MACHINERY MATTERS

A RESOURCE BROUGHT TO YOU BY AUSTRALIA’S PEAK INDUSTRY BODY FOR MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS OF PACKAGING AND PROCESSING MACHINERY AND ALLIED COMPONENTS.

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MACHINERY MATTERS APPMA NEWS

Message from the Chairman I

t almost doesn’t seem possible, but with the winter solstice behind us we’re already halfway through the year. Shortest day aside, the APPMA has already begun longer-term planning for Packaging and Processing Week 2021.

After a highly successful Melbourne event in 2019, the challenge is now to outdo it. This is not just about bettering numbers – the 8000 trade visitors, largest floor space ever, highest international exhibitors, most P&P week activities – it’s very much about building on and bettering the value to exhibitors and attendees, and the benefits delivered to all.

While it’s two years away, the team is already focused on how to achieve this goal for Packaging and Processing Week 2021 in Sydney.

MEMBER DINNERSThe APPMA member dinners are an excellent place to network and discuss, in a convivial forum, the various aspects of the industry that affect members’ businesses.

Our first event was in early July in Sydney. I think many found the presentation by Paul Allen about taking back margin to be good timing with the new financial year. Paul’s a leading Australian authority in this area, and his interactive approach allowed members to work out not only how much profit they are unintentionally losing, but where and why.

Our next two member dinners will be held in Melbourne at the MCG on Tuesday, 10 September followed by a Brisbane dinner on Tuesday, 12 November. Both will run from 6-9pm. Guest speakers and a Brisbane venue will be announced soon.

AGM & DIRECTOR NOMINATIONSA reminder that the AGM will be held at the MCG before the Melbourne members’ dinner on 10 September. I encourage every member to be there. This is your Association, and the AGM is the time to hear about how the APPMA is performing and our plans for the future.

This is also the time of year members are provided the opportunity to choose who represents them on the APPMA Board. This is the first year the new constitution comes into effect, whereby all members have the opportunity to vote electronically one week before the AGM. Director nominations are open, with all nominations due by 29 July. If you have any questions – either regarding nominations or in general – please do not hesitate to contact the APPMA office.

2020-21 BUSINESS PLANNING Business plans for calendar years 2020 and 2021 indicate a very exciting time ahead for the APPMA.

So far we’re working on expanding industry networking and educational events, while increasing services and member interaction. As mentioned in our last Member Update, we’re also working on broadening our awards and recognition programs – so stay tuned for more announcements in the near future.

Please enjoy this issue of Machinery Matters, which is brought to you by the APPMA in an exclusive partnership with PKN Packaging News. I encourage all members to make full use of the opportunities for publicity and learning in these pages.

MARK DINGLEY,  CHAIRMAN

For APPMA general manager Michael Moran, this was his first ProPak Asia experience, and he tells PKN he was impressed with the quality of the show as a platform to

connect to the region’s rapidly-expanding packaging and processing industries.

“I found it provided a great opportunity to connect with and support our exhibiting APPMA members, both on the Australian Pavilion and those who were exhibiting elsewhere in the show halls.”

APPMA was a sponsor of the PackagingTechAsia zone featuring a range of international suppliers of packaging solutions for the food and drink industry.

The Australian Pavilion was located within that zone, showcasing the expertise of APPMA members and first-time exhibitors Australis Engineering and Lantech Australasia, and repeat exhibitors Rhima Australia, Profile Solutions, INOX Australia, HMPS, and Fibre King. Other APPMA members Gold Peg, Heat and Control, Metz Australia, Moisttech/Maselli Asia Pacific, and tna had their own stands.

On the APPMA stand, Moran said he had the chance to engage with companies who are exploring how best to enter the Australian market and provide them with member information and support services to connect with APPMA members who may be in a position to provide agency or distributor services.

“APPMA also enjoyed a constant stream of positive feedback regarding AUSPACK 2019 and all the events delivered during Packaging and

Processing Week 2019 in Melbourne, which was very pleasing,” he said.

One of the highlights for Australians at the show was the networking drinks event hosted on the Rhima stand and co-sponsored by Rhima and Australis Engineering.

