Australasian metal packaging supplier Jamestrong has appointed former Colorpak MD Alex Commins as its new CEO effective 18 September 2017.
A well-known and respected industry leader, Commins stepped out of the industry for a year following the sale of his family owned ASX-listed business Colorpak to Graphic Packaging International in 2016.
Representing the Jamestrong board of directors, Joan Wei [MD of the company which owns Jamestrong - Shanghai and Yuanglong Investment Company] said: “We are pleased to have Alex Commins join us in the chief executive role. Jamestrong is committed to working with the best people in industry to deliver value-added packaging solutions.
"Alex brings a wealth of customer, business and strategy development experience to Jamestrong. We are optimistic that he will lead us to the next phase of growth.”
Commins led his company through an ASX listing, the acquisition of Carter Holt Harvey, and ultimately, to its successful sale to global force in the folding cartonboard market, Graphic Packaging International.
Speaking to the industry shortly after the sale, Commins said that one thing he had learned in his time at the helm was that as a leader "you need to be prepared to change and that the pace of change will not necessarily be dictated by you".
Commins takes over the Jamestrong leadership from current managing director John Bigley, who leaves the business after almost seven years.
Bigley presided over the company's recent plant expansion and investment in metal printing technology. He made a significant contribution to the wider industry, including serving as the president of the Aerosol Association of Australia during his tenure.
“On behalf of all of Jamestrong, we thank John for his contribution to the business and wish him well in his future endeavours,” Wei said.
Commins told PKN that after a year off he's excited to be back in packaging. It's an industry he knows well, albeit that metal packaging is a different sector to the folding cartonboard, and he is confident it's a market where he can bring his expertise to play. (As an interesting aside, one of his first jobs fresh out of university was for Heinz, and he relates that he has a strong recollection of the cans 'clattering' around the factory floor.)
"After 12 years in the public eye in a listed company, I'm looking forward to working for a private company where what you do flies under the radar," he said.
Commins was also attracted to the role because it's a company whose shareholders are keen to grow the business, and have an entrepreneurial approach akin to his own.
"Jamestrong has made a significant investment in printing technology and manufacturing infrastructure in the last three years. My focus in the immediate future will be to leverage that capital investment to grow the business," he said.
Commenting on challenges facing the metal packaging industry, Commins said commoditisation would be a key challenge in this sector, as witnessed in other sectors like paperboard.
"That said, Jamestrong has established itself as a leading metal packaging supplier to some of Australia and New Zealand’s best-known brands across the food, personal care, aerosols and household products markets. The business will continue to maintain a point of difference through innovation and 'best in class' manufacturing standards," Commins said.
“Jamestrong has an important role to play in the innovation and development of metal packaging in Australasia and the broader region. I am excited and honoured to be charged with the responsibility to lead the business into its next chapter of growth.”
