“The inaugural APPEX was an exceptional success, delivering on all of our expectations in uniting the entire processing and packaging industry under one roof,” noted Mark Dingley, APPMA Chairman.
The Australasian Processing and Packaging Expo showcased manufacturers and suppliers from processing machinery, packaging machinery, digital printing, labelling and coding, components and ancillary equipment, packaging and materials, robotics and automation, plant equipment, IT and services, logistics and handling.
“Overall visitor volume and quality at APPEX was nearly 40% higher than AUSPACK 2022, delivering value and benefit to exhibitors, visitors and industry partners involved in machinery innovation and robotics, to meat processing, dairy, packaging converting and packaging materials,” observed Mark Dingley.
“The Meat Industry Day and the International Packaging Press Organisation [IPPO] forum attracted strong audiences, while the inaugural APPEX Women in Processing & Packaging forum proved a stand-out networking event.
“The APPMA Awards of Excellence Gala set the bar at an all-time high, with over 650 industry attendees coming together to celebrate finalists, winners and the industry overall.
“We are already looking forward to aiming even higher in 2027.”
From 1985, the industry’s peak body, the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA), held its flagship AUSPACK event every second year until the restructuring and rebranding was announced two years ago. APPEX will now be held on a three-year cycle, which represents a neater flow with other international shows and facilitates better alignment with developments in new technology according to the organisers.
The expo will now be permanently anchored in Melbourne, which aims to create a stronger foundation for the future of the event. “APPMA chose Melbourne for its position as Australia’s premier venue for holding larger shows, with facilities allowing APPEX and Processing & Packaging Week to grow while still retaining AUSPACK’s renowned experience,” added Mark Dingley.