• About us
  • Contact us
Facebook Linkedin
ppm logo 250 2
  • Home
  • News
    • Acquisitions & evolutions
    • Efficiencies
    • Sustainability
    • Digital
  • Back Issues
    • Magazines
  • Directory
  • Special Projects
  • Media Kit
  • Events
  • Associations & Partners
Menu
  • Home
  • News
    • Acquisitions & evolutions
    • Efficiencies
    • Sustainability
    • Digital
  • Back Issues
    • Magazines
  • Directory
  • Special Projects
  • Media Kit
  • Events
  • Associations & Partners
Kyocera banner 1 1130x154

Lifetime Achievement citations: Keith Pearson, Joe Foster

As one of the international adjudicators, Gill Loubser spotlights some of Keith Pearson’s and Joe Foster’s outstanding achievements that led to their being honoured with WPO Lifetime Achievement Awards.

29 March 2020
in Packaging spotlight
0 0
0
Lifetime Achievement citations: Keith Pearson, Joe Foster

THE WPO (World Packaging Organisation) has named two recipients in the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ category of the 2020 WorldStar Awards: they are South Africa’s Keith Pearson and Australia’s Joe Foster (the latter, a native of Ireland, resided for many years in South Africa!).

 

‘The Lifetime Achievement in Packaging Award acknowledges and rewards excellence in all aspects of packaging science, technology, design and application,’ explains Pierre Pienaar, WPO president (incidentally, another South African now domiciled in Australia!).

‘As the discipline of packaging is truly global,’ Pierre continues, ‘the WPO is in a unique position to identify leading practitioners from around the world who have consistently pushed the boundaries in advancing the art, science and application of packaging. These prestigious awards celebrate and preserve their achievements in perpetuity.’

Keith Pearson: a South African icon

In 2018, at the culmination of an 18-year-long involvement in the WPO, Keith Pearson retired from his position as general secretary of the organisation.

Keith Pearson’s activities within the South African packaging industry are legendary, both his dedication to the industry in general and to the Institute of Packaging SA (IPSA) in particular.

To start at the beginning, Keith’s packaging career kicked off in 1970. He was first employed as an engineer at Kohler Corrugated and later transferred to Namibia to fill the role of production manager at Walvis Bay Containers. Throughout the following three decades, Keith continued to grow within the Kohler group – with his multifaceted experience covering the fields of corrugated, carton and print, cores and tubes and multiwall paper sacks – advancing finally to the position of divisional chief executive of Kohler Carton & Print. 

But aside from his success in the commercial world, Keith also shone as a member of IPSA, serving as a regional chairman and later as national chairman (2000-2004); he also chaired and was a member of IPSA’s education committee.

During his time as national chairman, Keith represented IPSA on the WPO board, and this proved to be a powerful precursor to his subsequent long-term involvement in the organisation: he went on to become an integral member of the WPO leadership team for 18 years, including heading up the education committee before serving two terms as president (2006-2011) – the first WPO president from Africa – and finally as general secretary (2012-2018). 

Ever passionate in his leadership role, networking formed a vital component of Keith’s modus operandi; he played an important role on the international packaging stage, helping to put the organisation more emphatically on the world map, thanks to high-profile programmes such as the WorldStar Awards, and the WorldStar Student Awards.

He also brought about greater brand recognition by establishing a marketing plan and a new website, and criss-crossing the globe to represent WPO at conferences and trade fairs. He also forged closer links between WPO and the International Packaging Press Organisation to ensure better understanding of WPO activities by ensuring a ‘good press’ in the world’s leading packaging journals.

Keith was closely involved in packaging development throughout Africa, helping to create packaging institutes in Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania, and ultimately the establishment of the African Packaging Organisation. 

More recently, further evidence of his passion for packaging education was unveiled when he travelled to Iran on three occasions to help establish the Iranian Institute of Packaging. 

In 2007, his achievements were recognised with South Africa’s highest accolade, being named Packaging Achiever by the Packaging Council of South Africa (now Packaging SA). And at Pack Expo (Chicago) in 2018, the Packaging & Processing Hall of Fame welcomed South Africa’s Keith Pearson as a member.

Joe Foster – inspired by goals

Spotted among 166 000 visitors tramping the aisles at interpack 2011 were two ex South Africans now living ‘down under’ … Pierre Pienaar, a previous national chairman of IPSA, now an independent packaging consultant, president of the Australian Institute of Packaging, and president of the WPO, and Joe Foster, MD of Foster Packaging. The latter, having established successful businesses in South Africa, Kenya and Ireland, relocated to Australia in 2010 where his business ventures have been outstanding success stories.

In 1998, when Joe Foster embarked on an ambitious venture to establish his own packaging business, he told me: ‘It will be very successful and the name Foster will be big in South Africa and internationally.’ 

