THE Ilkley based Consumer Packaging Manufacturers Alliance has continued to extend its network of global links which now encompass South America.

The international consultancy, established by former Ilkley Town Councillor Mike Ridgway five years ago, after 40 years in the packaging manufacturing industry and retiring as the Managing Director of a major Bradford European manufacturer, has the objective of acting as a packaging industry voice in a world of increasing regulation.

The CPMA already has established links in South East Asia, the Middle East and across Western and Eastern Europe and now South America, which is a region of high growth potential. The need to look beyond Europe in the future, states Mike Ridgway the Director of the CPMA, is a primary source of attention for branded product companies.

The CTG Conference is a Latin American Summit concerning Economic Creativity, Communication and Innovation and was held in Cartagena on the Caribbean Coast of Columbia and provided an opportunity to meet with business and brand owners faced with regulatory pressures.

Mike said Europe is seen as a centre for creative product and packaging design development and as such other countries look to Europe for both guidance and design support regarding regulation, maintaining brand value, product integrity and Intellectual Property Right protection.

The work of the CPMA covers all aspects of consumer products including alcohol, confectionery, snack foods, tobacco and also most recently breakfast cereals and baby formula which are receiving attention from governments.

The CPMA is not against regulation that is balanced but against regulation that is excessive, disproportionate and ineffective.

Mike said communication visits for the business are further planned in 2020 to additional areas within the Middle East, Sri Lanka sub continent, Australia and New Zealand where regulatory pressures are becoming more restrictive.