2024 Year in Review
Foam, more foam, travel, complexity, fun!
2025 is almost upon us, but as we wind down, put the feet up, and enjoy some home-made ginger-bread cookies over the holiday season (the best), it’s a perfect opportunity to take some time to reflect on the year that was.
PRP’s 2024 strategic roadmap indicated that at a macro level, there could be some economic challenges, and potentially a difficult year for some. No doubt inflation and higher operating costs were putting pressure not just on companies, but individuals, and for this there was a particular emphasis on maximizing operational efficiency while maintaining an effective and collaborative strong supply chain.
Despite the potential challenges, for us we were fortunate to have a successful year, leaving us at the end of 2024 in a position where we can leverage our efforts made to drive new growth in a wide range of markets and industrial sectors.
Foam evolution
The start of the year saw us take delivery of another new toy, this time a specialised machine to assist in foam fabrication. Over the years our ability to supply, cut, and fabricate foam continues to grow, and for us there is a strong drive to test the limits of advanced capability. The machine was a perfect acquisition to the family, and went hand in hand with the simultaneous launch of our national protective packaging brand – Protectore.
5-axis foam profiling in a Spacecase for some specialised asset protection, October 2024, PRP Manufacturing
Protectore
In February we saw the launch of our dedicated hard case and custom foam packaging brand – Protectore. With the tag line “to protect, and to store, assets that are important to you”, Protectore sources the best hard cases from around the world, and combines them with high quality foams for the ultimate in asset protection. Protectore’s brand pushed Australia wide, with the website seeing a large uptake in brand exposure and inquiries throughout the year. Expect to see more from Protectore in 2025!
Edwin undertaking CAD work during the Protectore photoshoot, February 2024, PRP Manufacturing
Business development
Many trips were taken throughout the year, with keys ones through Asia and Europe. Strategically picking the European summer as the ideal travel date, I was fortunate enough to catch up with several key suppliers and attend several events, one being London Tech Week. As a keen advocate for all things start-up and tech, it was great to mingle and network while also seeing cutting edge innovation on display.
Further events included trip to Darwin for Defence NT week, site visits to Perth, exhibitions such as ARBS, TACTIC and IMARC, while also exhibiting at Land Forces in Melbourne.
Luke Sernecki at London Tech Week, June 2024
Capability
Back to reality, and once home the machines were firing hard. This year the team made great strides in added complexity and capability over a wide range of different projects. We purchased our biggest, and smallest router bits (emphasizing a wide range of different materials, thicknesses, finishes and profiles), while we also continued to evolve in our fabrication of metal parts, including aluminum, copper, bronze and titanium. With so much going on we made an investment in horizontal and vertical lifting technology for large sheets and heavy plate, giving us a key advantage for future work.
3mm aluminum plate, profile cut, holes and countersinking, June 2024, PRP Manufacturing
Fun and games!
And finally, it’s always great to end a note on the team. The work this year has been incredible, but it’s always great to take the time to switch the mind off and enjoy the fun things in life. We now have two annual tournaments which are taken very seriously (complete with gloating trophies), while in the latter part of the year a few of the team put the VR headsets on the take on a zombie invasion. Many of you don’t know this, but we actually saved the day. You’re welcome.
Dean taking out the annual PRP table tennis championship, December 2024
With much more on the horizon, the break is great, but we can’t wait to get back into it!
Wishing everybody a relaxing and safe festive season!
Luke Sernecki
Chief Executive Officer
