• The Drakes Supermarket distribution centre is expected to focus on robotics and create more jobs for the region.
    The Drakes Supermarket distribution centre is expected to focus on robotics and create more jobs for the region.
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EDITOR'S PICK

Freedom Foods Group has become a powerhouse in the Australian grocery market. We spent the day with their group head of safety and compliance Rob McDonald, who talked us through the company's philosophy, recent plant builds in Ingleburn and Shepparton, and its safety processes. See pages 24-25 and 38-39.

Drakes Supermarkets started as one grocery store with three aisles. This month it opened its own, fully funded, $125 million, 55,000 square metre distribution centre as it takes on a whole new part of the business. As owner and founder Roger Drake told us, it has taken a leap to go out on its own and take on the big corporations. See page 28-29.

Our cover story is about Australia's oldest dairy company, Brownes Dairy Co, and its sustainability initiative to replace all of its milk cartons (around 17 million a year) with a fully renewable and recyclable option. Its partnership with Tetra Pak to make it happen showcases how a copmany and a supplier can work together to make a difference. See page 16-17

Megan and Chris Williams fell in love with each other and the wild camels roaming the Australian outback when they were working at a remote station near Alice Springs. From there, they started out in a whole new market for Australia, camel milk, with just three feral camels. They now have a thriving business as The Camel Milk Co, with food and beauty products and a growing export market. See page 12-14.

Special features in this issue:

  • Dairy Processing (from page 16)
  • Plant Design & Fitout (from page 24)
  • Packaging Equipment & Materials (from page 32)
  • Hygiene & Safety (from page 38)

And of course, we have all the latest news, new products to hit the shelves, equipment updates and loads more. Its all available in a click.

 

Packaging News

Earlier this month PKN published an article that voiced industry concern over the speculation that Qenos might be closing its polymer manufacturing plants in Australia. Qenos has remained silent on the matter. The MD of Qenos customer Impact International, Aleks Lajovic, wants some answers.

Amcor, a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions, is the proud recipient of eight FPA Awards for innovative and sustainable contributions to the industry.

An impressive number of quality entries into the inaugural Hive Awards created a highly competitive line-up for judges to consider. The packaging category was one of the most strongly contested.