A new, “more powerful” trade association to be known as PAFA (Packaging and Films Association) will combine the interests of the former PIFA (Packaging and Industrial Films Association) and FPA (Flexible Packaging Association) to represent the £2B UK film manufacturing and converting industry. The new association will represent around 80 per cent of the UK flexibles industry.
David Tyson, former chief executive of PIFA, will become chief executive of PAFA, and Martin Unwin, director of the FPA for the last 21 years, will retire on June 30 but continue to support the association for the remainder of the year. Barry Turner, managing director of the Britton Group’s Security, Retail & Mailing businesses, will be chairman of PAFA, and David Read, md of Printpack, will be vice chairman.
David Tyson comments: “This move recognizes the need to change gear in the way the flexible packaging industry is represented in a highly competitive global trading environment. The continuous process of mergers and acquisitions resulting from the globalization of the industry has resulted in members of the two former associations now sharing many common challenges which can be far better served by a single powerful voice. I urge every business in this sector to come on board and share the knowledge, influence, skills and business intelligence of our new association.”
Martin Unwin adds: “There is no better time to bring our organizations together and there is no doubt that we will add greater strength and influence from doing so.”
PAFA will operate around a triple core group structure representing converters; thermoformers; film extruders; and flexible packaging converters and printers. There will also be specialist groups, and Associate Membership will be available to attract businesses such as machinery and raw material suppliers which support the flexible packaging industry.
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