I have a theory: Foodtech Packtech day two

Foodtech Packtech - day two. My feet are sore and I am tired but I do have a new theory and it’s regarding engineers.

Foodtech Packtech rebounds with engineers; they are in their element. There are lots of interesting pieces of equipment with lots of switches, lights and impressive functionality - all grist to the engineer’s mill. But there are also problems for these engineers - not the least of which is, what to wear?

On the whole, engineers are vaguely aware of the concept of ‘fashion’ but they find it basically incomprehensible. After many years of trying they have given in and no longer endeavour to wear their favourite checked shorts, the striped shirt with the extra pockets that hold all their pens so nicely and their 1993 sports shoes (which still have a few good years in them!). Their wives’ pleading has been successful and they have got the message that this comfortable and practical combo is not considered appropriate for outings.

So, the outfit of choice for the engineer is a blue shirt. Younger ‘upmarket’ engineers are wearing a small check blue and white shirt, while others, who are slightly more conservative, adopt the blue and white stripe or just the plain pale blue.

They are happy - they can attend events secure in the knowledge that their attire won’t make their partners despair.

I love this show - I also love all the engineers. Firstly I can identify them by their shirts, which is very handy as they are almost invariably interesting to talk to. I can avoid the ‘sales’ people in their non-blue shirts and find out what is going on in the NZ food industry simply by chatting to people in blue shirts.

And there is a lot going on.

In typical NZ style, what is going on is world class, innovative and carefully hidden from the rest of the world. To quote one blue-shirted man today: “If I let someone know about this they’ll want to buy it and I’ll have to build another one”.

One of the largest apparent growth areas revealed by the engineers is the ready-meal and large-scale catering sectors. There are some very clever cooking systems, dispensing systems and packaging systems on display at Foodtech Packtech which all simplify and automate this growing area. If you are interested in developing or increasing your market share in this sector, all you need to do is seek out engineers wearing blue shirts.

Thursday 27 September is the last day of the show so you need to get down to the ABS Showgrounds rather speedily.