| 49 T T Virginia Wright Innovation broadens operations The business supports a wider range of primary industries, supplying functional, innovative, and sustainable packaging solutions. Punchbowl Packaging “One of the things that’s really important about packaging is how well it works with the equipment it’s meant to be used on.” HORTICULTURE Established in the 1980s by Rob and Maree Craig, Punchbowl Group began as a kiwifruit orchard and packhouse operation, and as the business grew, the team developed practical solutions to improve efficiency within their own operations, many of which proved so effective they evolved into standalone businesses. Punchbowl Group now stands as a vertically integrated family of companies spanning horticulture, packaging, and automation, offering solutions across primary industries. Punchbowl PackCo manages and operates orchards, together with a packhouse and 3PL coolstore facilities near Pukekohe. Punchbowl Automation provides machinery and automation solutions designed to optimise packing operations, and Jet Black Fans provide high-volume, low-speed air-flow solutions to cool large areas and improve productivity. Punchbowl Packaging was initially established in the 1990s with a focus on the kiwifruit industry, and is now led by Maree and Rob’s eldest son, Shane Craig. Under his leadership the business has grown and diversified over the last 20 years to support a wider range of primary industries, supplying functional, innovative, and sustainable packaging solutions. These include punnets, trays, polybags and liners, corner boards, strapping, industrial packaging, and various lidding options. Products are made from a range of materials, including some renewable, compostable or recyclable options, giving customers the flexibility to improve efficiency, differentiate their products, and source alternatives with sustainable benefits. Aiden Sharp is Punchbowl Packaging’s technical sales manager, working closely with clients while staying across industry developments and future trends. With a background in flexible packaging (i.e. materials such as soft plastics and paper), Aiden joined the Punchbowl team five years ago and was struck by both the pace of change in the industry at large, and the level of integration across the group. “One of the things that’s really important about packaging is how well it works with the equipment it’s meant to be used on,” he says. “So having the automation company as well means we can offer turnkey, complete solutions. It’s about combining the best packaging with the best automation equipment to deliver the fastest and most reliable option in the market, according to industry benchmarks.” The benefits of this integrated approach are evident in the automation of what was once a manual process placing a plastic liner (polybag) into a cardboard box for kiwifruit packing. Its development was driven by Punchbowl Group’s ability to test and implement solutions within its own operations before taking them to market. Innovations in the sustainable packaging space put Punchbowl Packaging on the world stage when it won the 2020 Worldstar Packaging Awards in the Food category, and the Material & Components Category for their fibre punnets with top seal lidding film. An example of Kiwi ingenuity providing more options to growers and their customer base, these have been highly regarded by organic and smaller growers. Using a plant-based, renewable material, such as bagasse (made from sugarcane pulp) with a top seal lidding film, reduces the plastic content by 85% compared to plastic clamshells, and lowers packaging weight, improving efficiencies through the logistics network. Whether delivering an off-the-shelf solution, or collaborating on a fully-customised system alongside Punchbowl Automation, Punchbowl Packaging focuses on practical and effective outcomes. Each solution reflects a commitment to functionality, sustainability, and continuous improvement, supporting customers to meet evolving market demands. WWW.KAM.NET.NZ KAM TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS CATERING TO ALL YOUR CONTAINER, TRANSPORTATION, CHILLED MOVEMENTS & 3PL WAREHOUSING NEEDS NATIONWIDE
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