The APPMA Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner was attended by 450 packaging and processing industry professionals, who gathered for the industry's night of nights to recognise this year's winners: Foodmach, Fibre King, GS1, Packsize, Trimatt Systems and Laco Automation were victorious, with emerging leaders from HMPS and Rhima also recognised.
The APPMA Awards of Excellence is the national awards program for Australia’s packaging and processing industry, recognising excellence, innovation, leadership and best practice.
It was a momentous evening, after a well attended day on the showfloor, and everyone was in high spirits. (See our photo gallery above, more images to follow.)
APPMA chairman Mark Dingley said, “Winners in each of the eight categories were announced in front of a sold-out room, which was the perfect way to celebrate the best in Australia’s manufacturing industry. After being postponed from last year, the much-anticipated event was a resounding success and wonderful celebration of the industry’s achievements.”
It was a night to remember on many levels, with attendees sharing a poignant moment when, during the acceptance speech for the Community Contribution Award (see below), Foodmach CEO Earle Roberts paid tribute to Peter Marks, who passed away last year, and whose brainchild the Med-Con project was.
The 2022 Award winners are:
Australian Machinery Manufacturing Award - SME: recognising Australian-based manufacturing, innovation and success of a product launched into the domestic and/or export market in the past three years (award sponsored by SMC): Winner is:
- Trimatt Systems – Trimatt Systems - CardLine 7000
Australian Machinery Manufacturing Award – Corporate: recognising Australian-based manufacturing, innovation and success of a product launched into the domestic and/or export market in the past three years (award sponsored by SMC). Winner is:
- Fibre King – ‘Little Packer’ Casepacker
Community Contribution Award: recognising an organisation that demonstrates leadership and commitment to community wellbeing. This award recognises members’ industry-level contributions during the past two to three years. Winner is:
- Foodmach Pty Ltd – Project Med-Con
Import & Distribution Machinery Award – SME: recognising innovation and success in equipment launched in Australia in the past three years. Winner is:
- Packsize – The M1: Global Modular Architecture and Advanced Functionality
Import & Distribution Machinery Award – Corporate: recognising innovation and success in equipment launched in Australia in the past three years. Winner is:
- Foodmach Pty Ltd – Mengibar MassFlow Filler-Capper
Packaging Design Innovation Award: recognising design innovation and success as a result of a new idea or modification introduced into a packaging design. Winner is:
- GS1 Australia – 2DBarcodes on packaging by GS1: Welcome to the new dimension
Sustainability Award: focusing on environmental sustainability, such as recycling, food waste redistribution, environmentally friendly energy supply, and so on. This category incorporates sustainability projects recognising organisations showing leadership and commitment to environmentally sustainable business practices, through innovative solutions for new and existing market needs (award sponsored by Nord Drivesystems). Winner is:
- LACO Automation & Service – Circular Plastic Australia jvc - Recycling Plant
Emerging Leadership Award: for an individual who has been engaged in the Australian packaging and processing industry machinery industry for less than 10 years. This award recognises capability and leadership, whether in research, technical or business operations. Winners will have the opportunity of an ambassadorial role within the industry. Winners are:
- HMPS – Simon Czudek, Design Manager
- Rhima Australia – Saeed Mafi, Mechanical Engineer
The Awards of Excellence this year were reshaped around four main points: recognition, celebration, inclusivity and education.
Dingley said, “The 2022 APPMA Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner, with well-known entertainer Tim Campbell as MC, was a brilliant celebration, and the APPMA would like to thank our sponsors, without whom we would not be able to put on an event of this calibre.
“On behalf of the APPMA Board, I congratulate every winner for their achievements and every finalist – indeed every business that submitted an entry – on their efforts. The APPMA encourages everyone to spend some time looking at the winners’ and finalists’ entries on the AUSPACK show floor.
“The exhibition is still running today and tomorrow, and I encourage anyone who has not been, or registered, to do so. Come and experience and gain from the innovation and knowledge in Australia’s manufacturing industry at the largest packaging and processing machinery exhibition in the southern hemisphere: AUSPACK 2022.”
