As part of IOM3, the Packaging Board have been working hard in the background to understand the new organisation, start networking with the other divisions and raise out profile we within the general organisation.  With one of the biggest membership groups within the wider organisation, we are well placed to have some influence and are certainly seen as one of the more active divisions.  Involvement with conferences, Congress and attendance at other divisional meetings has all allowed us to make our mark within the group.

2007 brought the 60th anniversary of the launch of the Institute of Packaging and this has been celebrated at a number of events around the country, including the London Packaging Dinner, Fellows Lunch and some regional seminars.

The website is one of the current major areas of work. IOP The Packaging Society are one of the test groups for the new corporate style and it will become a valuable tool for the Board, individual members and local groups to use to promote events and activities.

With a discussion forum planned as part of Phase 2, it should become an excellent focus for members to air views, prompt debate and get answers to technical queries.

Starpack continues to be important both to IOP The Packaging Society and to the wider IOM3 organisation. As owners of the Starpack brand, we continue to push forward with the competition, now operating at Industry, Student and Schools level. The quality of entries continues to rise and new categories such as Business and People Awards have allowed us to recognise the people and organisations behind some of the new technology we see in the market.

Training has continued to grow within the Packaging Division and the IOM3 staff have worked hard with companies around the UK to offer and develop NVQ and specialist courses to allow them to improve the knowledge of key staff within their organisations. As one of the least highly skilled industries in the country it should certainly be an area we can continue to expand and develop ourselves as a centre of excellence.

Over the past year there has also been a lot of work put into the development of a new base of IOP The Packaging Society. IOM3 have undertaken a significant new investment in a building in Grantham which will become the host for the technical library from London, conference and meeting facilities and base to host the Starpack events as well as other prestigious events throughout the year. Working with some of the key suppliers in the materials world, the building brings cutting edge design and execution which will showcase new materials and applications. We will be organising an opening event during 2008, so we will be keeping you informed of the builders’ progress.