Packaging’s own David Attenborough, Neil Farmer, reflects on a lifetime in the industry and the personal milestones that shaped his distinguished career
“After 46 years of work in the packaging industry I am planning to step-back from my day-to-day activities in the sector. However, I intend to ensure that my knowledge and expertise is not lost.
I will continue to offer advisory services, consultations and expert analysis to clients on a global basis. As my role changes, however, now is perhaps an appropriate time to reflect on my life in the industry.
My career as director, senior manager and consultant has been rewarding, stimulating and successful. ‘Tempus Fugit’ (time files) is a well-known Latin saying and it certainly applies in my case. I’ve worked for major public limited companies, evaluated new technologies, materials and travelled on a global scale to create new markets and business opportunities. I have also had a great career as a consultant and industry specialist, which has enabled me to share my passion for packaging in all its forms.
How it all started
In 1978 I joined the Metal Closures Group as Market Research Manager, tasked with analysing and investigating business opportunities in the global packaging industry. The thing which really appealed to me was the global reach of the industry. It is now valued at over $750 billion encompassing metals, rigid and flexible plastics, paper and board, glass, labels and much more. I was fortunate because the company I was with was an international player and I was soon immersed in all of the above markets and technologies.
It was a great learning curve and one which set me in good stead over the following decades. I had 12 very happy years with the company and still have many friends with whom I worked-sadly some no longer with us.
Innovation in PET bottles and plastic closures
The innovation that stays in my mind from all those years ago was the development of the first one litre PET soft drinks bottle and closure. The development caused quite a stir at the time and is seen as a great innovation.
The one-piece and two-piece plastic closures produced by my company were adopted by major beverage producers such as Coca-Cola, with whom we had a great relationship. Exciting times in the packaging industry. Plastics now gets a bad press but the technical performance of a plastic beverage closure is beyond question, in my opinion.
Pakex Exhibition
Around the same time in the early 1980`s, I recall being involved in my first Pakex Exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham. This was the showcase of all the latest developments in the world of packaging, encompassing 15 halls of the exhibition centre. My company was global, with licensees and agents coming from all over the world to attend the No 1 show in the industry. My enduring memory is not one of my own company exhibits, but the decision by Tetra Pak to not only produce but also fill drinks containers on its stand at the show, with a so-called “hole in the wall” operation, the first time this had been done at an exhibition in the UK. I recall the conveyors at the show whirling round with the filled cartons, demonstrating how the liquid carton was to become a key part of the industry over the coming 40 plus years.
Mergers and Acquisitions
My time at Metal Closures was exciting because I became involved in various merger and acquisition activities, which led to the company expanding into the pre-press, imaging and print market. It was a logical progression and one which led to my introduction into the global design, print and imaging sector. Following the takeover of Metal Closures by the Wassall Group, the precursor of the Melrose Group, (famous for many things, not least of all the purchase of GKN), I was headhunted in 1990 by Wace Group of London, global leaders in pre-press imaging, print and packaging.
As Communications Director I was responsible for all the marketing communications in the £500 million group, (£1.5 billion in today`s market values) with operations all over the world. Wace fell- foul of various corporate issues in the early 1990`s which led to its breakup. I then continued in the packaging industry as Marketing Director for the Ferry Pickering Group PLC, a cartons producer and then Communications Director for the Jarvis Porter Group, a cartons and labels PLC, up to 2001.
Membership of Professional Organisations
I had become Chairman of the Institute of Packaging in 1999-2000, a great opportunity to visit many companies in the packaging industry and learn more about materials, processes and markets. Also, the communication and promotion of packaging was a key deliverable of my time in office.
One of the important roles of the Institute was, and still is, the education of people in the industry. Knowledge generation is one of the important tools at our disposal and I believe much more of this is needed, if the country is to ever get back to achieving meaningful economic growth. I continued as board member and Trustee of the Institute of Packaging until 2008, when it was acquired by The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. I remained a member of the packaging board of the Institute of Materials until 2013.
In 2006 I became a Freeman of The City of London, following my election to the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers. One of the benefits of this honour is that it allowed me the right to drive my sheep across London Bridge, a right going back to the 12th century. I duly completed this task in 2022. Safe to say the sheep behaved themselves and the day went well!
