Agility in Packaging and Logistics
VIDEO - Prof. Dr Martina Peuser, Leibnitz University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hanover, spoke about agility and how the packaging industry can profit from it.
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They are pioneers in their field, marketing experts and founders, but are still rare in the predominantly male-dominated packaging industry. This year, for the first time, interpack brought together international industry participants for the "Women in Packaging" event at the trade fair. We spoke to two successful packaging women on Tightly Packed TV Live.
A chemical engineer by training, Dr Afsaneh Nabifar is Group Leader for the global market development of biopolymers at BASF and responsible for global public affairs and sustainability activities in this area.
"I am originally from Iran, where I also studied before moving to Canada with my family. During my PhD, I had the privilege of attending a BASF summer school and it was my dream from then on to work in this field."
Afsaneh Nabifar
In 2012, she joined BASF Corporation in Wyandotte/Michigan/USA as a research scientist in polymer synthesis and was responsible for the production of acrylic resins used in printing inks. Over the years, Afsaneh Nabifar has held various positions at BASF various positions in business units of the Group that supply materials for the packaging industry. "It was always interesting to go through the different packaging processes. At the end of the day, it's all about the protection and shelf life of the products. That's what I love about my work, because it's so close to everyday life. Every time I open my fridge, I'm curious and ask myself: what kind of polymer is in this packaging? Is it multi-layered or single-layered? How was it made? Simply fascinating."
To be successful, you need fundamental qualities, says the engineer. "It's important to have a fire in your belly if you want to achieve something. But when I came from Iran 20 years ago, I didn't trust myself to do many things and was always the one who wanted to hide behind others. But over the years, I have learnt to get out of my comfort zone. As a newcomer to the packaging industry, I also realised that quickly realised how important networks are."
Afsaneh Nabifar is recognised by her colleagues as a prudent leader, that takes a targeted and strategic approach to complex challenges. "I am very proud of my team and honoured that these experts accepted me as a newcomer in the field of biopolymers. Because I came into the department with no background knowledge of biopolymers and sustainability, but I came with an open mind and a passion to drive things forward. This is a good complement to the expertise of my colleagues. Together we make a great team."
Although women are still in the minority in the packaging industry, their position has changed over the years. "We are on the right track. It is easier for women in the packaging industry today than it was ten years ago. Some barriers have been overcome, others have not. Unfortunately, there are not enough role models for young women. We have to work on that. Mentors are important here, preferably older women who have already had a career and can show what is possible. I belong to such a group myself and would like to show young women that it is possible to start a family and still be passionate about your career and drive change in the packaging world." It is important to encourage women without discouraging young men. "Ultimately, it's the qualities and skills that matter, not the gender."
Successful managing director with commitment
Nadia Taylor, Managing Director of TNA Solutions, is also a "woman in packaging". She came to Australia from her home country of Egypt in 1966, where she met her husband Alf Taylor, who had immigrated to Australia from Scotland in the same year. The two of them founded the TNA company, which has been From Australian packaging pioneer to a leading global provider of food processing and packaging solutions with over 14,000 systems installed in more than 120 countries. In 2018, she and her husband were honoured with the "Australian Ethnic Business Award", one of Australia's most coveted business awards.
"I started my career at a snack company in Australia and that's where I met my husband. We worked together for a few years and then decided to start our own company. He didn't want to at first, but at my insistence he finally gave in. That's how TNA was born."
Nadia Taylor
In addition to her work on the management board, Nadia Taylor has been supporting disadvantaged children for over 20 years with the "Nadia and Alf Taylor Foundation". The foundation now has partnerships with 130 organisations in 39 countries. "Our very first project began in South Africa. When we were travelling there on business, we saw children being taught in rusty old shipping containers. That's when we decided to build our first school there. And since then, we have focussed on education and children, because education is the way out of poverty."
Today, Nadia Taylor is delighted that more and more women are entering the packaging industry in positions of responsibility. "That's great. When we founded our company over 40 years ago, we hired women and always treated them on an equal footing with men, regardless of whether it was about salaries or their positions in the company. It was all about the qualification." Nadia's advice to all women who want to be successful in the packaging industry: "Stay persistent, be resilient. And don't listen to anyone who says you won't make it."
Valentina Aureli also spoke at the interpack "Women in Packaging" event, CEO of the Aetna Groupa company with more than 1,800 employees and ten international plants, and Marjo Halonen, who as a Vice President Communications of Metsä Board Corporation is responsible for marketing and global corporate communications in Finland. Gabi Bauer, a qualified hotel manager and business administration graduate, works in the same area. She is Head of Marketing & Communication at Uhlmann Pac-Systemea leading system provider for the packaging of pharmaceuticals.
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