Page 40 - Packaging News Magazine Sep-Oct 2019

MEMBER NEWS
FIBRE KING CREATES WORLD-FIRST MINI CASEPACKER
Fibre King has launched the world’s first mini can casepacker, targeted at the craft brewing industry.
Working with Gold Coast-based Black Hops Brewery, Fibre King developed what James Windsor, CEO, bills as an off-the-shelf solution for craft breweries transitioning from manual to automated packaging.
“We’ve identified craft breweries as a growing industry and knew that we could develop equipment specific to their needs that would eliminate the need for manual packaging processes.
“Having had the opportunity to work with breweries such as Stone and Wood and Balter Brewing, we were able to understand the challenges within their production line and alter our machines to suit,” he said.
The Little Packer, which Windsor describes as the first affordable, flexible, and compact can-specific case packer, can pack four- and six-pack clusters as well as loose cans if needed; it can also run both 16- and 24-can cartons, and glue boxes with no full-time operator.
“The neat part is that the technology can be applied to other applications such as bottling. We have also had requests within the packaged food industry on how they can incorporate the Little Packer into their production line. The opportunities are endless, and we’ve only just scratched the surface,” said Windsor.
Michael McGovern, owner of Black Hops, said the new machine will help the brewery into its next growth stage, and calls it an evolution in Australian craft beer.
“We’re moving on from small boutique businesses into large national brands, and with that comes growth and scaling up production. This project that I worked on with Fibre King was really coming up with a solution that I couldn’t find anywhere in the world,” he said.
AUSPACK 2021 planning kicks off
The Little Packer from Fibre King.
“The AUSPACK Business and Industry Conference, held as part of the growing Packaging & Processing Week, and the APPMA Awards were excellent inclusions and added a lot of value for visitors.
“We developed the conference to enhance the educational opportunities on offer, while the well-received APPMA Awards – the only dedicated processing and packaging machinery awards program of its type in Australasia – were an excellent way to recognise those making a significant difference,” he said.
The first phase of applications, running from 17
040 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2019 WWW.PACKAGINGNEWS.COM.AU
AUSPACK 2021 will return to Sydney Showground.
As the dust settles on this year’s highly successful Melbourne AUSPACK show, it’s time to start planning for 2021, with bookings opening up in three phases for APPMA members and other exhibitors.
T
he first exhibitor applications will open this month for AUSPACK 2021, to be held at Sydney Showground in May 2021.
September to 1 October, will be reserved for APPMA members who exhibited at AUSPACK 2017 in Sydney. The second phase, from 2 to 29 October, will be open to all APPMA members; then the third phase, from 30 October to 27 November, will be for all previous AUSPACK 2017 exhibitors. Finally, phase four, from 28 November through to the 2021 event or until sold out, will be open to all exhibitors on a first-come, first-served basis.
According to Albert Kruger, event director at organiser Exhibitions and Trade Fairs (ETF), previous exhibitors at AUSPACK 2017 in Sydney will have the chance to secure their previous spaces, or similar if those are unavailable.
“AUSPACK 2019 was a record-breaking Melbourne show, with so many elements making it a resounding success. From the interactive and engaging visitor experiences, to the product launches that happened right across the show floor, 2019 was one very memorable show.
“AUSPACK 2021 is on target to be even more exciting and rewarding for the businesses who exhibit, and for attending visitors,” he said.
AUSPACK 2021 will run from 25 to 28 May, 2021, at Sydney Showground.
Mark Dingley, chairman of AUSPACK owners the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA), has encouraged exhibitors to get in early for AUSPACK 2021 after a record show in Melbourne this year, adding that initiatives from 2019 – such as the AUSPACK Business and Industry Conference and the APPMA Awards of Excellence – will return at the Sydney show.