FOOD PROCESSOR SUSTSTAINABILITY SEMINAR LAUNCESTON OVERVIEW AND OUTCOMES

FOOD PROCESSOR SUSTSTAINABILITY SEMINAR
                       LAUNCESTON ‐ OVERVIEW AND OUTCOMES
The “Food Processor Sustainability Seminar” at Launceston in Tasmania on Thursday, 12 May
2011, attracted 51 people from SME food processors, industry organisations and consultants as
well as federal, state and local authorities and training service providers. Some 25
CEOs/owners/senior managers attended.

This seminar was part of a national series being sponsored by AgriFood Skills Australia (AgriFood)
and followed on from successful seminars in Cardinia (Victoria), Logan City (Queensland) and
Darwin (Northern Territory). The seminar series complements AgriFood’s ‘Carbonproof’ project
being led by Energetics.

The process of engagement with CEOs/owners of food processing companies (particularly the
completion of a business and green skills analysis) leading up to these Seminars has assisted in
their success and provided the catalyst that brought people and organisations together. The
participants heard a number of case studies and valuable perspectives from CEOs. The seminar
managed to create an ambience in which those present begin to share information and insights.

The main themes to emerge were that companies need a range of advice and support in
preparing for the sustainability challenges. Further, diagnostics and technical “fixes” alone are
not enough. Moreover, achieving a truly sustainable enterprise its most often about better skills
utilisation of existing employees and training in specific skill sets.

A well‐advised company will:
1. focus on the needs of its senior management,
2. listen to its workforce, and
3. look to secure lasting cultural change.

The Speakers

Ralph Plarre of Fergusson‐Plarre Bakehouses provided a unique insight into his personal and
business journey from initial inquiry into Green initiatives and proving the nay‐sayers wrong about
what can be achieved by a leader with clear vision and perseverance. Being sustainable is just
good business but needs the galvanization of the entire workforce.

Mark Napper of Windsor Foods shared his experience as a regional food processor, and
commented on the early success of the Carbon Proof project. In regional areas people are
inherently open to initiatives which place value on their views and perspectives on doing things
cheaper and smarter. Bringing the perspective of another industry, Dr Roger Holmes‐Brown
spoke about the major energy savings achieved by his company Geofabrics. He stressed that not
every potential cost saving should be pursued.

                    Level 1 John McEwen House, 7 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600 PO Box 5450, Kingston ACT 2604
                                                         T: 02 6163 7200    F: 02 6163 7299 W: www.agrifoodskills.net.au

Finally, Phil Shorten briefed the seminar on the progress with the ‘Carbon Proof’ Project and the
strong impact the project is beginning to have on participating companies. This project involves
Windsor Farms; Patties Foods, Nestle and Murray Goulburn. It involves plant‐based solutions,
better workforce engagement and melding the disciplines of engineering and action learning.
While delivering benefits to participating companies, the project is intended to produce materials
which will help strengthen the competencies required for training in this sphere and improve the
quality and relevance of training delivery.

The Quadruple Bottom Line Framework (QBLF) – Governance, Environmental, Social and
Economic – was introduced during the Seminar. This framework provided feedback of the top‐
level issues identified by food processors as their key concerns. The leading four issues identified
by participants under each category, based on the seminar, were:

Environment
   1. Water recycling and management
   2. Waste Management
   3. Economic rather than environmental imperatives are the key drivers
   4. Energy consumption

Social
   1.    Change Management
   2.    Lack of good quality skilled and unskilled labour available locally
   3.    Health & safety – work cover
   4.    Recognition of prior learning – eg Cert III & IV food technology – for relevant university
         courses.

Governance
   1. Managing growth (management expertise, staff, cash flow, access to capital)
   2. Monitoring, evaluation, communication, recognition & rewards
   3. High costs of compliance and government charges
   4. Harmonisation of local, state and federal regulations

Economic
   1. Low margins
   2. Rising costs of utilities
   3. A clear link between sustainability and profitability needs to be established
   4. Cost minimisation (utilities)
   5. Increasing regulatory costs including Work Cover, FBT, health & safety

The solutions to many of these issues have significant skills and training components.

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The Way Forward

Feedback from the participants included that AgriFood had provided a very appropriate forum for
industry to have a voice on the many complex issues surrounding sustainability. It was said that
unlike many seminars of this type, this forum was unique in that it provided very useful advice,
learning and an opportunity to exchange views with tangible results and dollar savings, which
could be implemented on return to work.

The consensus from the Seminar was that participating food processors would welcome the
opportunity for further engagement as a group to address sustainability issues and challenges.
The key need expressed was for continued dialogue and opportunity to share information.

Agrifood committed to support a grouping of companies. Initially, support will take the form of
arranging periodic meetings (as and when the group decides) with the object of sharing
experiences. Support might include arranging and paying for invited speakers by government, high
quality consultants and training organisations. AgriFood committed to provide this support for at
least 12 months. An early task of the group will be to identify one or a combination of pilot
initiatives, part funded by AgriFood, in which companies would like to participate as a group.

Possibilities include:
       A more in‐depth program for Executives
       Mentoring program from experienced individuals
       General skill needs assessment
       Workforce Development training

In addition AgriFood will investigate the appropriateness of delivering both its “Carbon proof”
diagnostics workshop and also its Lean to Green workshops – based on the positive reception
these have received in other States.

The first meeting of the group is scheduled for late June in Launceston.

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Contact for more information:
For further information please contact:
Michael Claessens
General Manager
Workforce Development & Analysis
AgriFood Skills Australia
Address: Level 3, 10‐12 Brisbane Ave Barton 2600
Tel: (02) 6163 7213 Fax: (02) 6162 0610
Mob: + 043 000 9512
Email: michael.claessens@agrifoodskills.net.au
Web: www.agrifoodskills.net.au

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APPENDIX 1 – QUADRUPLE BOTTOM LINE SLIDES

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