The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) National Board has awarded Mr. Jason Fields, Packaging Development Manager, SunRice, a fellowship. The grade of Fellow is the highest recognition to AIP members and is designed to recognize the significant and sustained contribution to the technology, science or application to packaging in the industry. 

Mr. Fields is a BSc Applied Science graduate who has worked for the past twenty years in the field of packaging technology. His first job in the packaging industry was as a Packaging Officer with SC Johnson & Son. Since then he has held packaging development roles with Carter Holt Harvey Plastics, Colgate Palmolive and for the last nine years he has been the Packaging Development Manager for SunRice's global businesses.

When asked what he has seen change in the industry over the years, he indicated that the biggest change to the packaging industry is the power of the retailers.

"They are now prescriptive in relation to what packaging formats must be used, the coefficient of friction of shrink film, bar-coding requirements of shippers and pallets, and the move to shelf ready packaging. The continuing growth of private label is also having a major impact on brand owners", said Mr. Fields. According to him, the most significant technology that he has seen revolutionize the packaging industry is digital pre-press and electronic artwork approval.

"The world is a truly global market place now, and with advancements in electronic communication, large artwork files can be transferred from a graphic artist in Australia to a printer in Asia in a matter of hours, with pre-press completed and colour separated and trapped PDF's returned to the client within 24 hours for final electronic approval. It will be interesting to see how long before conventional static printing methods such as gravure, flexo and litho are replaced by digital printing with its options for individualisation of each image for long run work (millions of impressions)", he said.

He added that receiving the fellowship is a great and unexpected honour.  "It is humbling to be recognized by one's packaging peers, people that understand what our profession actually does", he said.

Pierre Pienaar added that "Jason is a person who always strives to maintain and give of his best in the profession of Packaging Technology. He has a sound knowledge of the science of packaging and always has the patience and ability to share that knowledge in a way that those around him who may not be in our field, understand and remember it. Jason's application to packaging is beyond repute. He is always helping people the rural areas of central and southern NSW where often expertise in this profession is not always in abundance to further their packaging education. Currently, Jason is helping with the development of packaging technology in a third world pacific island country. Here away from home, he is giving theoretical lessons, as well as spending many hours on the packaging lines teaching and showing his skills in packaging technology so that they too can benefit from his knowledge."

The AIP National Board (and WEBpackaging^®) congratulate Mr. Fields on his significant contribution to the packaging industry in Australia.