Cormack Packaging participated in its 10th annual Australia's Biggest Morning Tea, at its Condell Park facility on Tuesday 25th May.
Raising $2010, staff donations were matched dollar for dollar bringing their 10 year total to over $16,000 in contributions for the charity which raises awareness and funding for the Cancer Council's research and support services.
The annual fundraising event is just one of the community support initiatives that Cormack Packaging undertakes. Managing Director Mathew Cormack will also participate in the 6 week charity Snowy Ride to raise funds and awareness for children's cancer research, each year the Snowy Ride aims to raise over $200,000 for The Children's Cancer Institute.
On discussing the community support initiative that Cormack has in place, Mathew Cormack Managing Director said "What we are doing is a very small step in a big plan and we are planning on having a lot of fun doing this, in 2010 we will continue to support the great efforts of the Cancer Council and the ABMT but feel that by nominating in addition the Steve Walter Foundation in conjunction with the Snowy Ride that we can increase the amount of funds and awareness for Children's cancer research. Kids and Cancer is a pretty grim reality and it is very targeted. We have all had an experience with losing a family member or friend to cancer, this is an opportunity for us to help support those trying to find a cure."
For the second consecutive year the Australian Institute of Packaging have partnered with the Cormack Innovation Awards to offer a $5,000 scholarship to a student participating in the Industrial design program.
The success of the inaugural scholarship program in 2009, which saw talented student Sascha Dal Santo of the University of New South Wales scoop the scholarship with her written essay, was a clear indication to the AIP that the Cormack Innovation program was a suitable partnership for their Certificate in Packaging course.
The tangible nature of the Cormack Innovation Awards, unique to other Awards programs targeted at young designers in Australia, was a natural fit to the Scholarship on offer by the AIP. Both are designed to educate and promote to young industrial design students that there are rewarding and successful careers available within the Australian Packaging industry. To be eligible for the scholarship, which is offered in addition to the 3 month paid internship and $2,500 prize money for the Innovation Awards, students were asked to write a short essay on why they believed that the Scholarship would benefit their future ambitions.
In commenting on the continued partnership with the Cormack Innovation Awards Craig Wellman, National President of the Australian Institute of Packaging said
"The Cormack Innovation Awards program benefits the entire packaging industry providing industrial design students with great opportunities to explore packaging design. This brainchild of Cormack Packaging remains an excellent initiative and the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) is very pleased to be involved. The AIP will, for the second consecutive time, provide a Scholarship for our Certificate in Packaging course which is internationally accredited in 27 countries. This scholarship will enable the successful student to enhance their knowledge of packaging which combined with industrial design will make them very attractive to FMCG companies around the world."
With the 2010 program now well and truly underway and with a focus on current amendments to the National Packaging Covenant, this year will prove to be the strongest competition of the nine year history of the Cormack Innovation Awards.
For more information regarding the Cormack Innovation Awards, please contact Hayley Lia at hlia@cormack.com.au or visit www.cormackia.com.au for full competition details.
Congratulations to Rob Cumming, Beverages Technical Manager for PepsiCo Australia, winner of the Cormack Packaging Guess the Closures competition at Ausdrinks 2010 recently held on the Gold Coast.
Rob will be receiving a $200 Red Balloon gift voucher to select an experience of his choice
The guessing competition was one of the many attractions that the Cormack packaging team had on display the conference, also unveiling the new Fusion Aluminium bottle to the market. Lightweight and visually appealing, Fusion heralds a new packaging age for the beverage industry.
To find out more about the Fusion Aluminium bottle and the broad range of Beverage closure solutions Cormack Packaging has to offer please contact our dedicated Food and Beverage Key Account Manager, Philip McPhee today.
As featured in the May 2010 issue of PKN Packaging News, Cormack Packaging discusses the evolution of dispensing closures and technology in Australia, and their ongoing commitment to be at the forefront of closure innovations.
