome to the first 2021 edition of Machinery Matters, brought
to you by the APPMA in an exclusive partnership with PKN Packaging News and Food & Drink Business. I hope everyone had a safe and happy Christmas and New Year, and you have all returned ready to take up the challenges and opportunities that come as we progress into whatever a Covid-normal year brings.
The demand on businesses, industries and working lifestyles across the world to evolve, be flexible, safe and productive was truly tested in 2020. Many of the changes are likely to remain embedded in everyday working environments for many years to come. In essence, 2020 was a strong reminder of the need to be prepared for continued innovation and evolution to cater for planned circumstances – and perhaps more importantly in some ways, unplanned circumstances.
While 2020 did not provide the opportunity for the industry to capitalise on face-to-face exhibitions, conferences and networking programs, it did provide the chance to broaden engagements and communications using technologies that were previously underutilised. Although these have provided a fantastic channel during the pandemic, their use has also reinforced the importance of face-to-face networking and relationship development. APPMA, like other associations and businesses, plans to progressively reinitiate our educational and networking events in a safe and responsible manner during 2021, while also increasing member and industry-support services. This will make for a very busy and exciting year.
We will continue to firm up AUSPACK 2022 and the range of events and activities to be held throughout Packaging and Processing Week. With that in mind, we will also see other exhibitions begin to firm up their plans, with Hort Connections scheduled for June this year along with ProPak Asia. The recent announcement of Interpack moving to 2023 provides a strong signal that the risks and uncertainty of Covid-19 are not being underestimated.
Right now, this all puts Australian manufacturing at a very exciting point. The nation’s seventh-largest industry for employment is poised to be revitalised post Covid-19, with advanced competitive manufacturing utilising a highly skilled, well-educated workforce to produce high-end, targeted goods.
These are exactly the things we like to showcase in Machinery Matters. As readers know, the focus of this magazine is to provide news and insights about members’ businesses, and to showcase innovations, developments and successes in the packaging and processing machinery industry. I encourage those who have not yet done so, to explore how your business can benefit from this APPMA member service during 2021.
MARK DINGLEY, CHAIRMAN
CONNECT WITH APPMA
There are various ways to stay in touch with APPMA, including our website appma.com.au and social media.
2 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 MACHINERY MATTERS
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