Page 104 - Packaging News May-June 2021

MACHINERY MATTERS
“The next two to five years will, no doubt, provide a unique opportunity for investment in Australian manufacturing and innovation, with the packaging and processing industry well positioned
to lead the way.”
Australian manufacturing on the road to moving forward
Welcome to another edition of Machinery Matters for 2021, brought to you by the APPMA in an exclusive partnership with PKN Packaging News and Food & Drink Business.
We are finally beginning to see some levels of normality, with businesses now resetting to a “Covid normal”. It is fantastic to see people progressively returning to their work environments, that social and sporting occasions are running safely with crowds, and events – including exhibitions and conferences – are locking in their schedules now that travel bubbles are established to support safe international engagements.
The opportunity to learn from the Covid-19 experience remains, with investment in manufacturing representing one of the key learnings. The recent inclusion of food and beverage as one of the six key pillars in the Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) “national road map” reinforces the government’s focus and desire to invest to help reset the Australian manufacturing sector, and further develop Australia’s reputation as a leader on the world manufacturing stage.
The MMI has two support streams:
1. Translation: encouraging the initiation and conversion of high quality research
and ideas into commercial outcomes; and
2. Integration: helping companies access domestic and international value chains,
which in turn will help promote Australian-produced goods and services into
new export markets
The next two to five years will, no doubt, provide a unique opportunity for
investment in Australian manufacturing and innovation, with the packaging and processing industry well positioned to lead the way.
THE TRANSITION YEAR
While attendance at international exhibitions and events may remain on hold for some time, the re-emergence of many domestic industry exhibitions and conferences is a positive sign. It seems 2021 will be a transition period from virtual-only events to hybrids, enabling safe face-to-face networking and engagement while maintaining the opportunity for broader inclusion via the proven virtual technologies.
The APPMA has taken the hybrid approach with the upcoming Business and Industry Conference to be held in Sydney on 16 September. We recognise that, as an industry association, it is important to provide options to engage, develop and support our members – whatever their participation preference. We hope to see you there in whichever capacity best suits you.
As always, please stay safe.
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 MAY-JUNE 2021 MACHINERY MATTERS
appmaau
appmaau appmaau