The formalities are now complete and the Packaging Council of Australia (PCA) is to be absorbed by Printing Industries Association of Australia (Printing Industries).
At an EGM of the PCA held in Melbourne today (16 August 2017), the motion was unanimously passed to “wind up the Packaging Council of Australia in an orderly and legal manner, and to transfer the activities, intellectual properties and interests to the Printing Industries Association of Australia”.
As previously reported on this website, the PCA had reached a tipping point, and without substantial industry funding and support it had to find another way forward.
Andrew Macaulay, CEO of Printing Industries and David Carter, CEO of PCA, have issued a joint statement announcing that all formalities are now complete and the Packaging Council will officially join Printing Industries.
“We are really excited about the joining of the two organisations, being able to deliver valuable services to packaging businesses and to represent their voice in advocating on behalf of industry. This is about empowering the packaging sector within Printing Industries. The intent is that the sector will be represented on the Printing Industries board,” Macaulay said.
“The convergence of technologies means that many businesses are exposed to printing and packaging together. The sectors are similarly impacted by government policy and process where our advocacy efforts are achieving results, and there are common requirements such as a solution to workplace relations queries and the desire to learn through events and network with industry influencers. Printing Industries is well positioned to cater to these needs in an efficient manner,” Macaulay said.
He maintains that a key motivating factor for many packaging businesses to support the change is Printing Industries track record for raising the profile and understanding of the industry at a state and federal government level.
"Energy security and affordability is a serious concern in the sector, and packaging members have expressed their desire to become involved in our advocacy work, which we wholeheartedly welcome,” Macauley said.
David Carter, who takes on a role with Printing Industries as Director of Industry Practices, said: “We are proud of the achievements of the Packaging Council, including our student and industry awards, our advocacy efforts, and the representation we have provided on numerous industry committees such as FSANZ, the Australian Packaging Covenant Council, and the National Packaging Covenant Industry Association Committee. We expect these achievements will continue to build as a result of joining Printing Industries.”
