It appears we’re not the only ones excited about securing our latest contract for Australia Post’s new letter trays, with the Herald Sun publishing the success story last week, titled – “Sneddon & Kingston Plastics is changing at full throttle.”
The article quite rightly describes the 800,000 recyclable trays and 100,000 lids for Australia Post’s new mail sorting machinery as the largest contract in our company’s history – and depicts a rare feel-good story in the current Australian manufacturing climate.
An area often dominated by hard-luck stories about the dominance of cheap offshore suppliers and the downfall of the nation’s automotive industry… it’s certainly nice to hear some positive news regarding Australian manufacturing, and here at Sneddon & Kingston Plastics we are extremely proud to be the subject matter of this success story.
As touched on in the Herald Sun’s article, we contribute this ‘against-the-grain’ contract success to our ongoing focus on innovation and adaptability. Being formally engaged in contract moulding services for the automotive industry, we were forced to adapt a few years ago when it became evident the automotive supply chain would not survive in this country. We invested in advanced automation and decoration technology, developed advanced plastic injection moulders Services, and established a packaging process called “In Mould Labelling”, making it possible to work on more complex, specialised and short lead-time projects.
In Mould Labelling uses high precision automation equipment to place labels in the mould, becoming one with the moulded tray. This creates high quality and cost effective branding on products, which satisfied the Australia Post’s requirements perfectly.
Advanced technologies also helped us to develop our own product range of containers used mainly in the food industry, and whilst we see the packaging industry as our long-term direction, contract moulding work such as the Australia Post mail bins ensures we retain the skills we have developed, and provides a huge boost in ensuring our survival in the current environment.
To echo the words of our General Manager and third generation SK Plastics employee, Blair Sinsheimer:
“In an environment where companies are turning to foreign suppliers for goods, it’s great to have the support from one of Australia’s most trusted and recognised brands… We applaud Australia Post for keeping this work within Australia”.
We are on track to deliver the last of the new recyclable trays at the end of October, a move that will see the phasing out of the iconic white Australia Post boxes.