• The new AIP board, from left: Pierre Pienaar (AIP education director & chair Northern Region); Anthony Peyton (director & chair, Southern Region); Dr Carol Lawrence, national president; Joanne Cockerill (director & chair Central Region); Jason Field (associate, Northern Region); Nerida Kelton, AIP executive officer; George Ganzenmuller (associate director, Northern Region); Ralph Moyle (education co-ordinator); Craig Wellman (treasurer); Michael Grima (outgoing national president).


Absent: Brent du Preez, associate director Central Region; and Greg Roberts, associate director, Southern Region.
    The new AIP board, from left: Pierre Pienaar (AIP education director & chair Northern Region); Anthony Peyton (director & chair, Southern Region); Dr Carol Lawrence, national president; Joanne Cockerill (director & chair Central Region); Jason Field (associate, Northern Region); Nerida Kelton, AIP executive officer; George Ganzenmuller (associate director, Northern Region); Ralph Moyle (education co-ordinator); Craig Wellman (treasurer); Michael Grima (outgoing national president). Absent: Brent du Preez, associate director Central Region; and Greg Roberts, associate director, Southern Region.
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At the AIP AGM held at Auspack yesterday, the institute elected a new national president and announced its new board for 2017.

Dr Carol Lawrence was appointed AIP president, and PKN spoke to her shortly after the appointment was announced.

"I'm excited to have the opportunity to lead the AIP with the support of a highly experienced team of industry professionals heading up the regional divisions and the board," Dr Lawrence said.

"Our focus at the AIP is principally on education, and during my tenure I'll work with my team on continuing to develop our wide range of educational programs in the lead up to the National Conference next year.

"Our aim is to ensure we have educational and training options for packaging professionals to support every stage of their career development."

"I'm privileged in my role also to have access to a number of immediate past presidents, all of whom still play an active role in the institute and in the Australian packaging industry."

Dr Carol Lawrence has made a significant contribution to the labelling and packaging industries in Australia, with a career that spans over 20 years. A technical role at Jac Australia was enhanced by a background in chemistry, including a PhD in polymer chemistry, gained in the UK. Dr Lawrence has an understanding of adhesive properties combined with developments in the packaging industry that have led to opportunities in marketing and many product innovations.

Food & Drink Business

CCEP has completed a $39.7m manufacturing upgrade at its Kewdale facility in WA, installing a high-speed can production line that increases capacity by more than 40% and lifts production speeds to 1500 cans per minute.

Nearly 6 in 10 Aussies in food and beverage manufacturing believe their organisation is becoming less productive, despite continued investment in workplace technology, according to Argon & Co.

Every food, drink, personal care and household product made in Australia starts with an investment decision. A company chooses to replace a production line, automate a process or expand a plant. That choice is now made in a global market for capital, and Australia is struggling to compete. The question is simple. Will the next generation of manufacturing investment come here?