Australian retailers and manufacturers met in Sydney today with the global sustainability director of the Consumer Goods
Forum (CGF), Ignacio Gavilan, who was in Australia for the 2016 HVACR Energy Efficiency Seminar in Sydney.
The CGF is the leading global industry association for the retail and food manufacturing industry representing more than 400 multinational firms.
A large proportion of CGF members have operations in Australia and Gavilan said the Forum is keen to get a better understanding of local issues and to increase engagement with firms here and throughout South East Asia.
"We have a strong presence in Europe and the Americas but all of the issues we are dealing with over there are relevant here we just need to increase our visibility," he said.
"The CGF doesn't have a secretariat in Australia as the organisation is based in Paris, France which is why it is so important
for us to bring together manufacturers and retailers locally under a single umbrella.
"The forum was created to represent the interests of firms that rely on refrigeration to do business and to promote the
use of natural refrigerant-based technologies such as ammonia, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons."
Gavilan will deliver the keynote address at the HVACR Energy Efficiency seminar which is being held at Australian Technology Park in Redfern tomorrow April 5, 2016.
He will provide real-world examples of how these technologies are being successfully used throughout the supply chain. He will also explain why CGF members consider natural refrigerants to be superior to synthetics, and how they can be used to
optimise refrigeration systems.
After meeting with local CGF members earlier today Gavilan is already planning his return trip to Australia later this year in September or October.
Australian members include Brambles, Metcash, Woolworths, GS1 Australia and the Australian Food and Grocery Council.
"Peer to peer networking in a non-competitive environment is important for our members and this is what we want to create for organisations in Australia," Gavilan said.
He said the forum's work is based on four pillars - sustainability, end to end value chain and standards, product safety, health and wellness.
For information about the HVACR Energy Efficiency Seminar tomorrow contact peter.evans@ausref.org.au