Take your walking shoes to AUSPACK PLUS

AUSPACK PLUS at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, with the AIP forum next door at the Convention Centre, is entering its third day. There is still time to visit with the exhibition staying open until 4 pm Friday. But be warned, you need some walking shoes. There are a record number of exhibitors and to see them all you will walk a long way.

I have to say it is worthwhile. AUSPACK started as a 'trade show' for the packaging industry and it still is. However, as the majority of packaging in Australia revolves around the food industry and as the divide between packaging and processing continues to blur, the event has morphed into a packaging and food processing show.

I think this is the eighth AUSPACK I have attended and during this time the biggest change has been in automation and services. Years ago you saw beautiful pieces of equipment to covet. Now you still see the beautiful equipment (stainless steel is rather lovely) but it comes with extras. The vendors can now integrate the equipment into your line, have all the machinery talk to each other to smooth out operational hiccups and also give you all the data you need to assess your process and profitability.

In fact, the amount of data you can generate is frightening - in many cases you need help to select only the information you want so you don't become overwhelmed.

The show isn't all about big equipment and automation - also generating interest are smaller pilot-sized pieces which are suitable for smaller and start-up companies and also for larger companies wanting to trail new concepts. They are pretty nifty and offer lots of features that were once the province of top-of-the-line models only.

If you're near Melbourne it's worth a trip to Jeff's shed.