How gratifying it is to confirm that his bullish prediction was correct!  

Some might quip ‘it’s the luck of the Irish’, but Joe Foster doesn’t buy that. His view is more prosaic. ‘If you want more luck, you have to take more chances, be more active, show up more often,’ he maintains.

Joe’s involvement in packaging started when he was 16; and he was just 20 when he moved from his native Ireland to Zimbabwe, where he was involved in engineering and production at a packaging plant, which led to production and sales positions at Kohler Flexible Packaging. Aged 34, he left Kohler and set about fulfilling his dream of ‘flying solo’ by the time he was 35. 

Indeed, it was his ‘can-do’, self-assured attitude – putting a deadline to a dream – that saw Foster Packaging evolve from a humble office in Joe’s Cape Town home to a well-respected global player, now Omniverse Foster, operating from Australian headquarters.

‘Ownership’, ‘responsibility’ and ‘service’ are the rocks on which his business success has been built. ‘My approach has been to take ownership, to take responsibility for the products I sell,’ says Joe.

The early inclusion of the word ‘International’ in the company’s name was also prophetic. From the beginning, Joe’s extended horizons and broad perspectives saw him seeking out partners in South Africa and around the world who could provide cost-effective, high-quality alternative packaging formats. And over the years he made concerted efforts to keep Foster International Packaging at the forefront of the global market, for instance taking part in any number 

of trade shows, both in South Africa and abroad. 

In 2002, Joe relocated to Dublin to better manage this global expansion, and then in 2010 he moved again – this time to Australia, where he established Foster Packaging Australia, among other things breaking new ground by offering digital printing for short-run flexible packaging. 

Then, in 2016, came the merger between Foster Packaging (both the South African and Australian operations), and Australia’s Omniverse, resulting in the Omniverse Foster Packaging Group. 

A wise man once said: ‘Goals. There’s no telling what you can do when you’re inspired by them; there’s no telling what you can do when you believe in them; there’s no telling what will happen when you act upon them.’ That sentiment seems perfectly apt for Joe Foster.

So, on behalf of the entire South African industry, the PPM team says ‘cheers’ to these two men, whose commitment and vision has caused the South African and Australian flags to fly high on the international packaging stage. They will be recognised at the WorldStar Awards ceremony taking place in Düsseldorf during interpack 2020.

Post Views: 148
Previous Post

Reliably perfect printing booms in Bapsfontein

Next Post

Plastics Pact: value chain’s ambitious 2025 targets

Related Posts

01 MetalPack INX Jun25ED
Packaging spotlight

Karbach Brewing conjures a winning legend in a can

8 July 2025
13 News May25 SAPROED
Packaging spotlight

Entries open for SAPRO Awards 2025

8 July 2025
HESTICO Picture1
Packaging spotlight

Hestico: efficiency in action

12 May 2025
Next Post
Plastics Pact: value chain’s ambitious 2025 targets

Plastics Pact: value chain’s ambitious 2025 targets

To advertise here contact Samantha Moore on 073 195 1313 / Samantha@packagingmag.co.za

Recent Posts

01 Tapes Absto Jun25ED

ABSTO’s adhesive ambitions

10 July 2025
01 WaterBased MasterPlastics Jun25ED

Breaking the solvent habit

9 July 2025
01 SmartWorks Ipex Tauler Jun25ED

SmartWorks scales up with Tauler laminator

9 July 2025
PPM Banner 1130x154
Subscriptions

Kgaogelo Khumalo

  • +27 (0)10 594 0342 kgaogelo@packagingmag.co.za
Contact us

Susi Moore

  • +27 (0)10 594 0342 susi@packagingmag.co.za

Glywnnis Wells

    +27 (0)21 762 8825 glywnnis@packagingmag.co.za
Useful links
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact us
Find us
top
  • Home
  • About us
  • Back Issues
  • Directory
  • Special Projects
  • Media Kit
  • Events
  • Associations & Partners
  • Privacy Policy
  • POPIA/PAIA & Privacy
Menu
  • Home
  • About us
  • Back Issues
  • Directory
  • Special Projects
  • Media Kit
  • Events
  • Associations & Partners
  • Privacy Policy
  • POPIA/PAIA & Privacy