Formation of Neil Farmer Associates
I had made my decision back in 2001 to set-up my own consultancy, Neil Farmer Associates, to share my knowledge and expertise with my own clients on a personal basis. I felt I had much to offer and so it has proved. The first eight years were spent working with major international clients such as Amcor, Silgan and smaller UK based businesses. In 2009, following my marriage to Rosemary in 2007 and our move to the beautiful town of Stratford-upon-Avon, I took a decision, which I believe was a great one, to concentrate my services on business consultancy and intelligence networks, providing information, knowledge, insights and assessment of the future of the global packaging industry. I have really enjoyed this 15-year period offering my services and providing hundreds of consultations on all aspects of the global packaging market – companies, materials, trends and innovations. I have also advised private clients about important developments in their markets and assisted in identifying mergers and acquisitions opportunities. As I said before, my advisory services will continue in the future.
Book on Packaging Innovations
I decided I had much insight and knowledge so that I could write and edit a book on packaging, something which I had always wanted to achieve. This was published in 2013 by Elsevier Group and is entitled: Trends in Packaging of Food, Beverages and other Fast-Moving Consumer Goods. I am pleased to say it has sold well and is still in print today. I greatly enjoy writing and have produced over 375 reports and articles for private clients, such as investment houses, public companies and media publications such as FMCG CEO and its predecessor Packaging Gazette.
Speaking at major conferences, shows and exhibitions
Information dissemination is very much a part of what I do, imparting knowledge, insights and information on the packaging industry to all who wish to learn more about the sector. I decided one of the best ways I could do this was to speak at international conferences and exhibitions.
I have spoken at over 50 major events in many countries including the USA, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland and, of course, the UK. Many have been with Easy Fairs at the Packaging Innovations shows in Birmingham and London. I have also spoken at many Packaging News events, including the Environmental Packaging Summit. I regard sustainability and environmental issues as some of the most important factors within the industry today. When I speak, I always assess the current state of the industry and provide insights into where we are currently going wrong (the list is long), and what we need to do to achieve a more sustainable future.
We have a great industry with so many good things happening, but it is often undervalued and misunderstand. I hope, over the years, I have been able to help raise the profile of packaging and convey a positive message about its value to consumers and the wider economy.
Marathon running
As part of my travels to many countries, I have managed to spend some of my spare time participating in marathons and half marathons. I have completed 300 of these races in total, including London three times. I was able to compete in the Los Angeles Marathon as part of my trip to visit the Napa Valley where I had clients in the Californian wine industry. I also ran in South Africa, whilst I was there on a business trip in the 1980`s and have great memories of running in the shadow of Table Mountain in Cape Town. I have fond memories of the country and have returned twice in recent years with Rosemary to see people and places I visited all those years ago.
I have memories also of running in Valparaiso, Chile and various European cities. However, the joy of completing my first London Marathon in 1984 is the thing I treasure most. The roar of the crowds and the inspiration of running down The Mall are something I will never forget. Incidentally after finishing the run, I was back in the office on the evening for an important meeting, which I got to at 6.00pm, after a long train journey and much carbo loading en route! After all these years I still run today, although the length of my weekly workout is now down to 10k. I greatly enjoy it and it is a key part of my weekly exercise regime. Rosemary and I also walk each day, which is something I value very much.
My advice for those coming into the packaging industry today
I would encourage any young recruits to the industry to gain as wide an understanding about every aspect of the industry – materials, markets and technologies. In my experience, the best way to do this is either by working for a major packaging manufacturer, consumer goods producer or retailer. Opportunities abound for people with an enquiring mind, a willingness to learn, flexibility and also mobility. Be prepared to relocate (even to a new country) to secure the right job. Move from one department or speciality to another in your company and understand everything about the business both technical and commercial. The wider the knowledge the better the chance of success. I have also found it important to keep up-to-date with world economic and political events that have helped establish my assessment of the future.
In conclusion do not be put off by the thought that packaging is boring. Once you get into the industry you will realise it is dynamic, exciting and intellectually stimulating. My advice is simple – give packaging a try and you will not regret it.”
Neil will be presented with an award at London Packaging Week on Thursday 12 September (2pm), recognising his immense contributions to the packaging industry
