Latma and ANZFTA get down to business

Latma president Grant Eastman confirmed that his association had formally endorsed the proposed merger by a majority of votes to enable it to fulfil its future objectives to broaden opportunities for recruiting and training, improve quality of programs and events, and achieve administrative costs economies of scale.

Eastman indicated that in the months to come, both organizations would recruit legal representation to move through the legal boundaries and constitutional requirements of the move which would enable the first half of 2016 to finalize detailed outstanding issues. This would entail formalizing the new organization in the first quarter of 2016, including the all-important establishment of a new name and logo by means of a contest to be held across Australia of both groups’ memberships. The ratification of a new constitution was also a high priority and this is expected to be finalized before the end of March.

The April-June quarter will see the establishment of formats and timing for a new series of industry awards, the winding up of the old organizations and the set-up phase of the necessary financial transitions, aiming toward an inaugural national conference later in the year.  

In other overview comments, the Latma president announced the establishment of a new apprentice fund introduced by Brisbane-based QLM Label Makers’ chief executive Simon Pugh in Melbourne earlier this year. He also detailed the decision by several Latma member converters and suppliers to respond to the local Wine Packers Association’s new ‘Specification for Self-Adhesive Labels’ and the operation of labels and label application in wine bottling facilities. A draft counter response is being readied by early 2016.