It’s official – Keith is perfectly packed

Keith Pearson (75) of Margate was recently inducted into the Packaging and Processing Hall of Fame in Chicago, United States, which is a significant achievement, for his lifelong contribution to the packaging industry.

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Mr Pearson dedicated his life and nearly 50-year career to packaging in South African – and also in Africa and around the globe.

His passion is educating professionals and students about packaging’s significance in society, particularly in regard to addressing starvation and reducing or eliminating wastage of food and packaging.

Keith lived in Benoni for many years, but in 2016 he moved to Margate when he married Di Halstead.

Keith served as president of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) for six years before becoming its general secretary. He effectively retired from the WPO in December last year.

What did Keith consider to be the highlights of his professional packaging career?

“The most positive aspect has been the fact that I was given opportunities for personal growth, both in the company I worked for and in the organisations with which I became involved,” he said.

Other highlights for Keith were attending Harvard Business School to take part in the Advanced Management Program and being involved in the WPO and supporting the organisation’s vision of providing, ‘Better quality of life through better packaging for more people’.

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“WPO gave me the privilege of being part of a global family where developed and developing countries could network. Being inducted into the Packaging and Processing Hall of Fame is at the top of my list of highlights,” he added.

“What is most notable, however, is that he is the first non-American ever to receive this award, so this is a first for South Africa,” said his son, Gareth. 

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