The shared commitment that drives Master Plastics forward
Our CEO, Manley Diedloff, is featured in this month’s “Packaging Pro’s in Focus” in Packaging & Print Media. True to his leadership style, he used the spotlight not to reflect on individual achievement, but to acknowledge the immense value of his people and collaboration in advancing Master Plastics.
This feature highlights the shared commitment that drives our business forward: advancing technology, challenging convention and delivering responsible, value-driven solutions. We are proud to see the collective efforts of our people and key stakeholders reflected through this platform.
In a sector where innovation moves at the speed of a press, Master Plastics stands out for its balance of precision, purpose and people. At the helm, Manley Diedloff leads with collaboration and clarity, proving that true progress is powered not by machines, but by the minds behind them. Here, he reflects on the journey and the lessons shaping one of South Africa’s most forward-thinking flexible packaging companies.
Looking back at your career, what key milestones have defined your journey in the sector?
Taking the reins as both CEO and shareholder of Master Plastics after its spin-off from the old Astrapak group was a defining moment. My first focus was strengthening an already capable leadership team and creating the conditions for them to drive innovation, sustainability and stability. Choosing to prioritise sustainability and continuous improvement early on shaped not only my leadership philosophy but also our company’s long-term trajectory.
In this industry, real success doesn’t come from assets alone – it comes from people. You can invest in machinery, but building a team that can truly maximise the impact of those assets is where the magic happens. That’s the difference between being a manufacturer and being a leader in packaging innovation.
What would you say sets Master Plastics apart in such a competitive flexible packaging landscape?
It’s simple: our people. Their commitment to a shared purpose makes all the difference. The Master Plastics team has cultivated a culture of innovation, accountability and agility. That means we can move quickly, tackle challenges creatively and deliver consistently.
We don’t just make packaging – we co-create it. Our teams work directly with customers to design solutions that perform better and tread lighter on the planet. It’s a collective, purpose-driven approach that keeps us ahead of the curve.
Plastics often find themselves in the environmental crossfire. How is Master Plastics addressing sustainability and recyclability in practical terms?
We treat sustainability as everyone’s responsibility. From leadership to technical and production teams, everyone contributes to making our packaging smarter. We’re constantly rethinking how we design, use, process and recover materials – from lightweighting and recyclability to incorporating recycled content and re-engineering production lines.
Plastics are essential, but the key is how intelligently we use them. Our focus is on making the entire lifecycle more sustainable — not just the product.
What developments have most transformed your operations?
Technology is vital, but it’s people who make it powerful. We’ve invested heavily in state-of-the-art systems, but our real advantage lies in how our teams apply their expertise.
One major leap has been our development of a patented range of fully recyclable films. We were also the first flexible printing company in South Africa to adopt ECG (extended colour gamut) printing and, more recently, water-based inks – with more exciting innovations on the way.
With rising costs and growing sustainability demands, how do you balance commercial pressures with innovation?
It’s a fine balance, but we see sustainability not as a cost, but as a catalyst for efficiency. Our leadership, procurement and design teams collaborate closely to find smarter ways of working – whether that’s material optimisation, process refinement or developing new solutions that open up revenue streams.
At Master Plastics, “good enough” isn’t good enough. We’re always asking how we can do something smarter, cleaner or leaner. That mindset turns cost pressures into opportunities for growth.
Looking ahead, what trends in flexible packaging excite you most?
The continued shift toward circular economy thinking – and the creativity it’s sparking across the value chain – excites me most. It’s exactly the direction we anticipated when we set our sustainability strategy over five years ago, and it’s rewarding to see the market now aligning with that vision.
What advice would you offer to the next generation of packaging professionals?
Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room – it’s about creating the space for others to succeed. Clear vision, trust and communication unlock far more than top-down control ever could.
That said, there are moments to lead and moments to drive — knowing which is needed makes all the difference. My advice? Stay curious, collaborate widely and invest in the people around you. Understand the details. Because in packaging – as in life – real progress is always a team effort.
