2022 APPMA Awards of Excellence winners announced

Winners of the 2022 Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) Awards of Excellence were announced on 18 May 2022 at the 2022 APPMA Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner, during AUSPACK 2022.

The APPMA Awards of Excellence is the national awards program for Australia’s packaging and processing industry, recognising excellence, innovation, leadership and best practice.

The awards this year were reshaped around four main points: recognition, celebration, inclusivity and education.

The winners are:

Australian Machinery Manufacturing Award — SME: Recognising Australian-based manufacturing, innovation and success of a product launched into the domestic and/or export market in the past three years (award sponsored by SMC): Winner is:

• Trimatt Systems – Trimatt Systems - CardLine 7000

Trimatt Systems

Australian Machinery Manufacturing Award — Corporate: Recognising Australian-based manufacturing, innovation and success of a product launched into the domestic and/or export market in the past three years (award sponsored by SMC). Winner is:

• Fibre King – ‘Little Packer’ Casepacker

The Fibre King team

Community Contribution Award: Recognising an organisation that demonstrates leadership and commitment to community wellbeing. This award recognises members’ industry-level contributions during the past two to three years. Winner is:

• Foodmach Pty Ltd – Project Med-Con

Foodmach won the APPMA Community Contribution Award for its Project Med-Con. Holding the award is (L-R) Tim Ford, CEO Earle Roberts and Suren Moodly.

Import & Distribution Machinery Award — SME: Recognising innovation and success in equipment launched in Australia in the past three years. Winner is:

• Packsize – The M1: Global Modular Architecture and Advanced Functionality

Packsize

Import & Distribution Machinery Award — Corporate: Recognising innovation and success in equipment launched in Australia in the past three years. Winner is:

• Foodmach Pty Ltd – Mengibar MassFlow Filler-Capper

Foodmach CEO Earle Roberts (left) with Mengibar sales manager Gabriel Chillarón Cortizo (right).

Packaging Design Innovation Award: Recognising design innovation and success as a result of a new idea or modification introduced into a packaging design. Winner is:

• GS1 Australia – 2DBarcodes on packaging by GS1: Welcome to the new dimension

Maria Palazzolo, CEO of GS1 Australia, accepting the APPMA Packaging Design Innovation Award for “2DBarcodes on packaging by GS1: Welcome to the new dimension”.

Sustainability Award: Focusing on environmental sustainability, such as recycling, food waste redistribution, environmentally friendly energy supply, and so on. This category incorporates sustainability projects recognising organisations showing leadership and commitment to environmentally sustainable business practices, through innovative solutions for new and existing market needs (award sponsored by Nord Drivesystems). Winner is:

• LACO Automation & Service – Circular Plastic Australia jvc - Recycling Plant

The LACO Automation & Service team

Emerging Leadership Award: For an individual who has been engaged in the Australian packaging and processing industry machinery industry for less than 10 years. This award recognises capability and leadership, whether in research, technical or business operations. Winners will have the opportunity of an ambassadorial role within the industry. Winners are:

• HMPS — Simon Czudek, Design Manager
• Rhima Australia — Saeed Mafi, Mechanical Engineer

Simon Czudek, Design Manager, HMPS (left), and Saeed Mafi, Mechanical Engineer, Rhima Australia (right), were both awarded the APPMA Emerging Leader Award for 2022.