In early 1986 John Lennon of the National Materials Handling Bureau (NMHB) circulated letters to four major Australian Suppliers, being Bisley & Company, Bulkers, Rheem and Sarlon in the view to meet and discuss the merit of forming an Australian FIBC Association.
On the 27th May 1986 an informal meeting of the four FIBC suppliers was held in Surry Hills, Sydney, and was attended by the following: David Haslam from Bulkers. Robin Le Blanc Smith, from Sarlon. Mark Crasti from Bisley. John Lennon from the National Materials Handling Bureau (NMHB).
This meeting was held to table a proposal to form an Association of FIBC Suppliers and Manufacturers. At this meeting it was agreed that an Association would be formed and that the first order of business would be to prepare a Constitution, Membership Application, Association Logo and Code of Practice.
The Association was officially formed on the 29th August 1986 after several meetings to formulate a Constitution based on the European FIBC Association's Constitution. A Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer were elected all being Honorary until formal Membership Applications and fees were received.
Formal Election of office bearers took place on the 28th of November 1986. Chairman - Malcolm James from Rheem Treasurer - Mark Crasti from Bisley Secretary - John Lennon from the NMHB At this meeting a list of 8 potential additional members was drawn up which included Bulk Handling Australia (BHA) and Pope Packaging whom are current members.
On the 7th of May 1987 BHA was officially welcomed as a new member of the AFIBCA.
On the 8th of May 1987 the first Australian FIBC Seminar was held at the NMHB site in Ryde, NSW, at which members of the AFIBCA presented papers including representatives from industries around Australia.
25th June 1987 the Code of Practice was adopted and John Lennon resigned as Secretary of the AFIBCA.
18th September 1987 the AFIBCA's logo is registered and adopted.
22nd March 1988 Malcolm James resigns as Chairman and David Haslam is elected as his successor. It is decided that the Chairman holds the office of both Chairman and Secretary and minutes from meetings is to be shared by members. Mark Crasti re-elected as Treasurer.
In 1988 the final draft of the first Australian Standard for FIBC's was approved and was published on the 21st of July 1989 as AS3668 -1989.
In mid 1990 Rheem Australia is sold to South Australian Breweries which later becomes Southcorp Packaging.
In 1991 David Haslam stepped down as Chairman and Howard Riley of BHA is elected as his replacement. Mark Crasti is again elected as Treasurer.
In 1996 Mark Crasti leaves Bisley to form Crasti & Company Pty Ltd.
18th November 1997 St Regis Bates is welcomed as a new member of the Association.
In 1997 Sarlon is taken over by Donaghy's in New Zealand and Donaghy's Sarlon is formed.
In 1997 St Regis Bates is bought out by Amcor to form Amcor St Regis Bates.
November 1998 in Amsterdam, Howard Riley, as AFIBCA chairman presents a paper on the Australian FIBC market to the first World Congress on FIBC's.
27th September 1999 both Pope and Colquhoun's are welcomed as new members of the AFIBCA.
28th March 2001 Howard Riley of BHA steps down as Chairman and Andrew Smith of Bulkers is elected as his successor. Mark Crasti is re-elected as the Treasurer.
In June 2001 Southcorp packaging is sold to Visy Industries
In mid 2001 BHA acquire Bulkers and forms BHA Bulkers, the manufacturing subsidiary of Bulk Handling Australia.
December 2001 Donaghy's Sarlon ceases trading in FIBC's. Masssoud Doranian leaves and forms Sarbags who take out AFIBCA membership.
In 2002 BHA acquires Visy Packaging's FIBC division.
25th March 2003, Paccom welcomed as a new member of the AFIBCA, the resignation by Andrew Smith of BHA Bulkers as Chairman due to retirement and the appointment of Steven Howison from BHA as Chairman is effected. Mark Crasti is re-elected as Treasurer of the Association.
