At the FPLMA forum held in Melbourne last week, PIAA CEO Andrew Macaulay called on the packaging and printing industry to support the peak association and, in so doing, strengthen its lobbying power.
The Flexible Packaging and Label Manufacturers Association (FPLMA) held its annual forum and awards in Melbourne last week, attended by a broad spectrum of companies operating in both sectors.
Anthony Dalleore, FPLMA secretary and treasurer, told PKN the strong attendance at the Technical Forum culminated in 300 people attending the print awards dinner, highlighting the industry's support for the event.
"We structured the technical program to attract all levels within the workforce and this proved very successful over the two day conference."
A strong message about the value of industry supporting its representative associations came from Printing Industries Association (PIAA) CEO Andrew Macaulay. As PKN readers know, PIAA recently absorbed the Packaging Council of Australia and is now the chief lobbying body for both the packaging and printing industry.
"The printing and packaging sector has enormous power," Macaulay said.
He went on to emphasise that the association needs member support to achieve its lobbying goals, and expressed concern that printers and converters are underestimating the benefits of membership.
“At this time when the industry most needs a single coherent voice, the combination of sectoral convergence, driven by technology change, with declining margins of traditional operators, plus new entrants to the industry no longer barred by a need for trade skills, has created a market that no longer sees industry association membership as a requirement of participation.
“In fact, in many instances, association membership is seen as a cost that needs to be justified,” Macaulay noted.
Macaulay acknowledged that in recent years the PIAA has been dogged by internal turmoil, and had not been effective because it had stretched itself too thin. But he stressed the association is back on track, stable and ready to achieve results for the industries it represents.
“The biggest challenge for lobbying right now is making sure we’re engaged with our membership. The printing and packaging sector has enormous power; we are literally in every single electorate in the country. There are big printing and packaging businesses everywhere, and our politicians need to know that and listen to that.
“Your voice is only as strong as the support behind it,” he said.
PKN collaborated with Print21 in the compilation of this article. You can read Jake Nelson's full report here.
