‘EXCITING TIMES AHEAD FOR PROCESSING AND PACKAGING’
Andrew Mint has been CEO at the PPMA Group for 2 and a half years. Michelle Lea caught up with him at the recent PPMA show to find out more about his plans for the association, and what he thinks will be important in the future. What’s your background and what skills
do you bring to your role at the PPMA? “I have a PhD in research dermatology, and
started my career in biotechnology R&D in the skincare/haircare industry. I then worked in chemical industry R&D, before transitioning to a more business environment, eventually running companies in various different countries. I bring an electic mix of experience to my role at the PPMA, having worked in SMEs through to multinationals in various different industries, including chemicals/pharmaceuticals/food/FMCG/and household goods. I understand what it’s like to be part of a SME, having set up my own business, and appreciate the challenges involved. Yet I have also had several roles within global multinational companies.” What benefits does the PPMA offer its
members? “It’s important to listen to, and understand,
what the members are looking for. We are more focused and more efficient. We offer bigger shows, more events and subsidised training. We are hoping to set up a training academy and launch a PPMA Conference next year. In addition, we are the sole UK agent for
Gulfood Manufacturing in Dubai and partners with ProPak Asia and ProPak Philippines. We also run a whole series of networking events, host the Chairman’s lunch and breakfast meetings, and deliver events on topical subjects such as cyber security, GDPR and digital marketing. We also believe in the power of print, and continue to produce our Machinery Update magazine, while recognising the need for a 24/7 digital offering. Every year we also celebrate achievement and excellence at the PPMA Industry Awards. “This year, the PPMA BEST charity has
reached out to 800 students, with the purpose of presenting engineering as an exciting, viable career option. Sixty escorted students visited the PPMA on the last day, and took a tour of selected stands to help them get a feel for engineering and its possibilities. “The Enterprise zone at this year’s PPMA
was slightly different to previous years, in fact, one of the presentations was carried out by a robot! We have tried to do lots of different things at the show. For example, the Ambassadors programme (made up of member companies and experts within the PPMA itself) aims to help people that are new to the industry, or companies that are expanding and don’t necessarily know exactly what they need. Ambassadors can offer independent advice on the type of equipment required for particular applications and solutions to particular problems.” What sort of challenges are member
companies currently facing? “We currently have our highest membership,
at approximately 540 companies, and most of them are facing the same types of challenges as lots of other SMEs in this country. Some are very generic, for example, Brexit, with a ‘no deal’ scenario being a challenge. Other issues include Cyber Security and Industry 4.0, and what they mean for businesses “And no-one can ignore the plastic issue -
it’s not just the raw materials suppliers’ problem, machinery suppliers need to make sure raw materials run as efficiently as possible on their equipment. The issue needs to be addressed from the government down to the individual level. We need to start rewarding people for recycling, as they do in some European countries such as Germany. We need to make recycling easier, offer incentives, and
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present more consistent advice on what can and what can’t be recycled. Being a throw away society has caught up with us, and we need to accept that recyclable materials may cost a little more. It’s important to keep in mind that society wouldn’t be where it is today without plastics, we’ve just got into a bad habit of single use.” What are the hot topics that you will be focusing on
in the coming 12 months? “Without a doubt, digitisation/smart factory/IIot is the
big hot topic, but we need to approach with an air of caution and gather as much information as we can. We need to embrace connectivity, but we also need to look at any barriers that may stand in the way, such as an inability or unwillingness to invest. The PPMA offers free seminars on these topics. Ultimately, the speed of adoption will be driven by consumer demands, and there may come a point where people don’t have the choice, and to remain competitive they must invest in the latest technology. “These are exciting times and we are going through a
period of modernisation here at the PPMA. I’m a big fan of change, and am keen to initiate innovation within the association. I believe in the old adage: ‘change nothing, nothing changes’ Let’s not have a fear of failure, otherwise we will never innovate or change.” PPMA Group
www.ppma.co.uk
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