Foodtech Packtech: Everything food and beverage processors need to see — all under one roof

New Zealand’s biennial food and beverage manufacturing, packaging and processing technology trade event, Foodtech Packtech (FTPT), is on track to be the biggest in over a decade. Leading industry suppliers from all over New Zealand and many from overseas will be gathering in Auckland in October to showcase the latest equipment, technologies, services and trends in the food and beverage processing industry.

Foodtech Packtech at a glance

• 11–13 October 2016
• Tuesday 9 am–6 pm
• Wednesday 9 am–6 pm
• Thursday 9 am–4 pm
• ASB Showgrounds, Auckland
• Registration: www.foodtechpacktech.co.nz/visitor-information/register

Held at the ASB Showgrounds, Auckland on 11–13 October, Foodtech Packtech (FTPT) covers all facets of food and packaging industry capability. Nearly 200 companies will be there to inspire New Zealand’s food and beverage manufacturing, packaging and processing industry.

The 2016 theme ‘Adding Value to NZ’s Food Chain’ will be dominant over the three days through live product demonstrations, special features and a very full schedule of free industry-led education and learning seminars.

“There’s a huge pipeline of innovative new products being launched on-site at the show, in some cases Southern Hemisphere firsts,” said the organiser, XPO Event Manager Deb Haimes.

When you need new technology or equipment and are looking at ways to make your processes more productive, it pays to compare brands. With one visit to this show you can see all the big names and can really weigh up the benefits of each before you make the big decision.

“There is very strong industry support for Foodtech Packtech 2016,” said Deb, “which, I believe, reflects the current industry and economic sentiment.  FTPT 2016 is set to showcase many amazing examples of successful high-tech Kiwi food and beverage manufacturing capability.

“It’s a great chance to see existing suppliers again and also brings the opportunity of meeting new purveyors and seeing their exciting innovations and cutting-edge new products and technology.”

Seminar program

The overall event seminars, organised in partnership with NZIFST, will bring together leading experts and professionals to share their knowledge, skills and ideas that are critical to the sustainability and growth of the vibrant F&B industry.

Australian companies head to FTPT too

This year the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) will be exhibiting at Foodtech Packtech for the first time. The APPMA represents Australia’s leading packaging and processing machinery and allied components companies and members include manufacturers, distributors and importers of packaging and processing machinery who are suppliers to industries such as food, beverage, dairy, meat, poultry, seafood, confectionery, bakery, snacks and fresh produce.

24 APPMA member companies will also be exhibiting: A&D Weightec, ABB, Accupack, Confoil, Heat and Control, HMPS, IFM Electronic, Integrated Packaging, JL Lennard, JMP Engineering, KHS, Multivac, Omron, Propac, Reynolds Group, Rhima, Rockwell Automation, Romheld, SICK, SMC Pneumatics, TNA, Tronics, Walls Machinery and Wedderburn.

The APPMA will also be hosting one of the NZIFST seminars alongside Foodtech Packtech 2016 on the 11th of October. The seminar will include a panel of experts who will discuss key trends and topics such as cobots — collaborative robots; Internet of Things 4.0; serialisation and authentication; and total cost of ownership. Panellists will be representing leading companies such as ABB, Heat and Control, Rhima, SICK, Rockwell Automation and A&D.

Penguins

Penguins? You may ask. What’s New in Food Technology & Manufacturing has been part of FTPT for the best part of 20 years and we always have a stress ball giveaway. We have had cows, pigs, sheep, chooks, apples, tomatoes… Two years ago we handed out chickens but, to our horror, an innocent chicken was misappropriated by a ruthless exhibitor, forced into a plastic bag and vacuum packed. A representative from D&L Packaging was reputed to say, “We just put the chicken in, suck out the air and seal it. To show how efficient we are at vacuum packing we then cut open the bag, release the chook and then do it all again.”

However, this chicken abuse pales into insignificance compared to what happened to our sheep!

This year we have penguins — not because anyone in NZ is processing penguins, just because they are cool. When you visit FTPT make sure you visit us at Stand 2041 to get a penguin of your own.

Co-locating with FTPT — the Materials Handling & Logistics Expo

The Materials Handling & Logistics Expo (MHL), New Zealand’s premier trade event for the materials handling, warehousing and logistics industry, is co-locating with Foodtech Packtech. So you will be able to get two exhibitions in the one trip!

MHL is also free to attend and brings together customers and suppliers from every aspect of material flow management along the supply chain and covers a wide range of industry sectors including: logistics, materials handling, food and beverage, retail, packaging, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, transport, engineering, technology, government, and many more.

It provides industry buyers with the opportunity to view the most up-to-date materials, equipment, services, technology and innovations and discuss their needs with supply professionals.

The natural alignment of MHL with FTPT provides visitors unprecedented face-to-face access to over 250 exhibitors and leading experts to discover the freshest ideas, latest technologies and the newest developments entering their industry. A three-day educational and professional development seminar program along with special features and interactive displays will make MHL a worthwhile addition to FTPT.

Register now for free entry to FTPT

Entry to the exhibition is FREE to genuine food, beverage and pharmaceutical industry professionals. As a strictly trade-only event, children and the general public will not be allowed admittance to the expo. Once registered, visitors are allowed to enter the show as many times as they choose.

Overseas visitors attending the show may apply for a business visa. Australian citizens and residents don’t usually need a visa to travel to New Zealand, but if you don’t meet NZ’s character requirements, you’ll need to apply for a visa before travelling. The passport which you hold will determine whether you can apply online or if you need to lodge a paper-based application. Applications need to be made well in advance at the New Zealand Embassy in your country or in some cases can be made online.
Register to attend Foodtech Packtech now: www.foodtechpacktech.co.nz/visitor-information/register/.

Top image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/vladimirnenezic