The AIP would like to take this opportunity to welcome John Shipley MAIP, Business Unit Director, KM Packaging Services Ltd, Elena Leonteva, Brenton King MAIP, Sales Manager Australasia, Hybrid Software and Ruby Chan AAIP MAIP, PhD Student, RMIT University, to the Institute and share a little bit about who they are and what they do in the industry. Please join with us in welcoming them to the AIP.
1. Why did you join the AIP? What benefits do you believe the AIP offers all their Members?
John:
As a major exporter of flexible packaging to Australian food industry, I am most interested in networking with industry peers and keeping informed on, and contributing to industry topics. I am passionate about packaging and the virtues of plastics, I get very frustrated with greenwashing.
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Elena:
I joined the AIP because I would like to keep up with all innovations and news in Packaging industry and to have an access to all useful sources of information and webinars. Also, I hope to gain a CPP certificate after completing my Diploma in Packaging Technology degree.
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Brenton:
Why did I join? In one word collaboration. I have learned over the last year that virtual meetings are good to get by, but the real value of networking is having as many conversations with as many people to share ideas and learn more from each other. Joining the AIP offers the ability to share our knowledge with like-minded people. Not only am I looking forward to learning more about all the Members, but hopefully, I can also add value and help others as well.
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Ruby:
I joined the AIP to be part of the wider packaging community. This gives me the opportunity to participate in events to learn more about packaging, and network with packaging professionals to learn more about what they do. I also look forward to reading the many industry magazines that members receive copies of!
2. How long have you been in the industry? What are your areas of expertise?
John:
2021 is my 27th in the packaging industry. I am an experienced international and domestic senior sales executive, selling mono & multi-layered printed films and pre-made packaging for FMCG’s in FFS and FS applications, with retort, liquid handling and lidding specialties.
My areas of expertise include: Key account management, New business development, Innovation development, Supply chain integration, Horizontal and Vertical network and contacts. Advice, recommendations and matchmaking and Expanding my network with like-minded individuals
I started my packaging career at Alusuisse Lonza straight out of University selling aluminium foil – converter, container and house foil. I then moved into the value-added part of the business selling printed, coloured, coated and embossed unsupported foil and laminates into the global confectionery, dairy and tobacco industries. The company changed ownership a number of times over my 13 years service; Lawson Marden Packaging, Alcan Packaging, Novelis and Hindalco.
Next up I joined Floeter Flexibles, global leader in manufacture of pre-made stand up pouches, flat bags and reel stock in high barrier retort (and non-retort) packaging for Human food, Pet food, Agro / Chemical, Pharma and Medical markets. Ampac acquired Floeter and acquired ELAG, eventually merging with Prolamina, to form ProAmpac before I decided to leave after 8 years.
I am now into my 6th year at KM Packaging Services Ltd. We are a market leading supplier of specialist heat-sealable lidding films for the frozen, chilled and ambient ready meal and convenience market. KM have been exporting to Australia for over 10 years and have built up a great reputation as a trusted and knowledgeable long term supply partner, with an effective supply chain.
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Elena:
I have a 16 year’s experience as a Key Account Manager for national FMCG clients, production and Quality Supervisor for polymer production lines. My areas of expertise include, Sales: packaging polymer materials for FMCG – 12 years, Production: polymer materials by extrusion – 4 years, Recycling: thermoplastic polymers – 4 years.
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Brenton:
Prepress and Print are in my Blood. Growing up with a father managing a Prepress trade shop, I have always been around the graphic arts industry. Starting in a hands-on role, I understand how the demands of artwork suppliers, prepress, and printers can affect the final package. Having been around for so long (I’m not that old, though) and working for an innovative technology provider, I understand how industry 4.0 can assist today and how the next level of automation and lean manufacturing will look in the future.
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Ruby:
I am rather new to the packaging and food industry but have a keen interest in both areas. Prior to starting my PhD in Save Food Packaging (SFP) in 2019, I worked as a research assistant on projects in food waste and packaging. I have a Bachelor’s in Industrial Design (with Honours) and a Master’s in Design Innovation & Technology. As part of my master’s research, I developed fully compostable food containers out of agricultural biproducts. It won the 2017 RMIT Green Innovators Award and I did a TEDx talk on it! Since then, the invention has been patented in Australia.
3. What is your current job role and what are your responsibilities?
John:
I am the Business Unit Director for KM’s Oceana & Asia Business Units, with responsibility for Sales, Marketing and P&L. We supply a wide range of flexible packaging into many markets, with our core business being specialty heat-sealable lidding films for the Frozen, Chilled and Ambient Ready Meals and Convenience Food Industry.
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Elena:
My last job role was as a National Account Manager. My responsibilities included: Personally negotiating on sales volumes, prices and discounts with FMCG clients’ decision makers and supply managers for all packaging materials. I worked closely with own technical personnel during pre-production and production stage, performed equipment tests, advised on components mix. I also made presentations on and trials of new and innovative packaging materials for national supply managers, ensured regular and quality supplies to national key clients and solved clients claims.
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Brenton:
I am the Sales Manager for Hybrid Software. Hybrid software is the newest software and integration company in the packaging and label industry, specialising in prepress and file automation solutions for the graphic arts industry. My role is to make as many of our prospects aware of the value and efficiencies our products can bring whilst maintaining and delivering a high level of support to our existing partners.
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Ruby:
I am a PhD student at RMIT. My topic explores how packaging be improved to help households reduce food waste. The PhD is part of the Reduce program for the Fight Food Waste CRC, under a wider research project on the save food packaging criteria. The AIP is the project lead on this project.
A key component of my research will be to explore the barriers households face in using packaging with save food features. I also plan to engage food–beverage–packaging companies in my research to learn about the role of food waste in packaging design. In particular I am keen to learn about the design process behind existing examples of save food packaging.
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When I finish my PhD, I hope to have research that will be impactful in multiple ways:
- That my research will assist food and beverage companies to better use food packaging to help consumers reduce food waste at home.
- That Save Food Packaging Design is routinely undertaken by food producers, manufacturers, and retailers in a way that aligns with consumer habits and needs.
- Increased awareness and understanding by businesses, government, and consumers of the role of packaging plays in minimising food waste.