Skills gap & food waste top the bill

Visitors will be invited to join and engage with industry experts from Mondelez International, Nampak Plastics and the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE), who will speak about the latest industry trends and hottest issues impacting processing and packaging professionals including hygiene compliance, food waste and the ongoing skills gap.

Headlining the 2016 seminar programme will be The Rt Hon Lord Francis Maude of Horsham, who previously served as the Minister of State for Trade and Investment. Lord Francis Maude will present the opening address at the show, that will include a focus on the outlook of British manufacturing in the wake of the EU referendum. As a major proponent of the government led ‘Exporting is Great’ campaign, Lord Francis Maude will also speak about a series of events set up across the UK in 2016, to ensure small and medium businesses get the support they need with exporting goods.

Addressing one of the most important industry issues, the skills gap, Emma Mcleod, Principal Engineer for Process Solutions Global Chocolate R&D Team at Mondelez International, will be taking to the stage to give an inspiring, accurate and up-to-date insight into the opportunities in engineering, the largest industry in the UK.  As well as addressing the impact of the skills gap, Emma will explore how apprenticeships and graduate training schemes can help young people build a successful career in the UK food and drink manufacturing industry.

Circular economy

WRAP, the circular economy and resource efficiency experts, is at the forefront of helping governments and businesses to achieve sustainability targets and improve resource efficiency.  Claire Shrewsbury has over 20 years’ experience working in the environmental field. As Packing Programme Area Manager, Claire is currently responsible for a number of government programmes that promote both environmental improvements and cost benefits to industry, including current projects with GlassRite Wine, and developing recycled food grade PP processing.

Also joining the line-up, Emma De-Alwis, Hygiene Specialist at Campden BRI will highlight how contaminated food products and food hygiene problems that go undetected along the supply chain have a serious negative impact on the UK manufacturing industry. She will discuss the importance of equipment and factory design on hygiene compliance in the pharmaceutical sector as well as the food and drink industry.

Emma’s session will cover industry requirements in relation to hygiene compliance for both equipment manufacturers and end users.  Furthermore, the session will discuss changes in legislation, the fundamentals and importance of hygienic design, and the need for clear specification before purchasing a piece of equipment.  It will also give some examples from the industry on how issues can be overcome and where manufacturers can get more advice.

Addressing the need to excite consumers and the role of packaging in increasing sales, Ashwin Moorthy, Head of Engineering & Innovation at Nampak Plastics, will discuss the latest packaging innovations in the FMCG world, and how packaging can both protect products and extend shelf life whilst being environmentally friendly.  Visitors will also learn how companies can innovate, add value and deliver a range of world class packaging solutions.

Additional speakers confirmed for the 2016 exhibition include Neil Farmer of the Neil Farmer Associates; Ben Clarke, Training & Education Manager at GS1; and Nick Kesterton of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE).

Speaking about the seminar line-up, David Harrison, PPMA Total Show Event Director, said: “This year’s seminar programme really is an exciting line-up, with a diverse array of high calibre speakers, which we believe visitors and exhibitors alike will find of great interest. We can’t wait to return to the NEC and welcome exhibitors and visitors to join us and discover the latest industry trends.”