Kishan Singh, CEO of MetPac-SA, Global Ambassador of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) and National Education Officer of the Institute of Packaging SA (IPSA), has become the first packaging expert in South Africa to be awarded the designation “Certified Packaging Professional” (CPP) by the international Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP), based in the United States of America.

History of Certified Packaging Professional Designation

Since 1972, the IoPP has been awarding this designation to packaging professionals who have proven themselves to be worthy of the CPP status. To date, however, there are less than 2 500 individuals worldwide who have achieved this coveted CPP status which requires proof of years of experience, ­­an in-depth packaging knowledge, as well as commitment to the global packaging industry. The CPP programme is now also endorsed by WPO and IPSA.

Explains Kishan: "The CPP designation has become the leading mark of excellence internationally and a must-have recognition of industry proficiency and achievement for packaging professionals. I am very pleased about attaining the CPP designation, as it is a commitment to excellence in the global packaging profession as well as an important investment in my professional development.” Kishan is now permitted to use the suffix “CPP” after his name on business cards and letterheads, to wear the IoPP/CPP lapel pin, and to display the CPP Certificate.

Ensuring a globally level playing field

The CPP designation is based on current skills and expertise, and candidates are required to be re-certificated every 3 years as part of a continuous professional development system. The CPP programme ensures that candidates are regularly keeping abreast of current packaging trends, innovations and knowledge and the program ensures that packaging professionals are the same, globally level, playing field.

“The CPP programme helps the international packaging fraternity to better understand the level of knowledge and expertise that you truly have in the packaging field.  Being awarded the designation was therefore no easy feat as the criteria that had to be met, were extremely arduous.  Amongst other things, I was required to thoroughly demonstrate technical industry expertise and experience, as well as significant contribution towards education, within the global packaging industry, measured through a flexible applicant testing process,” he explains.

Demonstrating command of applied packaging technology

Furthermore, candidates are expected to demonstrate either their command of applied packaging technology by successfully completing a narrative exam or submitting a detailed resume of activities in which they document their past six years of experience and active participation in local and global packaging and/or related disciplines. They also have to complete a 150 question test on packaging supply chain principles, packaging graphics, packaging manufacturing techniques, packaging machinery, materials and technology, of which a minimum of 80% correct score is considered passing.

Promoting the qualification locally

“South Africans wishing to pursue this international academic qualification, will need to contact the Institute of Packaging SA (IPSA) who are now the agents for the WPO endorsed CPP programme managed through the IOPP. I encourage all those that seek to make Packaging their profession, and who wish to be recognised in a vibrant and ever-changing industry to seek this internationally accepted packaging designation. It’s a tough process, but a valuable investment in your career and, through IPSA, I would be happy to offer help and advice to others who are interested in also applying for the CPP designation,” Kishan concludes.

For more information, visit www.iopp.org or www.ipsa.org.za 

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Issued on behalf of MetPac-SA.

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MetPac-SA has appointed packaging guru, Kishan Singh, to take over the helm from Delanie Bezuidenhout as the organisation’s new Chief Executive Officer with effect from the 1st of March 2018. 

Educational and career highlights

Kishan is widely known and respected for his in-depth knowledge, technical and commercial expertise within the metals packaging sector. He obtained his BSc degree (majoring in Chemistry and Biochemistry) from the University of Durban Westville in 1987, before completing his Post Graduate qualification in Management Sciences. He then achieved the City and Guilds (Quality Management) through the UK, obtaining distinctions in both the modules.

He recently acquired the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt status through Dr Mikel Harry’s Six Sigma Management Institute USA, and is currently busy with his Masters/PhD degree in Quality Management in South Africa. This degree focuses on practical techniques in ISO9001:2015 Business Systems design that will actually deliver true and measurable financial benefits through process optimisation, rather than the current stagnant methodologies employed over the past 30 years.

He gained valuable hands-on experience as the Quality Manager of Nampak DivFood Mobeni (2003-2016), managing the business across Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering and Sales, before starting his own Management Consulting and Training company, Global Integrated Business Solutions (Pty) Ltd. They specialise in integrated Business Management Systems as well as the design of Quality Business System Models in support of overall business objectives.

Views on the future of the metals packaging industry

Commenting on his new appointment, Kishan says it is an honour and a privilege to continue serving the metal packaging sector and that he is extremely excited about what the future holds for this industry.

“The rapid growth in global population, accelerated globalisation, rising GDPs, emerging middle classes and a deep awareness of environmental sustainability, have all placed a critical demand on better packaging that is able to support our changing and fast paced lifestyles. Since the early 1800s when the food was canned for the first time by French inventor and confectioner, Nicolas Appert, metal packaging has been a logical and practical packaging solution for a wide range of different applications. Given its demonstrated relatively high recovery rates, metal packaging will most certainly continue to hold its place in the packaging industry in the future. It is able to adapt and accommodate to the requirements of the modern consumer by shape changes, functionality changes, closure changes, and most importantly, by an unwavering industry quest for packaging mass reduction, without compromising packaging efficacy,” Kishan says.

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 Challenges facing the local metals packaging industry

Although the future looks bright, Kishan says he also mindful of the various challenges that need to be overcome.

“The metals industry should not underestimate the threat of losing market share to other packaging materials. We should therefore constantly be on the lookout for ways to innovate and promote the message that metal is truly an environmentally sustainable packaging solution. Spreading the recycling message, news of our industry’s ongoing and impressive metal recovery rates, as well as continual innovation to preserve natural resources, are all critical in proving our extended producer responsibility to the consumer, government and other stake holders,” Kishan explains.

To this end, Kishan will be taking a leading role over the next few months in completing and submitting MetPac-SA’s plan for the Industry Waste Management Plan (IndWMP) by the September 2018 deadline. “This will probably be the single most important initiative that I will be driving in the short-to medium term as the entire packaging industry, through dedicated Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), are all currently working together to achieve this deadline,” he says.

Encouraging the metals packaging industry to speak with a united voice

Another key area of focus for him will be increasing membership to MetPac-SA by encouraging raw material suppliers, primary packaging converters, fillers,bottlers as well as brand owners to create a truly unified voice that promotes the benefits of metal packaging and demonstrates manufacturer responsibility on efficient use of raw materials.

“It is vitally important for all the members of the metals packaging value chain to come together, not only as packaging people, but as industrialists, to work in harmony with the planet by creating a true, circular economy. Joining a PRO such as MetPac-SA is not only the right thing to do from an environmental point of view, but it strengthens our hands and our combined efforts to plough back much-needed research, resources and results to create an environmentally responsible, sustainable industry,” Kishan implores.  

For more information about MetPac-SA, visit their website on www.metpacsa.org.za or email Kishan Singh directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.