“The networking event was very well attended providing the opportunity for all Australian participants and visitors to engage in a relaxed environment,” Moran said.

Also of great value at ProPak Asia, he said, was the opportunity to network with other like-minded associations attending the show.

“The VIP dinner, put on by show organiser Informa Markets, was an ideal occasion to engage with many of these valuable contacts while enjoying a Thai meal experience and cultural entertainment,” Moran said.

“Overall, the growth in Australian participation within the show and resulting success in the South East Asian markets continues to provide the opportunity for the APPMA to offer additional promotional and support services to ensure the positive trend continues,” Moran said.

“The APPMA is committed to exploring how we as an Association can provide additional support and services to APPMA exhibiting members and attendees.”

For more news on APPMA members at ProPak Asia, see PKN’s report on pages 54-57.

AGM & MEMBERS DINNER10 SEPTEMBERMCG MELBOURNEAPPMA’s 2019 AGM will be held before the members dinner.

WHAT’S COMING UP

FAR LEFT: Linh Bui of HMPS, and Peter Gustafson of Australis Engineering.

LEFT: Between meetings: Michael Moran mans the APPMA stand.

BELOW: Familiar faces in faraway places: Daisuke Shibazaki, Thomas Mitchell, Ricky Ong, Michael Moran, and Julian Horsley.

BOTTOM: Crowded stand: Australian networking drinks hosted by Rhima.

“After a highly successful Melbourne event in 2019, the challenge is now to outdo it.”

PLANNING FOR 2021 AND EXCITING TIMES AHEAD Expanding opportunities in Asia

APPMA displayed in the Australian pavilion at ProPak Asia 2019, which took place at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre in June, and saw a number of association members in attendance and exhibiting.

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MEMBER NEWS MEMBER NEWS

COBOT CO ADDS MISSING PIECE OF IIOT PUZZLEUniversal Robots has become the sixth company to sign on to the Open IIoT panel, joining forces with APPMA members SMC Corporation and Nord Drivesystems as well as Balluff, Beckhoff Automation, and ZI-Argus.

The company cites the need for factories of the future to be smart, and the focus on Industry 4.0, as its motivation for joining the Open IIoT (industrial internet of things) panel.

James McKew, regional sales director for Universal Robots in the Asia Pacific, says, “It is an honour for us to join Open IIoT. This cements our commitment to Australia, and allows us to harness our knowledge of the industry on a public platform. Over the years, we have worked hard to ensure that cobots are accessible to all.

“In addition, the rapid adoption of collaborative robotics has created an ecosystem of end-of-arm effectors and the companies that developed them. SMC Corporation is one of our global UR+ Partners, and we are pleased to be joining them and the other Open IIoT foundation members.”

Universal Robots’ pioneering work commercialising the world’s first cobots (collaborative robots) has seen the company carve out a niche for itself in the world of advanced automation and robotics.

Helping to solve unanswered questions around Industry 4.0, and dispelling myths, the team at Universal Robots hope to further educate audiences on cobots and their numerous benefits.

McKew believes that Universal Robots is the missing piece to the Open IIoT puzzle, “We look forward to what the future holds, and have no doubt that this will be a fruitful partnership,” he said.

SMC WIRELESS SOLUTION IS NICE FOR COPRICESMC has supplied a new wireless solution to boost palletising at a major rice company. CopRice, a subsidiary of SunRice, operates three stockfeed mills turning rice bran, rice brokens, and rice hulls into equine feed, pet food, and cat litter.

When it needed to increase the productivity of its robotic palletiser, it turned to SMC, says Dawid Croucamp, robotic and automation engineer for SunRice and CopRice.

“We made use of a manual spacer to perform this process previously and looked to SMC to help automate this process for improved efficiencies.

“In terms of the application, the robot gripper needed to adjust the gripper tines automatically for each SKU as it was being palletised. The problems that we faced in the past were a limited number of inputs and outputs, expensive fieldbus modules and failed solutions due to vibrations on the gripper,” he said.

SMC supplied a new wireless fieldbus system, the EX600-W, as part of a customised solution; the EX600-W is ethernet/IP and Profinet compatible, can withstand electric noise and, says SMC, is suitable for harsh industrial environments.

