• Robert Becher: 29 December 1969 - 17 February 2024
    Robert Becher: 29 December 1969 - 17 February 2024
Close×

Industry figure Robert Becher, managing director of food processing solutions supplier INOX, and director on the APPMA Board, passed away on Saturday 17 February.

The Australian Packaging & Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) issued this statement to its members today:

"It is with overwhelming sadness that we advise the tragic passing of Robert Becher, APPMA Director, on Saturday 17 February 2024.  

"Rob joined the APPMA Board in October 2019 and has played a significant role in uniting the Processing and Packaging industry during this time, including the development of APPEX, which sadly he will not get the chance to experience.

"Rob was a member of the APPEX Working Group throughout his time on the board, and brought great passion and experience to the group, his legacy and drive to unite the industry will be felt throughout the inaugural show.

"Rob was a positive and supportive contributor to the APPMA team, a successful, innovative, and respected business owner and managing director of INOX, and more importantly a kind and friendly individual who will be sadly missed by all. The board will miss his personality as a director, and miss sharing stories about common interests, such as his love for music, which he indulged in during his spare time. 

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Rob’s family, friends, and work colleagues at this time."

Robert Becher is survived by his son Brayden Becher, father Helmut Becher, mother Helga Becher, sister Annette Becher and his partner Elis Crewes.

Funeral arrangements will be communicated by APPMA in due course, for those industry colleagues who wish to attend.

Food & Drink Business

The livestock cycle is about to do something Global AgriTrends' Simon Quilty has never seen before, and the consequences run well past the saleyard. Several of the world’s major cattle producing countries are rebuilding at the same time, Australia is entering its own rebuild, and the sheep flock has already passed its tipping point. For anyone whose raw material is an animal, the next three years are the tight part of the cycle.

Companies developing the next generation of food, ingredients and biomanufacturing now have access to a food-grade pilot-scale precision fermentation facility in Australia.

Synlait Milk has reported a $75.4 million net loss for FY26, but a return to operational stability in the second half delivered a sharp improvement in earnings as the dairy processor continued its turnaround.