Copyright © 2024 Packaging and Print Media

No Result
View All Result
  • 404 Error, content does not exist anymore
  • About us
  • April 2010 – Online Magazine
  • April 2011 – Online Magazine
  • April 2012 – Online Magazine
  • April 2013 – Online Magazine
  • April 2014 – Online Magazine
  • April 2015 – Online Magazine
  • April 2016 – Online Magazine
  • April 2017 – Online Magazine
  • April 2018 – Online Magazine
  • April 2019 – B – Online Magazine
  • April 2019 – Online Magazine
  • Articles
  • Associations & Partners
  • August 2009 – Online Magazine
  • August 2010 – Online Magazine
  • August 2011 – Online Magazine
  • August 2012 – Online Magazine
  • August 2013 – Online Magazine
  • August 2014 – Online Magazine
  • August 2015 – Online Magazine
  • August 2016 – Online Magazine
  • August 2017 – Online Magazine
  • August 2018 – Online Magazine
  • Back Issues
  • Contact us
  • December 2010 – Online Magazine
  • December 2011 – Online Magazine
  • December 2012 – Online Magazine
  • December 2013 – Online Magazine
  • December 2014 – Online Magazine
  • December 2015 – Online Magazine
  • December 2016 – Online Magazine
  • Directory
  • Directory (Old)
  • Directory PPD
  • Event Calendar
  • Events
  • FAQ
  • February 2009 – Online Magazine
  • February 2010 – Online Magazine
  • February 2011 – Online Magazine
  • February 2012 – Online Magazine
  • February 2013 – Online Magazine
  • February 2014 – Online Magazine
  • February 2015 – Online Magazine
  • February 2016 – Online Magazine
  • February 2017 – Online Magazine
  • February 2018 – Online Magazine
  • February 2019 – Online Magazine
  • Festive 2018 – Online Magazine
  • Gallery
  • Home
  • Home-Bak
  • January 2010 – Online Magazine
  • January 2011 – Online Magazine
  • January 2012 – Online Magazine
  • January 2013 – Online Magazine
  • January 2014 – Online Magazine
  • January 2015 – Online Magazine
  • January 2016 – Online Magazine
  • January 2017 – Online Magazine
  • January 2018 – Online Magazine
  • January 2019 – Online Magazine
  • July 2009 – Online Magazine
  • July 2010 – Online Magazine
  • July 2011- Online Magazine
  • July 2012 – Online Magazine
  • July 2013 – Online Magazine
  • July 2014 – Online Magazine
  • July 2015 – Online Magazine
  • July 2016 – Online Magazine
  • July 2017 – Online Magazine
  • July 2018 – Online Magazine
  • June 2009 – Online Magazine
  • June 2010 – Online Magazine
  • June 2011 – Online Magazine
  • June 2012 – Online Magazine
  • June 2013 – Online Magazine
  • June 2014 – Online Magazine
  • June 2015 – Online Magazine
  • June 2016 – Online Magazine
  • June 2017 – Online Magazine
  • June 2018 – Online Magazine
  • June 2019 – Online Magazine
  • Login Customizer
  • March 2009 – Online Magazine
  • March 2010 – Online Magazine
  • March 2011 – Online Magazine
  • March 2012 – Online Magazine
  • March 2013 – Online Magazine
  • March 2014 – Online Magazine
  • March 2015 – Online Magazine
  • March 2016 – Online Magazine
  • March 2017 – Online Magazine
  • March 2018 – Online Magazine
  • March 2019 – Online Magazine
  • May 2009 – Online Magazine
  • May 2010 – Online Magazine
  • May 2011 – Online Magazine
  • May 2012 – Online Magazine
  • May 2013 – Online Magazine
  • May 2014 – Online Magazine
  • May 2015 – Online Magazine
  • May 2016 – Online Magazine
  • May 2017 – Online Magazine
  • May 2018 – Online Magazine
  • May 2019 – Online Magazine
  • Media Kit
  • News Categories
  • November 2009 – Online Magazine
  • November 2010 – Online Magazine
  • November 2011 – Online Magazine
  • November 2012 – Online Magazine
  • November 2013 – Online Magazine
  • November 2014 – Online Magazine
  • November 2015 – Online Magazine
  • November 2016 – Online Magazine
  • November 2017 – Online Magazine
  • October 2009 – Online Magazine
  • October 2010 – Online Magazine
  • October 2011 – Online Magazine
  • October 2012 – Online Magazine
  • October 2013 – Online Magazine
  • October 2014 – Online Magazine
  • October 2015 – Online Magazine
  • October 2016 – Online Magazine
  • October 2017 – Online Magazine
  • October 2018 – Online Magazine
  • PDF Text
  • POPIA/PAIA & Privacy
  • PPD Directory
  • Sample Page
  • September 2009 – Online Magazine
  • September 2010 – Online Magazine
  • September 2011 – Online Magazine
  • September 2012 – Online Magazine
  • September 2013 – Online Magazine
  • September 2014 – Online Magazine
  • September 2015 – Online Magazine
  • September 2016 – Online Magazine
  • September 2017 – Online Magazine
  • September 2018 – Online Magazine
  • Special Projects
  • Special Projects OLD
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Test
  • Test – June 2019 Magazine
  • Testimonials
  • testing
  • TopPages
  • WPMS HTML Sitemap

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

X