The system fulfilled all of CopRice’s requirements, according to Angus Christian, area sales manager for SMC ANZ.

“Based on the customer’s requirements, the EX600-W was the perfect solution for this project. We had only recently launched it in Australia, and we were all pleased with the outcome during the initial trial phase,” he said.

Croucamp was pleased with the affordability and ease of use the EX600-W offered, as well as SMC’s sales and technical support.

“The expandable option on the slave manifold allows us to easily add more valves or IO units in the future as needed,” he said. “In time to come, we plan to add more IO units and valves to the EX600-W to replace all the existing fieldbus IOs.”

DIVERSECO RESTRUCTURES IN MEASURED MOVEThe six distinct businesses of industrial measurement and automation operation Diverseco have joined together in a strategic restructure, and will now all operate under the Diverseco brand as of 1 July.

Previously, Diverseco had comprised six companies that traded under the brand names AccuWeigh, Robot Technologies-Systems Australia, AccuPak, AccuOnboard, SCACO, and Ultrahawke.

Brenton Cunningham, CEO Diverseco, said the restructuring was in response to customer feedback, and the recognition that to grow the Diverseco group of companies from a mid-$40 million to a $100 million dollar business would require major organisational change.

“Our customers wanted us to attain a deeper understanding of their business needs, improved access to our broad skill base, subject matter experts,

and full scope of solutions,” he said. “The decision to amalgamate each of these companies into one organisation, Diverseco, will enable us to adopt a more proactive, more coordinated response to our customers’ challenges, and the measurement and automation capabilities they need to acquire to remain competitive and forge ahead in the marketplace,” Cunningham said.

Each business unit will now share operating systems and processes; assets and resources; cross-skilling technical teams; and adopt unified mission under one brand and one trading name.

Diverseco’s core competencies span services and products involved in the delivery and ongoing support of weighing and dimensional measurement, robotics automation, end-of-line packaging, and product inspection systems.

MARKEM-IMAJE MAKES SUPPLY CHAINS SMARTER

Markem-Imaje has unveiled a range of “packaging intelligence” products to ease manufacturers through the supply chain digitalisation process.

Represented in regional Victoria, regional NSW, and South Australia by Foodmach, Markem-Imaje has developed what it calls scalable, end-to-end solutions which are seamlessly integrated to help manufacturers maximise the benefits from digitalisation.

Product tracking creates unique fingerprints and aggregates data so products are seamlessly trackable at item, case and pallet-levels, delivering reliability and safety for distributors, resellers and users. Not only does this make

recalls more efficient, it also identifies product diversion and helps prove counterfeiting.

Promotional coding makes it easier to use packaging as a way to run ‘always on’ digital promotions. It removes need for costly real-time controllers and hardware and unique codes are printed on demand, even at high speeds.

Line and data management improves data accuracy and line efficiency by enabling seamless manual and automated data and information processing, marking and coding, including full integration with third-party systems such as ERP and MES.

Pallet tracking enables seamless pallet tracking through the automatic application of compliant tracking labels containing real-time data and no impact on production rates.

Coding integrity minimises rework and scrap by identifying product coding errors in real time so manufacturers can address issues before too many products have been incorrectly marked.

Packaging integrity avoids waste from pre-printed packaging material mistakes by confirming codes are being printed on the material in the right orientation.

The solutions are based on the information management system, CoLOS, which to date has seen over 17,000 installations worldwide.

EARLE ROBERTS TAKES TOP JOB AT FOODMACH

Foodmach chief customer officer Earle Roberts has been appointed CEO as of 1 July, after delivering a string of recent successes for the company.

Roberts, former CEO of Fibre King, has served as CCO since March 2017, managing marketing and service as well as sales. He brings more than 25 years of experience to his new role, and says he is excited about Foodmach’s prospects and the opportunities for staff.

“Truly great businesses value their employees as much as their customers. We’re equally focused on our team members’ job satisfaction and skill development as we are on the development of smart factories and increased profitability for customers. My philosophy is that you can’t have one without the other,” he said.

