70
AWARDS SHOWCASE
True Blue Packserv says its Australian Manufacturing Awards win reflects its commitment to Australian manufacturers – by being an Australian manufacturer. Sydney-based packaging machinery manufacturer Packserv was named Best Small Business at the 2025 Australian Manufacturing Awards, recognised for its long-term commitment to local manufacturing and support for Australia’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. Packserv chief marketing officer Julia Casey said the award reflects its strategy of keeping production, innovation and intellectual property in Australia at a time when many machinery suppliers have shifted offshore. “By keeping production onshore, we support jobs, retain intellectual property, and ensure businesses have access to advanced packaging technology without relying on imports,” she says. “We have been able to respond immediately to the needs of FMCG manufacturers, minimising lead times and providing a high level of support to ensure that they can compete effectively both domestically and internationally.” Casey says an example of this is the company’s PLC Twin Head Filling Machine – launched in 2025 and offering small and medium-sized businesses access to Industry 4.0 technology at a scale that suits them. “For many smaller producers, advanced automation has remained out of reach due to cost, complexity, or requiring too much space,” she says. “[With this machine], operators can make quick product changeovers using a touchscreen interface, maintain filling accuracy through automated controls, and monitor performance in real time with integrated data capture.” The result is faster machine set-up, less downtime, and consistent output, with the machine’s an intuitive design, pre-set configurations and predictive maintenance designed to help minimise waste and be user-friendly for new operators. Packserv also released a new square infeed conveyor in 2025 – which indexes and aligns containers using sensors – thus preventing misfeeds and reducing the need for manual correction. One conveyor can manage both cylindrical and non-cylindrical containers, reducing capital costs, improving safety, reducing manual handling and streamlining production. Casey says all Packserv machines are designed for highspeed production and optimal energy consumption with a smaller footprint, reducing factory space requirements. “These innovations matter because they arrive at a critical time,” she adds, citing international supply chain pressures,
rising costs and greater global competition. They also come as Packserv recorded its strongest ever year of trade in the 202425 financial year, following several months of record-breaking sales. “By focusing on operational efficiency, we tripled our manufacturing output and doubled our spare parts inventory,” Casey says. “This has allowed us to reduce response and delivery times, improve technical support, and better serve our clients across Australia and New Zealand.” Packserv also recently added a new mezzanine floor to its facility in Marrickville, Sydney, and made “a significant investment” in developing its own in-house manufacturing capability with investments in Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) technologies. “By designing equipment that is practical and affordable, Packserv gives Australian businesses access to the same technological advantages as their global competitors, without the challenges associated with relying on offshore suppliers.” “Our ‘Buy for Life’ philosophy means equipment is designed to last indefinitely, with refurbishment options and trade-ins added to our rental fleet. This reduces waste and ensures equipment doesn’t end up in landfill,” she says. Casey adds that the company’s sustainability programs, including waste product reclamation and using recycled material in manufacturing, saw it reclaim and recycle more than 3.1 tonnes of metals in 2024 alone, including 1,600 kg of 316 stainless steel, 1,400 kg of aluminium, and 53 kg of brass. For 2026, she adds, the company will be focusing on its recently-launched four head, 5-litre pneumatic filling machine suitable for food, pharmaceutical, HACCP and TGA-compliant facilities, and industrial, IECEx or ATEX-rated environments. Designed to fill four containers ranging in size from 500 ml to 5L, it also has the capacity to fill containers up to 200L or 1000L intermediate bulk containers. Packserv is also expanding internationally, exporting through trusted distributors, which Casey says will see it extend its reach while focusing on maintaining its high standards and reliability. “Packserv has a culture where creativity, knowledge-sharing and critical thinking are not only encouraged but expected,” Casey says. “This mindset equips our team to think laterally, solve complex problems, and develop original solutions that benefit both our customers and the local industry.”
Members of the award-winning Packserv team.