Sydney-based tube manufacturer, Impact International, has just installed and commissioned a new five-layer extrusion line successfully, despite restrictions imposed by the current Covid-19 lockdown.
Impact International, based in the western Sydney suburb of Smithfield, has faced numerous challenges following the NSW government’s lockdown restrictions, which have affected the company’s staff. So, the commissioning of the new line from Breyer Extrusion in Germany has been a highlight for the team this month.
Speaking to PKN, managing director Aleks Lajovic said, “The new 5-layer line allows us to increase our production capacity of our award-winning range of sustainable tubes.”
“We can use our traditional materials, as well as our grades of sugar cane plastic and recycled plastic in the new line,” he explained.
“The separate layers allow us to add in recycled plastic and guarantee that the recycled material does not come into contact with the contents of the tube.”
Commenting on the challenges faced during installation, Lajovic said it was “very tough”.
“Normally, a technician would arrive to assist and direct us when the line is being installed and commissioned. A technician would typically stay with us for two weeks. In the current Covid climate, this could not happen, so we had a lot of Zoom meetings, WhatsApp messages and emails. I am very proud of how the installation went; our team did an amazing job.”
Lajovic said it was a difficult decision to make a large investment in the middle of a pandemic.
“I think I lost more sleep about making the right decision than I did during the installation process. We have been manufacturing tubes in Australia since 1958 and we are committed to manufacturing in Australia,” he said.
“This investment is part of our strategy to future proof our business. It helps us expand our offering of high quality packaging, manufactured in a sustainable manner and of course, proudly made in Australia.”
