2020 CEO Survey: Brian Lowe, Orora

There hasn’t been a time of greater need to focus on supporting our teams and looking after our mental and physical health, says Orora chief Brian Lowe.

Brian Lowe CEO of Orora. Picture: Zoe Phillips

What are the three enduring lessons or changes to flow from COVID-19?

One of my key focus areas has been to build a conversation around mental health for all Orora team members. I cannot think of a single time where there hasn’t been a greater need to focus on what we do to support our teams and normalise conversations between team members about looking after our whole selves, our mental and physical health. All our teams are continuing to do a tremendous job for Orora despite the adversity of this year.

Business has proven it has an important role in communicating during a health or general crisis. We have worked collectively across multiple jurisdictions to reinforce health messages, clarify instructions and support teams. This has been an important contributor to the Australian response and one Orora is proud to have played a role in.

COVID-19 has cemented Orora’s role as an essential services provider of food, medical and beverage packaging. Like others in the sector, we’ve made long term enhancements to our supply chains to preserve continuity and upskilled our people across all sites when responding to a health or other emergency.

How would you rate the shape of the Australian economy as we head into the new year?

It’s challenging but in Australia there is light at the end of the tunnel. Orora has been in the fortunate position of operating throughout the Pandemic and in all jurisdictions after it was deemed an essential service provider. I am incredibly humbled to lead an organisation that has continued seamlessly despite varying restrictions across jurisdictions. The important and considered steps that we’re now taking forward as a country, will be fundamental to moving us forward economically. It’s important that we continue this progress and collaboration.

What three reforms are needed to sustainably grow the economy?

The combination of factors such as automation, globalised trade and now the effects of the pandemic means education, training and job skills are fundamental to our path out of recession and to a stronger economy. We’re particularly keen to see continued coherent support of education, retraining and upskilling pathways with a focus on industry 4.0, digital transformation and data analytics as industries such as manufacturing look to keep pace with global developments.

At an operational level, Orora is a participant in Australia’s energy transition. We are a gas user and a proud early adopter of renewable (wind) energy via power purchasing agreements which supplies 80 per cent of our electricity needs on the east coast. Gas pricing remains an issue for manufacturers seeking to invest in future production while at the same time manage their longer term transition. The collaboration on energy security and pricing that is underway between the Federal Government, Producers, exporters and customers, like Orora remains an important part of reinforcing the future of manufacturing in this country.

Whilst recognising the worsening of Government budget deficits at both the Federal & State level as a result of COVID-19, broad reform of the Australian tax system remains critical to grow the economy and ensure Australia is a competitive jurisdiction to attract foreign capital. This includes reducing the 30 per cent corporate tax rate (compared to an OECD average rate of circa 21 per cent), and enacting reform of indirect taxes in conjunction with the States.

What are the three best growth opportunities for your company in 2021?

Across the Orora business we’re seeing an increased focus on sustainable products and business by customers and their consumers. We’re proud of the foundations we already have in place with respect to renewables powering 80 per cent of our energy requirements on the Australian east coast, our production of infinitely recyclable glass and aluminium beverage packaging and recycled fibre packaging in the US.

As an Australian based manufacturer of 100 per cent recyclable glass and aluminium beverage packaging products, we’re looking forward to national alignment across Australia within the next 12 – 18 months as Tasmania and Victoria look to introduce state based schemes. This will be a tremendous step forward for recycling, the environment and Orora’s contribution to the circular economy.

E-commerce – we’ve been investing into this area for some time and have seen the pandemic fast track a shift in consumer and customer behaviour. We believe this will continue and it presents a great opportunity, particularly for our North American business, Orora Packaging Solutions (OPS) which will build on its digital transition during 2021.

What impact will digital transformation have on your company?

Emerging, connected and smart technologies are transforming manufacturing globally. Within Australia we’ve invested into the next generation of industry 4.0 cadets as well as a digital platform that gives everyone from management to shopfloor the ability to visualise the manufacturing process delivering improved on efficiency, productivity and innovation.

We’re investing to increase transparency in our supply chains with enhanced visibility of customer and purchasing data available for the thousands of products distributed by Orora Packaging Solutions (OPS). OPS has also invested in operating efficiency and warehouse automation with ‘pick to light technology’ and robotics capability with further implementation planned.

Digital is also changing the way we recruit, train and develop team members for the future. This goes hand in hand with our commitment to be a leader in sustainable packaging and sees our teams working collaboratively with customers to reduce their overall carbon footprint.

How would you rate business, State and Federal Government performance this year?

While Orora was not a recipient stimulus measures during the Pandemic given our continued operations as an essential service provider, we commend the Federal Government’s economic handling of the pandemic and the support of measures such as JobKeeper, JobSeeker etc. It is also pleasing to see Federal and State assistance targeted to advance and grow Australian manufacturing, and rapid Government administrative processing is required to quickly provide economic benefits from these initiatives.

This year has shown the absolute importance of working together to resolve complex issues. Where governments, regulators and business have worked in collaboration with clear lines of communication there has been success even in the most difficult circumstances. It will be important that we continue to take this approach where possible in other areas in future.