Being nominated for Business of the Year 2015 Award has given me pause to reflect on the journey of RollsPack. Over 25 years ago, I started with a small empty factory having only a desk and a radiator  – and it was middle of winter and a recession time to boot! Today, many recessions and many tough lessons later, we operate from 3 sites in Braeside, Sydney and New Zealand while currently setting up a factory in China –  for the Chinese domestic market.

RollsPack has established itself as a leading Australian manufacturer of flexible plastic packaging. We are Australia’s top supplier of tamper evident and Security products for Banks – as well as Police and Government entities and Cash transit carriers across Australia and New Zealand. We also supply courier bags, Express and Parcel Post satchels for Australia Post, Toll Priority and the growing online retail sector requiring customised postal bags and Mailers.

Our printed, laminated food packaging sector is growing  fast with industry clients like Fonterra, Cadburys ,Coles and Woolworths are expanding their divisions to feed Australia’s “dining boom”.

The current economic climate is unsettling to say the least. But I believe Change, impactful change, can occur very quickly given the right timing and insightful action by business. In our segment of the manufacturing Industry, RollsPack  has made  a pretty significant investment to turn the  tide – while many are giving up. Foreign competition, high labour costs and lack of Government support have all impacted and our Industry is losing traction. Once Manufacturing in Australia was 25% of GDP, now 7%, now 75% of the workforce are employed in the service Industries.

So we’ve moved forward, on our own. We’ve begun what will be an $8 Million investment in new plant equipment and built Internal structures to meet and grow local and overseas demand using new opportunities afforded by the digital age.

There is talk that China’s boom market might be slowing, but it still remains a massive opportunity that will continue to play a leading role in global markets. We tend to be in a isolated bubble here, but unless you bench mark yourselves with world’s best practice, you will find it challenging to achieve your goals. Customers are well informed with high expectations. We have to continuously adapt, use new solutions. They want Australian quality and delivery, but at Asian prices.

Our aim is to bring work back to Australia!  We are a strong supporter of a local workforce, sustainable training programmes and community action. We will be soon making security products for the Chinese domestic market.

We will also bring food packaging back to Australia. The low AUD is supporting the move and we believe once we can show we can make the quality product here, we will keep the business here and growing.

Above all I am blessed with having Passionate, loyal talented staff, who make things happen. You cant do without them. I sincerely thank them all.

Phillip Rolls.