The functionality of dispensing closures has evolved from basic sealing and protection to improved dispensing and the creation of a total product experience for consumers. In Australia, Cormack Packaging is one of the pioneers in this packaging sector.
Change in the design and function of dispensing closures has been driven by the evolving needs of both consumers and brand owners. As time-poor consumers have become more product savvy, they have demanded products that offered ease of use, improved accessibility, and greater value for money. Brand owners have realised the importance of adapting their product range to match consumer expectations and to respond to increased competition as a result of globalisation, the growing pressure of private label in the Australian retail environment, and price sensitivity. Sydney-based specialist in dispensers and closures Cormack Packaging tells PKN it has been at the forefront of innovation in closures and dispensing technology in Australia. Over the past few decades, the company has introduced a broad range of dispensing and closure solutions, including twist, hinge, flip-top, double wall, sports beverage and disc-top closures. It also represents a number of international principals (Rexam, MWV Calmar, GCS - including Zeller and CCS - and Weatherchem), giving its customers access to cutting-edge dispensing and closure technology. One of the first closure breakthroughs Cormack introduced to the local market was the patented Zeller Butterfly hinged closure, which was launched in the 1980s and is still a top seller today. "This closure offered a dispensing cap with a flip-lid that was retained for the life of the pack. The flip-lid featured a definitive fold-back position when opened, making it ideal for dispensing a variety of products," says Howard Glinn, Cormack sales and marketing manager. The launch of Cormack's 28 Long Skirt Sports Cap in 1999 revolutionised the beverage industry by extending the market into new consumer categories, according to Glinn. "The pull-push closure was a first in Australia and its introduction advanced the successful integration of sports drinks into the athletic and casual fitness markets. The cap allowed hands-free operation and directional flow - optimal for quenching thirst quickly and easily," he says. Since then, refinement of the beverage sports closure to provide improved pack performance has been ongoing. Cormack's in-house design team continues to work with leading beverage manufacturers and trend experts to interpret consumer's changing needs and design cutting-edge solutions to match these. The Australian food industry has also benefited from dispensing closure innovation with the launch of Cormack Packaging's 38mm Twist Cap. "MARS Food was the first customer to see the advantages of the Twist Cap when it combined the closure with its Squeezy Bottle concept, transforming long held traditional views on the way consumers dispensed tomato sauce," Glinn says. "The traditional glass bottle format with a standard flat cap was replaced as consumers and brand owners adopted the innovation with haste." Further developments in the functionality of dispensing closures has lead to the transformation of various products and food categories, as innovation has allowed more convenient dispensing solutions for a diverse range of product viscosities.
"The incorporation of a valve into a flat topped hinged closure for the honey market allowed the container to be held upside down for better storage and improved product usage." Glinn says. "while improvements to hinged dispensing closures has allowed for more convenient, clean dispensing of a range of chunkier condiments and sauces."
The need for continued improvement and innovation in the functionality of dispensing closures is a key initiative of Cormack's new Product Development Team. The team consists of engineers and designers whose role involves taking a project from concept to commercialisation, from a customers brief through to the final execution of the project.
"The process of new product development is to understand the end users ritual of use, see what the brand owner currently has and develop a better closure for them," says Glinn
The product development team works collaboratively with account managers and designers to translate consumer insights and customer brand strategy into innovative and technically advanced closure and dispensing product solutions.
PKN Packaging News, May 2010 page 16
For more information on the range of dispensing closures featured or for more generalised product enquiries please contact us at www.cormack.com.au
On Demand- Cormack Packaging's ‘Cowboy' closure requested by NRL elite
Ever wondered how those elite players of the National Rugby League (NRL) stay hydrated? The Cormack Packaging 38mm twist beverage closure known as ‘Cowboy' proved to be the preference recently amongst a number of teams when they requested a range of their favorite Gatorade products to be supplied with the closure for the 2010 season.
