APPEX is set to kick off in Melbourne from the 12th to the 15th of March 2024, after undergoing a rebranding from its previous name, AUSPACK.
The Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) are the owners of APPEX and represent packaging, processing and allied component companies.
As such, their objective is to promote, integrate, and foster participation and development at all levels of the packaging and processing machinery industry.
It was this mission which ultimately led to the rebranding of AUSPACK to APPEX.
“During COVID the board undertook an industry consultation process to address perceptions that APPMA, and AUSPACK, only represented the packaging sector and what changes were required to address this,” said Jon Perry, portfolio director, Exhibitions & Trade Fairs.
“Out of this came the momentum to transition AUSPACK into APPEX, an all of industry event that would truly represent processing and packaging machinery as well as ancillary equipment, materials and packaging.”
The new event concept resonated with leading providers such as Multivac, Columbit and Food Processing Equipment who joined APPMA, and APPEX was born.
“APPMA membership has since grown by 40 per cent from 125 in 2021 to 172 currently and APPMA’s objective of uniting processing & packaging in Australia is well and truly underway,” said Perry.
Thanks to the revamp, the event itself will now be much larger than in
previous years.
“The biggest difference is scale. APPEX will be 50 per cent bigger than AUSPACK due to uniting processing and packaging, with the biggest growth coming from processing machinery suppliers,” said Perry.
“For manufacturers looking for new machinery, automation and technology to improve their production lines this show is by far the largest event ever held in Australia.”
Perry said manufacturers can be confident the investment in time taken to attend the event will be worthwhile as they will see the widest range of available suppliers from across Australia.
“The event is also the largest for materials and packaging for FMCG manufacturers looking at sustainable packaging options,” he added.
“APPEX will offer a new level of networking experience.”
The show will be divided into zones to help visitors find the products and services they are looking for.
Materials & Packaging
IT & Services
Packaging Machinery
Packaging & Processing Machinery
“APPEX understands that building relationships with new and existing suppliers is an important part of any visit to a show and so we’ve created the spaces that allow this to happen,” said Perry.
“Two central hubs and the APPEX Restaurant will offer interesting spaces to connect providing a variety of food options throughout the day and then turning into networking bars later in the day.
“Alongside the show will be held a number of education and networking events.
“And more announcements will be made over the coming weeks but below are some highlights we have
currently announced.”
Some of the networking events include Meat Industry Day, being held on Wednesday, March 13.
“This is a collaboration between the Australian Meat Processors Corporation, Meat & Livestock Australia and the Australian Meat Industry Council showing a series of seminars and networking sessions for meat manufacturers and processors,” said Perry.
“Topics will be aligned with the key sections of the show being materials & packaging, automation, processing & packaging technology.”
Meanwhile, the APPEX Seminar Theatre will play host to the “Food Industry Solutions Series”, which will address hot topics for food and beverage manufacturers. Running over 2 days, the 12th and the 14h of March, topics addressed will include alternative energy supplies, running sustainable packaging on existing equipment, inventory management and machinery operations, machinery efficiency, and data capture management and traceability.
“The seminar theatre will also host sessions by Robotics Australia on the role of robotics in processing and packaging for manufacturers,” added Perry.
Then there will be the APPMA Gala Awards night on Wednesday, March 13.
More than 700 attendees are expected to attend the event where the winners of the 2024 APPMA Awards of Excellence are announced.
“This prestigious national program is run by The Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) and recognises excellence, innovation, leadership, and best practice in the Australian packaging and processing industry,” said Perry.
APPMA CEO, Michael Moran, said the event was an exciting platform for key stakeholders.
“The program provides an ideal and exciting springboard for companies to receive industry wide acknowledgement, validation and recognition of their leadership, innovations, and achievements in the areas of machinery, packaging design, digital integration, sustainability and next gen personnel development,” he said.
The awards that will be announced at the gala event are:
Australian Machinery Manufacturer Award – SME
Australian Machinery Manufacturer Award – Corporate
Import & Distribution Machinery Award – SME
Import & Distribution Machinery Award – Corporate
Customer Systems Integration Award
Packaging Design Innovation Award
Sustainability Excellence Award
Digital Innovation Award
Emerging Leader Award
Another change from AUSPACK to APPEX will be the frequency with which the trade event is held. Previously, AUSPACK was held every two years, but APPEX will now take place every three years in Melbourne.
“This is the optimal cycle for such a large show with more exhibitors,”
said Perry.
“We can build the experience that industries get from large international shows, and it facilitates better alignment with developments in new technology.
“Melbourne is Australia’s premier city for holding larger shows and the MCEC’s facilities will allow for APPEX to grow while still retaining AUSPACK’s renowned experience.
“Operationally the MCEC facilitates easier move in and move out for exhibitors.”
Perry said important partnerships had also been made to help promote the launch of APPEX and its continued success into the future.
“APPEX has an alliance partner program where we collaborate with other industry bodies to help promote the show and bring content to the show floor,” he said.
“Many of these partners are also exhibiting on the trade show floor and enrich the experience for visitors with their expertise and resources.”
The partners include GS1, Robotics Australia, AMPC, MLA, AMIC, and the Dairy Industry Association.
Perry also acknowledged those who helped grow the event into what it has now become.
“Much of the growth of the show has come from suppliers of processing equipment for the food, beverage, meat, baked goods, pet food, ingredients and dairy industries,” he said.
“On show will be companies such as Multivac, Columbit, FPE, Global Machinery, Oestergaard, Viscofan Globus, Schenck Process, INOX Australia, Matrix Process Solutions, Heat & Control and Tapflo.
“We’ve also seen existing packaging machinery exhibitors now bringing their complete range of machinery to the event, which includes processing machinery.”