Heritage meets innovation

In the ever-evolving world of packaging, where speed, flexibility and sustainability increasingly define market leaders, PPD Group is a standout not just for what it does, but for how deeply it remembers where it comes from.

‘We’re not just a business. We’re a continuation of a family tradition that goes back to Nasionale Pers*,’ says James Coetzer, group development director of PPD Group. ‘My great-grandfather was in printing. It’s in our bloodstream. Establishing PPD in 2005 was really about carrying that flame into a new era.’

That new era began in a modest Honeydew, Johannesburg facility, focused tightly on serving South Africa’s short-run flexible packaging market with fast turnaround times. Today, it’s a different picture. The PPD Group has matured into a multi-division enterprise that stretches across two provinces and offers a full packaging ecosystem under one umbrella through PPD Plastics and PPD Labels. Its most recent expansion, Co-Flex Packaging, opened in Cape Town in 2023.

‘This structure allows us to work across categories and serve the full spectrum of customer needs,’ James explains. ‘Whether it’s a start-up needing short-run trial packs or a national brand looking for high-volume lamination, we can do it all in-house – from design and plate making to final material spec.’

At the core of its capabilities lies a carefully curated palette of materials: poly-coated papers, self-adhesive films, laminates such as BOPP and polyester and foils. These are the ingredients behind the high-performance packaging solutions the company provides – especially for its growing base of FMCG customers.

‘We’ve built our supply chain around long-standing relationships with global partners, which ensures consistency and innovation,’ James adds. ‘That network has been crucial in keeping us ahead of the curve, especially as more customers demand eco-conscious options.’

Sustainability, James insists, isn’t a buzzword at PPD Group – it’s a mandate. The company is currently trialling biodegradable and recyclable alternatives sourced from its international partners, with plans to launch a range of eco-friendly offerings in the near future.

‘We don’t just wait for the market to tell us what’s next – we engage with our suppliers constantly to understand what’s coming. That’s how we’ve always worked and it’s how we’ll stay relevant,’ he says.

That future-focused mindset is evident in the company’s continued investment in technology. A new state-of-the-art laminator is en route, with a high-end CI press not far behind. ‘We want to build resilience and agility into our systems,’ James notes. ‘That’s especially important for the kind of short-run, quick turnaround work that’s become our hallmark.’

Indeed, PPD Group’s manufacturing agility – anchored in both Johannesburg and Cape Town – means the company can accommodate a wide range of production demands. Its use of both inline and CI presses, as well as maintaining raw material stock, ensures the ability to pivot quickly without compromising quality.

‘The industry moves fast. Having both narrow- and wide-web capabilities allows us to say yes more often, especially to customers who need things yesterday,’ James quips. ‘And because we control so much of the process internally, we can turn jobs around with real precision.’

As the African packaging market becomes more dynamic, James sees opportunity in the company’s ability to offer nimble, tailored solutions across geographies. ‘We’re focused on growing strategically,’ he says. ‘That means scaling responsibly, investing in talent and building partnerships – not just chasing volume.’

For PPD Group, success isn’t just about the next job – it’s about the next generation. ‘This business has always been personal,’ James reflects. ‘We’re not just building a company. We’re building a legacy that respects where we come from and pushes the boundaries of where we can go.’