Proving to be a more convenient option for players, the Gatorade brand will replace the current 38mm flat cap with the purpose designed closure. The ‘Cowboy' 38mm twist has been designed with the deliverable of easy opening and utilisation during movement occasions, which is ideal for any athlete from elite levels to the casual jogger. The twist design allows users to open and close the closure with the mouth, preventing contamination from fingers and allowing free flowing movement whilst re-hydrating. The shape of the mouthpiece allows for controlled and directional flow during consumption to quench immediate thirst, creating a positive experience for the consumer.
Functionality plays a significant role in the development of any closure by the Cormack Packaging design team. Designers take an approach of placing themselves in the eyes, and in this case lips of the consumer to deliver an exceptional product experience for brand owners. With a distinguished aesthetic from other product closures on the market, the design team went beyond functional performance to deliver a closure that commands stand out shelf presence and memorable consumer interactions.
To view the range of 2010 Beverage Closure innovations and trends from Cormack Packaging, or to find out how the design team can deliver your ideal beverage closure contact the Sales and Marketing team at sales@cormack.com.au
Cormack Packaging have again successfully retained their ‘Preferred Supplier’ status with Fast Moving Consumer Goods giant Unilever.Designed to provide Unilever with high performing supply partners, the ‘Preferred Supplier’ program implements a scoring system across areas including customer service, quality systems, DIFOT, Technical Service and Supplier Management Support. With a strong focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences, Cormack Packaging improved services in a number of key areas further highlighting an internal commitment to driving performance and quality across the total business. Recognised for award winning quality systems, a proven record of continuous improvement that has delivered benefit to the customer and a structured supply planning model that supports Unilever business demands- Cormack Packaging continue to exceed expectations as a supplier of choice with their range of personal care pumps, along with a number of exceptional locally manufactured products.“Cormack continues to play a key contributing role in our overall supply chain by providing excellent service especially in our importation needs. Overall a pleasing result despite challenging world economical situations- congratulations for maintain Preferred Status.” John Cheah, Supplier Manager Packaging for Unilever commented in the supplier performance appraisal.Unilever represents one of many organisations that recognise Cormack Packaging as their preferred supply partner.Contact sales@cormack.com.au to find out how Cormack Packaging can become a ‘Preferred Supplier’ to your organisation.
At Cormack Packaging we are celebrating 316 days and counting!
After surpassing the previous safety record of 315 days without a lost time injury, recognition was made of a site wide commitment to ensuring the health and safety of all employees.
316 Days and Counting (without a lost time injury) Safety Incentive Program has been implemented to track and communicate to all employees on a weekly basis the maintenance of this significant safety achievement. With a focus on prevention and co-operation across all levels of the organisation, all employees are now focusing on achieving the next milestone of 400 days without a lost time injury.
In celebrating the achievement with all team members at a special lunch function, Mathew Cormack, Managing Director acknowledged that it is every individual's right to return home safely from work each day, but that it is also their duty to both themselves as individuals and to their colleagues to ensure that they practice the discipline of good Occupational Health and Safety that Cormack Packaging have embedded into the organisation.
In his speech to staff, he also expressed the importance of Occupational Health and Safety practices in the success of the business and its ability to be productive and grow in the current environment.
David Mellows, Operations Manager echoed these comments adding that Occupational Health and Safety and Lost Time Injury was every person's responsibility from the office staff to manufacturing operators, and that all employees had a role in achieving this milestone for Cormack.
Where quality is a focus every day in every thing we do, Cormack Packaging are proud of this achievement and look forward to celebrating 400 days without a lost time injury...... 84 days and counting.
Cormack Packaging has been recognised for their outstanding commitment to a total quality systems approach, being recognised as a national finalist in the 2009 SAI Global Quality Systems Awards in Brisbane on Wednesday 3rd of June.
In conducting the Awards Program, SAI Global select finalists based on criteria of an organisation that can create confidence in the capability of its processes and in the quality of its products and services. They also look for organisation's who foster continuous improvement practices and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering the anticipated outcomes of these programs. Underpinning this criteria are the fundamentals of the ISO 9001 standard.
