Interview with Nathan Wardell
I suppose I have been around packaging and manufacturing my whole life, in machinery hire and technical services for over 30 years now. Packserv is now nearly twenty years old, but before that, I built the previous business with my father Rentafill, and was general manager there for over 10 years. As I was entering the workforce, I worked part-time for my Dad, and I did work experience with companies like Collier Packaging and Asset Packaging Machinery.
While I was growing up, businesses such as Pro-fill, Flowfill Machinery, and Asset Packaging were built around my kitchen table – even my grandfather worked as an operator in a meat packing plant. There were always machines, parts and designs at home, and on the weekends, sometimes I would get to go to the workshop with my father, which was always a treat.
How did you get into packaging manufacturing?
After school, I did a short stint as a chef, and in different roles in hospitality, which I guess gave me some experience in food, recipes and manufacturing. I then studied accounting and spent many (7) years in finance, so when it came to running a small business, before I took over Rentafill in 1996, I had at least studied management and finance. After that, of course, I quickly had to learn about pneumatics, hydraulics, electrical and mechanical applications, get some qualifications and pick it up as fast as I could to handle the new and diverse workload.
An accounting background might not seem like an advantage when you run a machinery and service business, but being able to have a meeting with a client and be able to discuss not just putting the product on the shelf and the filling, capping, labelling, coding, and boxing processes, but to analyse the market, work out manufacturing costs, cost per unit, margins, necessary volumes, distribution networks, diversification and consult on the construct of a business plan, that’s when you can really add value… It’s not just the machine you provide, the service, support or technical capabilities, it’s your expertise and experience in the industry that sets you apart. So many people just want to sell you something, and then they’re done. I wanted to start a long-term business relationship with my clients where I’m able to add value, starting from start-ups, small businesses, SMEs to large-scale manufacturing facilities.
What is your family’s history in packaging manufacturing?
My grandfather probably started things off as a line operator in a meat packing plant, my father then designed and built machinery for Reilax Packaging Machinery before starting Asset Packaging from scratch. After that, he went on to build other businesses, such as Pro-fill and Flowfill Machinery, and worked with Collier Packaging, further developing designs and manufacturing processes. He later started Rentafill, which I later took over and ran from 1996-2007, before starting Packserv when he retired. With my son now involved in the business, we’re proud to have represented four generations in the packaging industry.
Where do you think the industry is going?
New technology keeps entering the market and is playing a more active role in how our FMCG products reach the shelves, but largely a lot of processes like piston fillers, rotary cappers, conveyors and label applicators are still the backbone of our packaging and manufacturing sector and may not change any time soon. Designs from the 1960s are still being made and are in production today, just more refined, more consistent, and certainly easier to use.
What stands Packserv apart from your competitors?
We manufacture our machinery onshore in Australia. Most businesses assemble third-party machinery, rather than designing and engineering in-house. Definitely, our technical support – our technicians have to undergo various training courses in-house and externally before they can undertake most of our work. Our machinery is maintained and serviced to the highest level – this is probably the most common feedback I receive from clients who have used other suppliers – our machinery just works better.
Some of our clients, my family and I have been servicing for nearly 40 years, through our different businesses over the years, and we continue to provide great service at an affordable price, with the best products.
Some highlights from this story
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and learn a little more about Packserv’s journey. I’ve included some images here to share a little behind the scenes of the work, people, and machines that have shaped our path.
Packserv is a local machinery and manufacturing business, with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
Contact us today with your requirements and we will put you in touch with the appropriate specialist who can assist you with your production.
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