Roberts has boosted Foodmach’s fortunes since taking up the role of CCO, including a recent hat trick at the APPMA Awards of Excellence in March, where the company collected awards for Best

New Product, Customer Collaboration, and Best Imported Product.

“The industry needs to be brave to embrace innovation. There is a risk, but the commercial advantage is worth it,” he said as he accepted the Best New Product award.

Peter Marks, Foodmach director, spoke highly of Roberts’ leadership expertise and said he would be a valuable asset in the role of CEO.

“During his tenure as CCO, Earle conducted a strategic review of the business, successfully relaunched the Foodmach brand, revitalised the company’s customer-focused service model and extended our product range.

“Earle has the qualifications, commitment and leadership credentials we’re looking for. Foodmach has a very clear vision for its future and we’re establishing an exceptional leadership team to get us there,” said Marks.

Phillip Biggs, fellow director, added that Roberts is a “strong, dynamic and values-driven leader” with a good track record, who performs well even during tough economic times.

“His deep understanding of people, packaging lines, innovation development and the industry and the markets in which we operate will continue to be invaluable,” said Biggs.

Foodmach’s executive directors are set to retain their existing leadership roles.

ABOVE: Delivering success: Earle Roberts, CEO, Foodmach.

ABOVE: Markem-Imaje’s Packaging Intelligence solutions enable digital supply chains.

PROFILE SOLUTIONS HAS SOMETHING NEW UP THE SLEEVEProfile Solutions has brought a new Chinese sleeving machine to Australia and New Zealand. The Shanghai Sousong packaging machine is a reliable and high-value system, says MD Thomas Mitchell, and is available in both electric and steam shrink tunnel configurations.

“These units made in China are premium machines made for sleeving a wide range of bottle shapes and types, with models from one hundred to six hundred bottles per minute.

“They also have some multi-head models and special models for cap sealing, for instance in three- and five-gallon water bottles,” said Mitchell.

The machines feature Siemens PLCs and carry the CE safety rating. According to Mitchell, they are easy to adjust with a quick changeover, and include high-quality electrical components.

“If you want to sleeve containers, and want a reliable machine that won’t break the bank, the base model with sleever and shrink tunnel, including freight, is less than $50,000 AUD delivered. This unit can label up to one hundred containers per minute,” Mitchell said.

The robotic palletiser at CopRice was upgraded with an SMC wireless solution.

Can do: Brenton Cunningham, CEO of the newly restructured Diverseco.

RIGHT: The sleever can handle between one and six hundred bottles per minute.

BELOW: Shanghai Sousong packaging machines can sleeve a variety of bottle shapes and sizes.

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Missing piece: Hand in

end-of-arm effector towards

a fruitful partnership.

NORD Drivesystems has partnered with system integrator SAGE Automation, Nukon, and SA-based independent recycling depot Container Deposit Systems (CDS) to roll out new recycling technology across Queensland.

CASE STUDY NORD DRIVESYSTEMS MEMBER PROFILE CURRIE GROUP

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NORD and SAGE get smart in war on waste

FAR LEFT: Paul Johnson, GM of SAGE Automation, with one of the semi Auto Return Terminals (ART) destined for Queensland.

LEFT: NORD drive with incremental encoder on the motor for positioning.

BELOW: The intelligent vision camera system allows consumers to deposit cans, plastic bottles and glass in any condition, for a 10c per-container refund.

The semi Auto Return Terminal (ART) installed at recycling sites around Queensland enabled CDS to process 32,000 containers per day in its first week

of operation, since increasing to 80,000 per day across five sites.

Consumers can return drink containers for a 10c refund, no matter their condition, thanks to algorithms programmed into SAGE’s vision system that can identify anything the human eye can.

“We’ve spent a lot of time making improvements. In the past, other systems relied on reading bar codes and this created problems in identifying products that had been crushed, folded or broken.

Currie Group is celebrating 70 years in the printing and packaging industry this winter. The one-time printing engineering enterprise is today recognised for the

stellar line-up of market-leading brands and technologies it represents. It no longer sells sheetfed offset presses, despite half a century of tradition in the field. Rather, it has almost become synonymous with the HP Indigo brand of digital presses for printing and packaging applications. Known as the leading digital press technology, the HP Indigo brand enjoys unprecedented market dominance in the region, thanks in no small way to the indefatigable efforts of Currie Group. Across digital labels and packaging production, HP Indigo and Currie Group dominate the region, with digital solutions for labels, flexibles and carton print production.