With Cormack Packaging recently upgrading their certification to the 9001:2008 standards, this was an ideal opportunity for the business to showcase the dedication and commitment to Quality Management Systems across all levels of the organisation. The resounding sentiment of the Cormack quality process is ‘How we work together is as important as What we work on'.
Cormack's clear vision and values, simplification of the strategic process, leverage of global partnerships with customers and suppliers and a balance between aspiration and execution drive the delivery of core processes- being customer focus, continuous improvement, people and compliance. A robust and structured framework incorporates these factors building a foundation up that is inclusive of all facets and levels of the business from manufacturing floor to board of directors.
Representing Cormack packaging at the Awards ceremony in Brisbane were, Mathew Cormack Managing Director and Joe Nguyen Quality Manager.
Mathew Cormack reflected on the recognition of Cormack Packaging,
"The SAI Global Awards are a tool to recognise and benchmark our efforts against other class leading organisations. Cormack has a very simple vision we will be 'The Preferred Supplier' to our customer partners, indeed Cormack will be globally competitive in all aspects of service, quality and price. To achieve these goals we must have superior management systems that underpin our business and we must challenge ourselves to benchmark against best in class. In the high volume packaging industry process repeatability, six sigma methodologies to optimise those processes and a continuous improvement culture all assist to drive our business performance to this goal of being best in class. Recognition from the SAI of the efforts by the Cormack team is a welcome encouragement to continue to strive and deliver on our commitment to our customers."
David Mellows, Operations Manager was honoured to be included amongst the distinguished list of finalists for 2009,
"From our point of view it is nice to be nominated in the company of organisations of that quality, it is a real honour. It is a great opportunity for us to continue to benchmark ourselves amongst organisations that we would not typically consider as peers."
"I am proud of the team that we achieved a finalist position in the first year of participation in these Awards, and we will continue to work towards improving upon this position in 2010" he went on to comment.
To view more on Cormack Packaging Certification and Quality Management Systems, simply click on the "Quality Assurance" menu at http://www.cormack.com.au/
Cormack Packaging recently celebrated the graduation of seven production employees who were successful in obtaining their TAFE recognised Certificate IV in Competitive Manufacturing. Cormack now has 60% of the total operations workforce- with a minimum of Certificate III and a further 20% of operation staff with a Certificate IV in Lean manufacturing. Supply, Manufacturing and Engineering functions were represented as each employee received their certificate of completion from Cormack Packaging Managing Director Mathew Cormack, Operations Manager David Mellows, Quality Manager Joe Nguyen and from trainers representing Australian Apprenticeship Arrangements who conducted the ten month course with staff.
Reinforcing an organisational focus on delivering the highest quality standards to our customers and constantly improving our product delivery through the application continuous improvement and lean manufacturing principles, the education program which is focused on operational improvement and sustainability of high level performance through successful implementation and maintenance of process improvements. It also highlights the strong strategic focus by Cormack into investing in the development of our people to increase performance and ownership across the organisation to continue our position as a leader in the market place.
Mathew Cormack said of the achievement of employees involved "Our Cormack Values state "Knowledge is our currency of the future, Innovation is our knowledge transformed into economic value. Our ongoing investment into training and education of our staff is a demonstrated and continued commitment to our core values, our people, and to lean manufacturing disciplines. As an organisation we place in high regard not only the skill acquisition of those involved, but also the enthusiasm of participants to share their newly acquired skills through application within the work place. What this means for our customers is the highest possible performance and consistency in their filling plants coupled with a commitment to world competitive supply costs. People do make the difference especially when your people have the right skills, the right game plan and the enthusiasm and commitment to be winners. At Cormack we live our Values, and at Cormack our people really do make the difference, this is a great demonstration of Our Cormack Values in action".
Cormack will continue to progress the Competitive Manufacturing program within the organisation with additional staff selected to commence Certificate IV qualifications throughout 2009.
es featured or for more generalised product enquiries please contact us at 
