“We’re one industry; it’s time to show it.” With those words, peak body the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA), has announced its flagship exhibition AUSPACK is transitioning into an all-of-industry event: APPEX – Australasian Processing & Packaging Expo.
APPMA chairman Mark Dingley revealed the news at the APPMA Awards of Excellence gala dinner 18 May, when winners of the national awards programme for Australia’s packaging and processing industry were announced.
APPMA has run AUSPACK, since 1985 and the association says it is more than just a packaging-only exhibition, but now “a show aimed at encompassing the total processing and packaging sector – from machinery, ancillary equipment, materials, packaging, and food processing, right through to industry services. Now is the right time to truly bring everyone together across the spectrum of processing and packaging into one show.
“APPEX will be one exhibition for the industry, run by the industry.”
Dingley claimed the development of APPEX had strong industry support.
Tania Carey, GM of Food Processing Equipment Australia & New Zealand, said: “We had never thought joining APPMA until we learned about these changes. This is a great change for the industry in Australia and one we believe will set future expos on an exciting new path.”
Geoff Bourke, MD of LINCO Food Systems, said, “Linco is excited to see AUSPACK develop and embrace the whole of processing and packaging into a single, all-of-industry event.”
Dingley said APPEX would run in March 2024, and every three years thereafter. The event will be anchored in Melbourne.
“APPEX being run by the industry means that exhibitors, APPMA members and key players will all have a strong voice in the show’s development. APPMA will continue to reinvest the exhibition’s profits to further support and develop the processing and packaging industry, Australia wide, and with more on offer for visitors, the Australian marketplace overall will benefit,” he added.
APPEX ’24 will be held in Melbourne from 12-15 March, 2024. AUSPACK 2022 draws to a close on 20 May.