This is complemented by an impressive range of other print production technologies from Horizon finishing equipment and Scodix digital embellishment to OMET narrow / mid web flexographic presses and AB Graphic web converting.

Currie Group’s staff complement of more than 100 industry professionals covers every aspect of printing from sales, service and business advice. Building on this tradition of service and integrity, it engages with both long-term and more recent customers. It is continuing to set the standard of successful transformation for the new printing industry of the 21st century.

Eponymous industry supplier and APPMA member Currie Group is celebrating 70 years in the business this year. Patrick Howard reports.

Currie Group is the paramount example of a ‘new era’ industry supplier company. Building on a rich legacy of engineering it has not only weathered the transformations of the market, it has facilitated its customers in changing their business models with equipment, service, training and support, to enable them to meet the challenges and enjoy the opportunities of the new digital world.

LEGENDARY LEADERSHIPDavid Currie, executive chairman and son of the founder, has survived and thrived through some of the most turbulent and challenging decades in the history of the printing and packaging industries.

The 68-year-old is still on deck, an active and successful executive chairman, who continues to lead from the front. He takes pride in being engaged in all the major deals of the digital press and print finishing equipment that are the foundation of the company’s business. Recognised by many of his long-term customers as a grey eminence of the industry, he is sometimes flattered when received into their businesses as an honoured guest.

“They seem pleased to see me. I guess if you stay around long enough you become some kind of fount of wisdom,” he smiles. “I was up at a customer’s place in Queensland recently and he took great pride in showing me around his business.

I think he figures that if someone can stay around in the business as long as I have, they must know what they’re doing.”

David Currie is far removed from the stereotype of the figurehead leader. He is part of the operating team of his company, ready to step in whenever his unique contribution can help. He makes himself available to staff and customers as he always has and if he’s wound back his legendary work rate, he’s still at the forefront of Currie Group’s activities.

“I don’t put in as many hours as I used to and I guess I’m a bit more of a grumpy old thinker these days. But I’ll still talk to my customers at any time of the day, night, or weekend. I still go and sell a lot of machines personally.”

His son, Will Currie, is now in the business as account manager in NSW. You just know it gives David no end of satisfaction. He is always first to recognise the founding achievements of his own father, William ‘Bill’ Currie. It seems Currie Group is likely to prove an enduring dynasty.

Mark Daws, director Labels and Packaging at the company says, “It is a fantastic achievement. I am proud to be part of this iconic Australian owned business. Currie Group has the widest range of printing and converting technologies in its portfolio, and we will continue to offer our customers access to some of the latest and most innovative technologies in the print and packaging industry.”

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Currie Group reaches 70 year milestone

Thanks to the smart vision system, this is now a thing of the past,” said Paul Johnson, general manager at SAGE.

“We are already working on an upgrade which will go as far as to recognise brands. This once again aligns to our motto of ‘how can this be done better’.”

To help accomplish this, SAGE partnered with NORD Drivesystems, which included an incremental encoder on the motor for positioning. This system is the result of a strong partnership with SAGE, said Vinod Pillai, South Australian sales manager for NORD.

“This particular encoder ensures that materials are accurately positioned at the pneumatic blower to execute the operation efficiently.

“We’ve established a great working relationship with SAGE, and we’ve been flexible and innovative in our approach to their unique automation requirements,” said Pillai.

According to Johnson, SAGE is satisfied with the over 300 custom-made units installed to client specifications and budget.

“NORD has been a fantastic technology partner and they are just like one of the team now. When we talk development and innovation, they are part of the group. We have a very close working relationship and I love the fact that they hold local stock in Melbourne and are committed to Australian manufacturing,” he said.

FAR LEFT: The building where the business began, seven decades ago.

LEFT: Executive chairman and well-known industry figure, David Currie.

For all of your packaging and processing machinery and allied components answers email appma@appma.com.auAs at June 2018

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