• APPMA members made a strong showing at Hort Connections. [Images courtesy of A & D Weighing, Proseal, Rhima, Matthews Australasia]
    APPMA members made a strong showing at Hort Connections. [Images courtesy of A & D Weighing, Proseal, Rhima, Matthews Australasia]
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The recent Hort Connections Conference & Exhibition in Brisbane saw the Australian Processing & Packaging Machinery Association in attendance to support its participating members.

In addition to providing direct member services and events, APPMA is committed to developing relationships with other industry associations and service providers with the aim of further promoting and enhancing members’ business interests and the wider industry.

So says APPMA CEO Michael Moran, citing the recent Hort Connections Conference and Exhibition run by AUSVEG in Brisbane as a case in point.

“HORT Connections showcased the latest research, technologies, and innovations in horticulture, with a number of APPMA member companies exhibiting. It was great to meet up again with the AUSVEG team while also supporting our members,” he said.

APPMA members exhibiting included Case Packaging Systems, A&D Australasia, Multivac, Matthews Australasia, Omni, Opal, Propak Industries, Proseal, Result Group, Rhima, Summit Machinery, Tomra, Ulma, and Visy.

“Key themes through the conference and on display included the changing retail landscape, food safety, supply chain improvements and innovation and sustainability within horticulture,” Moran said, adding his congratulations to the AUSVEG the organisers for “putting on a great show which was very well attended”.

Food & Drink Business

Australian Vintage has secured a $128 million debt refinancing through to March 2028, with an option to extend a further year to 2029, as the McGuigan wines owner reports a significant second-half cash turnaround and upgraded sales momentum heading into FY27.

Endeavour Group has used its first investor day since demerging from Woolworths to lay out a three-year transformation plan targeting $300 million in cost savings, a scaled-back dividend payout, and the exit of most of its winery and vineyard portfolio.

The winners of the 2026 International Wine Challenge (IWC) have been selected, with Australia performing incredibly well. Beresford Estate and Penfolds were singled out, receiving the top International Trophy in the Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon categories respectively.