Page 33 - Packaging News magazine May-June 2022

May-June 2022 | www.packagingnews.com.au | PACK & LABEL PRINTING
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changing, and how innovation is driv- ing progress in beverage packaging.
Other sessions will cover industry trends and opportunities, business planning, small business employ- ment, how people give your business an edge, and how to optimise workflow and automation to maximise profits.
Visitors can get ‘top tips’ for suc- cess from industry experts, listen in on exciting ‘fireside chats’ with some of the print and graphic communica- tions sector’s most influential leaders, and come away with valuable skills to improve their sales performance, meet their customers’ demands for more sustainable solutions, and look after the mental health of their col- leagues, families and friends.
IDEAL TIMING
All this, Harper says, is also ideally timed to help businesses capitalise on new opportunities.
“We’ve seen print work has been flowing back to Australia during the pandemic with customers recognising the value of reliable local supply,” he points out. “Optimising production is vital to create extra capacity and pro- vide the flexibility to diversify in the most profitable way.
“At the same time, Covid, and the more recent crisis in the Ukraine, has put supply chains under stress and, with lead times on equipment, systems and many consumable items
blowing out significantly, businesses need to be prepared.
“Where we used to look six or 12 months ahead, we now need to plan one, two or even five years into the future,” Harper says.
“Having said that, now is a great time to invest in new solutions, with rising energy costs making newer, more energy efficient systems well worth a look, and the soaring cost of petrol and transport giving busi- nesses a compelling reason to invest in the capability to keep total produc- tion in-house.”
Harper says that Australian busi- nesses can take advantage of the government’s instant asset write-off which continues until 30 June, and with the show straddling the end of financial year, investments can (with some caveats) be structured into either the 2021/22 or 2022/23 financial year.
“While those advantages don’t apply everywhere, the cost of borrowing across the entire region is still almost as cheap as it has ever been and, with interest rates set to continue their rise, locking in today’s rate on loans could be a wise move,” he explains.
“Again, suppliers and service pro- viders at the show will be able to help visitors forecast, identify trends, eval- uate potential investments, and advise on shipping times, stock holdings and finance options, so businesses can plan with confidence.”
ABOVE: The Label & Packaging Expo, co-located with PacPrint 2021 and the Visual Impact Expo, will be held at the MCEC in Melbourne from 28 June to 1 July.
RECONNECT WITH YOUR INDUSTRY
“After more than two years of travel and gathering restrictions, perhaps the most anticipated aspect of the show will be the opportunity to reconnect with industry colleagues and friends and, here again, there will be plenty of opportunities,” says Harper.
On 29 June, the show will stay open until 8pm to give businesses an extra opportunity to visit ‘out of hours’, with drinks and canapés served on the show floor. The following day will see the Women in Print Breakfast held in the morning and the 39th National Print Awards will be celebrated at a glittering Awards Dinner held at the Goldfields Theatre at the MCEC in the evening.
“It’s been too long since we were able to gather as an industry, and I know that print, label and packaging professionals from across the region are very much looking forward to the chance to review, rebuild and recon- nect in Melbourne,” he says. ■
The Label & Packaging Expo will co-locate with PacPrint and Visual Impact at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 28 June to 1 July, 2022. www.pacprint.com.au.
As one of the first post- Covid industry expos, this second iteration of the Label & Packaging Expo is one of the most eagerly anticipated ever.”