Plasdene was founded by Ken Pearson, who's still Managing Director today alongside his wife Margaret, who remains part of the business. These days though, it's their daughters - Jayne and Kacy - who run day to day operations across the Australian and New Zealand businesses.

Ahead of National Family Business Day this Saturday, we sat down with Jayne and Kacy to talk about growing up around the business, what's changed since they took the reins, and what it means to carry the family name forward.

Early Years

Their earliest memories of Plasdene are the kind only a family business can produce - school holidays spent racing office chairs around the warehouse, and watching a warehouse worker balance his way across the top of pallets hunting for stock at the old Chester Hill site.

"Safety standards have definitely changed!"

One story stands out. In the early '90s, as CDs were just emerging, vinyl record sleeves were a big part of Plasdene's business. A local music store settled a debt with the company the only way it could - in CDs.

"We were allowed to choose as many CDs as we wanted, and left with bags full of loot. For a hot minute, we were the coolest kids going around!"

Jayne didn't plan on a career at Plasdene - she fell into it, returning from living overseas into what was meant to be a six-month maternity leave cover.

"That was 22 years ago! Over time, I built capability and interest in seeing the business succeed. The step-change really came when I was elevated to a management role and invited to join the leadership team. Since then, I've become a board member, general manager and company director of both the Australian and New Zealand businesses."

Kacy's path was more deliberate, if less direct. She always had her father in the back of her mind, and studied Commerce, majoring in Accounting - despite, by her own admission, not actually liking numbers.

"While studying at university, I worked at Plasdene in a variety of roles, including reception, accounts receivable, and even packing bottles in the warehouse. Those early experiences gave me a great appreciation for the business and the people who made it successful."

After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant and spending several years in public practice, she was ready to bring that experience home - but the timing wasn't hers to control.

"Unlike my sister Jayne, who was offered a role when she wasn't actively seeking one, all I wanted to do was join the business. Unfortunately, I had to be patient and wait for the right opportunity. Eventually, a position became available, Dad offered me a role, and the rest is history. Nearly 20 years later, I'm still here."

Her foundation was in Customer Service, where she found the motivation that still drives her today.

"I love identifying opportunities for change, whether it's a major transformation project or a small tweak to a process. Seeing the positive impact that continuous improvement can have on our people, our customers, and the business is what motivates me every day."

It's a responsibility neither takes lightly - knowing the business is directly and indirectly responsible for the livelihoods of its people and the thousands of businesses it supplies.

Joining a business their parents founded wasn't without its own challenges though, keeping family and business separate has been important.

"There aren't any 'nepo babies' here; you do the work, and the recognition will come - although sometimes you'll still need to prove yourself twice over."

Learning From the First Generation

When asked what Ken and Margaret have taught them about running a business, the list is short and sharp:

"Mitigate risk. Operate responsibly and with integrity. Put in the effort. Be authentic. Have a crack!"

What they admire most is how their parents blended two things that don't always sit together - entrepreneurial agility and disciplined governance.

"The foundations of the company were built through the hard work, commitment and customer focus of our parents, who approached every customer relationship and business decision with care and determination. Their willingness to make personal sacrifices and continuously reinvest in the business has enabled Plasdene to grow, strengthen its capabilities and pursue opportunities with a long-term view."

Leading Today

Jayne and Kacy are matter-of-fact about being women leading a family business - it's simply not something they spend much time thinking about.

"Career opportunities are available for all; it's not about quotas or glass ceilings, because since we've been in the business, they don't exist. We're proud of the diversity-rich, equal opportunity, collaborative culture we've forged at Plasdene. Gender just doesn't come into the equation - it's the best person for the job."

As the business has grown, the focus has been on evolving without losing what makes it a family business in the first place.

"We place significant importance on open communication and maintaining a hands-on, accessible leadership approach that fosters accountability, engagement and trust. It's fair to say that as the business has grown, we've continued to professionalise, without losing that 'care factor' family business culture"

Family & Leadership

Jayne and Kacy run the business as Co-General Managers - and by their own account, as a genuine double act.

"We will generally start the day with a phone catch up on the drive to work, to check in on everything from mood temperature, what's happening in the family, business updates, and what support is needed for the day ahead. You could call it sibling intuition - if one of us is down, the other will lean in, and vice versa."

Their complementary skill sets, built from having learned the business from the ground up, give them a shared understanding of how it all works.

On the advantages of a multi-generational business, Jayne points to the balance of experience and fresh ambition - and doesn't shy away from the fact that not every big decision happens in a boardroom.

"Through disciplined financial management, strategic investment and a willingness to embrace change, the business has overcome four decades of challenges to become a respected global packaging provider.

Throughout that journey, our family has remained united by shared values, a strong sense of responsibility, and a commitment to the success of our people, customers and suppliers. Some of our best business decisions have been made together as a family, over a long lunch with wine."

Underpinning it all is a set of values the Pearson family built the business on - integrity, partnership, hard work, customer focus and long-term stewardship - reflected in Plasdene's own purpose statement, "Partner With Us and Grow."

"The family values are complemented by the established business values: Honesty, Accountability, Passion, Entrepreneurship and Loyalty, and represent the spirit of our Company culture, used as the behavioural standard to guide decisions and actions, aligned to a “Make it Happen” attitude, for mutual profit, growth and security."

What The Day Means, And What's Next

For Jayne and Kacy, National Family Business Day isn't just a moment for a social post, it's a genuine pause to look back at what four decades and two generations have built together.

"A moment to reflect on why we do what we do, and what we've achieved together thus far."

But they're just as focused on what's ahead.

"The opportunities are endless. We're just getting started!"

The legacy they hope to continue is simple: decades-long relationships with customers, suppliers and employees, built on trust.

"The strong market reputation as Australasia's most trusted and reliable packaging provider is the legacy I hope to continue."

And to the customers, suppliers and employees who've been part of that journey so far, their message is a simple one.

"Deep gratitude for choosing our family business."

Partner With Us and Grow

If you're a family business looking for a packaging partner who understands what that actually means, we'd love to hear from you. Contact our team today.