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The Packaging Society board

Welcome to The Packaging Society, an organisation which has been serving the members of the Packaging Industry for the past 60 years. The Packaging Society seeks to serve its membership through training, education and interaction with other members of the industry, providing support and a community environment in which to share experiences and knowledge.

Through national and regional events, we endeavour to raise the profile of the packaging industry, influence change and monitor trends. As part of the wider IOM3 organisation, membership also provides links to other interested groups, such as the Polymer Society, environmental interest groups, etc.

With an active younger members group, the society is keen to attract members of all ages and skill and support them, through the development of their careers.

Letter from The Chairman

How time flies and soon we may even have a decent spell of weather! Since Christmas the momentum has accelerated at the Packaging Society and I hope we can see positive changes. In the the last quarter (and fresh in my mind) was the EasyFair exhibition held last week at the NEC. There were more exhibitors and visitors than last year and those I spoke to were very pleased with the results. I met so many people at EasyFair and wish I had been able to see and talk to more. I would be delighted to receive comments on the show, good or bad, from anyone who attended. There were two initiatives – the “ Packaging Surgery “ and the “ Lions Lair” and they both appear to have been both popular and successful. They will become regular features. The next exhibition on the timetable is Total at the NEC on 25-27th May and I aim to see many of you there. For our Irish colleagues there will be an EasyFair on 16/17th June where, again, I will show my face. Education progresses with the DBA design course initiative nearly ready to launch and the Bradford Degree course in preparation. We are also awaiting a start date for the Singapore Diploma course. Thanks to the London and South East Local Society and their Chairman. Barry Jones we now have the Starpack awards dinner in London in conjunction with the London Dinner. It promises to be a fabulous evening on the 23rd September so do send in your Starpack entries NOW. The recent changes at Packaging News show promise for future collaboration. Within the next couple of weeks there will be a meeting of the refreshed Membership Working Group. I anticipate more benefits for us will follow. In regard to the Local Societies I am pleased to see how well London & the South East, the East Midlands and the Merseyside Societies are advancing. Barry Jones keeps London on it’s toes and Martin Hardwidge spearheads the East Midlands at Nottingham. Steve Pye does an excellent job in the North West and I must mention the much appreciated visit that was arranged a few months back to Tetra Pak at Wrexham. I hear that more attractions are scheduled in the future. Just look at the website to see what’s on in your area. Still with Local Societies, Kevin Vyse is doing a sterling job hoping to resurrect Thames Valley and Ian Morris and myself will trying to revive the Scottish Packaging Society. I wish you a successful Spring quarter ! Keith Barnes keith@keithbarnes.com

The Packaging Board

The Packaging Board meets on a quarterly basis and seeks to drive and influence activities within the packaging division. If you wish to make contact with any of the Board members please see the links below and you are welcome to contact any of us directly to raise pertinent/topical issues.

Our current focus is on:

  • Communication/PR
  • Sustainability policy and development of good practice
  • Recruitment of new members