• Leigh Hopper (left), Paul Bartolo (top right) and Rob Brussolo (bottom right)
    Leigh Hopper (left), Paul Bartolo (top right) and Rob Brussolo (bottom right)
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Australia’s largest distributor of printable materials and consumables, Ball & Doggett, is strengthening its leadership team, with Leigh Hooper, Rob Brussolo and Paul Bartolo all taking new senior roles.

Leigh Hooper (pictured left) will take up the role as general manager – Labels & Packaging (L&P). The continuing growth in this market in terms of volume and technology is seen as a focal point for the business. Ball & Doggett says commitment to the development of sustainable packaging alternatives is a key platform for the company, with Hooper looking to continue the push with products covering the industrial, foodservice, carton board, plastic, flexible packaging sectors as well as the roll label market, all sectors where Ball & Doggett has substantial market presence.

Rob Brussolo (pictured top right) has been promoted to the role of general manager – Display & Visual (D&V). The D&V sector looks after all wide format products including roll, rigid materials and hardware accessories. With the acquisition of Access Paper a few years ago, Brussolo is looking forward to continued organic growth. Ball & Doggett says the signage market continues to evolve with greater emphasis on technology and the expectation to have a complete range of printable materials in stock and delivered on time is “fundamental to our success”.

Paul Bartolo (pictured bottom right) is to take charge as national manager – Digital Media (Small Format). The digital print market continues to forge ahead with next technologies emerging from the company’s OEM partners, with the market continuing to grow with greater focus on application-based solutions.

Bartolo has a long history in the small format digital papers business having lead the sales team in NSW for the past five years. The company says there is an extensive range of product solutions and services offered into the digital print market. Bartolo is keen to continue to build of money saving customer solutions such as i_consignment and the Aspire Rewards program. The company says both these solutions are “driving real dollar savings for our customers.”

 

Food & Drink Business

Family-owned chocolate maker, Haigh’s Chocolates, has opened its new $120 million production, warehouse and online fulfilment facility in South Australia, enabling the company to almost double its chocolate production.

Sydney Brewery says its acquisition of the brewing assets and long-term lease of the White Bay Brewing site in Rozelle, Sydney, will give the brewery capacity to launch new product lines and expand its bar presence.

Lark Distilling Co. has appointed Four Pillars Gin co-founder, Stuart Gregor, as its new managing director and CEO, taking effect from 1 January 2026. He will succeed Satya (Sash) Sharma, who is stepping down after being in the role since May 2023.