Gulf Print and Pack 2015 is just around the corner and the regional printing and packaging industry are gearing up to participate at the event with the full force. The show is almost full and most of the top players including Heidelberg, Kodak, Xerox, ETG, Giffin Graphics, AFRA, Bobst, Green Graphics Trading GMCC, Nilpeter, Prestige Graphics Trading and other big names through their representatives will be participating at the show. In this day and age when exhibitions are struggling to keep afloat Gulf Print has been able to maintain its position within regional graphic arts industry and thrive as well. The organizer of the F&E (Part of the Tarsus Group) anticipates that more than 10,000 printing industry professionals are to descend on Dubai in April when Gulf Print & Pack 2015 opens for business at the World Trade Centre (DWTC).
Middle East boasts world’s fourth fastest growing printing market. Gulf Print will offers visitors a glimpse of this dynamic market. However there are some noticeably high profile absences including HP and Canon. At the time of writing this report they have not yet confirmed their participation and it is highly unlikely that they participate but they will be following the event and will be present one way or another.
2015’s edition has also reported a large increase in first time exhibitor numbers with 45 new companies such as Holostik India and Primera Europe signing up to showcase their products and services. The show will also feature dedicated pavilions for Chinese and Iranian suppliers. This influx of new exhibitors and other statistics such as a rise in digital solution providers and label businesses attending support PIRA international’s ‘Global Print Markets to 2016’ forecast that the Middle East’s market share is expected to grow to $20bn by next year.
Mike Simmonds, event manager at Gulf Print & Pack commented: “Growth in the Middle Eastern printing industry has been following the same pattern being seen in Asia and Latin America with demand overtaking more mature markets such as Western Europe and North America. Technologies and their capabilities are always advancing and that is directly influencing brand owners in their product development choices and in turn consumer behavior and habits. Print processes are experiencing marked trends worldwide in how they are used with an increasing appetite for digital, flexo and inkjet technologies emerging. Increased personalization and shorter print runs are growing the production of labels, flexible packaging, active and intelligent packaging formats and photobooks. The market is moving fast, so this year’s show will be even more invaluable to visitors looking to capitalize on these profitable growth areas.”
Exhibitors’ line up for GPP
Over 300 exhibitors are participating at the event and it seems the focus this year is digital printing as well as packaging.
Printech to showcase printing and packaging solutions from Top manufacturers
Printech is showing a number of equipment and solutions from a variety of manufacturers including Prati, Omet, Cosmo Film, CSi, Eltex and others. Cosmo Films will exhibit its laminating film portfolio. COSMO FILMS is one of the largest manufacturer of Wet & Thermal Lamination films has been present in Middle East market for past 15 years. The print industry in Middle East is utilising high speed machines and is handling critical end users jobs.
One of the unmet need of customers in the Middle East region has been the availability of high quality Thermal laminating films as well as Specialty Laminating films. COSMO FILMS in its portfolio has all kinds of films to cater to the requirements of the market in Middle East. The portfolio consist of Wet Lamination, Thin/Thick Gloss and Matte Thermal Lamination films, Anti Scuff and Velvet Touch films. The films are available with base as BOPP/PET/NYLON. CSi packaging industry is a major supplier of stacking (Multi-webline speeds up to 450 meters per minute), Automatic Stack Handling for Cigarette packs, Liquid Cartons and General Cartons, Case packing (Speed up to 180,000 cartons/hour), Palletizing and Reel Handling equipment. The company will showcase its technology during the show.
OMET which one of the biggest manufacturers of narrow web presses for label printing equipment is launching in 2015 its “Wide web offset” project. Right after the show, during the month of May, OMET will launch the latest born iFlex. Both Varyflex V2 Offset and iFlex will be displayed during the spring Open House at OMET contemporarily to the presence at Converlfex Show in Milan from 19 to 23, May 2015.
Since the cooperation with Printech Middle East LLC started back in 2013, OMET has secured a few major orders in the Gulf area. Two installation have been completed and 2 more will come shortly. Another Printech partner is Eltex. The company will showcase Eltex Smart Discharging System SDS. Components such as power supply units, output stages and module technology are integrated in the electrode profile of the new Smart Discharging System SDS. This system’s communication with machines or operation via mobile end devices is particularly smart. The Smart Discharging System SDS is used for discharging in the middle distance and speed range for applications in automation technology and in the plastics and packaging.
Total solutions from ETG
Having one of the biggest stands in Gulf Print Emirates Trans Graphics along with Ali Alhashimi Trading will be showcasing a slew of equipment and solutions during the event. At Gulf Print and Pack 2015, they will unveil some of their latest technological machines that continue to propel the industry forward.
The technology that will be displayed include MGI Jet Varnish 3D and iFoil, MGI Meteor DP 8700XL+ Multi-Substrate Digital Press, Duplo Booklet Maker System 5000 and System 150C, Duplo Perfect Binders KB – 4000 PUR, DPB – 500 DuBinder, DB – 280, DC – 645i Slitter/Cutter / Creaser, Ultra Cut 240 Business Card Cutter, DF – 1200 Automatic suction Folder, Xante Impressia, Xante Illumina HWC, Narrow Flexo Nuova Gidue, Dainippon Screen Ltd, C.P Bourg, Wohlenberg, Xeikon, Challenge, Ovit, Foil tone, Zechini, ThemoflexX, Basysprint, Glunz & Jensen A/S and a range of machineries and materials. ETG experts will be present at Emirates Trans Graphics stand to provide the insights about the machines and its functions.
G. Jayaprakash the General Manager – Sales & Marketing of Emirates Trans Graphics and Ali Alhashemi Trading Company said: “We are very excited about our presence in MENA’s biggest Printing Exhibition and believe that we will put in our 100% to bring “Printing Back to Life”!
PPG Chairman and Ali Alhashemi Group Managing Director and CEO Mohammad Alhashimi will be present at the show to welcome visitors and interact with customers. ETG has been very active participating and visiting a number of regional trade events including Arab Plast during which Mohammad Alhashimi met with Erhard Wienkamp, division director of Messe Dusseldorf. During the meeting the two industry professionals exchanged views and talked about different aspect of printing and packaging market in the region.
New finishing solutions from Prestige
Prestige Trading Group is another top local supplier that will take part in Gulf Print. “We will be showing quite a lot of machines including two different saddle stitching solutions, 2 different kinds of folding machines, perfect binding, and guillotine and creasing. Our focus again this year has been to give our customers ideas on how they can improve their efficiencies on the print floor. I think everyone is looking for ways to make their printing presses produce more with less and we have a few answers to these requirements. We’re expecting quite a good turnout for the show and we’re looking forward to it.” comments Jabeer Jabbar, director of the company that represents top brands including Komori and Horizon.
Xerox offers a glimpse to the future
The US giant document and digital printing company will also be present in the Gulf Print and Pack exhibition.
According to Xerox Gulf Print and Pack 2015 falls during a very dynamic and transitory period in the print industry as technological convergence continues to reshape market dynamics, forcing print service providers to rethink their ongoing roles in the communications value chain.
Xerox has always viewed innovation as a catalyst to progress. At Gulf Print and Pack 2015, Xerox will unveil some of its latest technological advances in hardware, software and business consultancy services that continue to propel the industry forward. Additionally, Xerox will give attendees a glimpse into its vision for the future of print industry. This will take the form of compelling technology demonstrations that highlight the potential evolution of this industry and how market participants can position themselves to profit from them.
The General Manager for Xerox in the Middle East, Chris Govier commented: “We are very excited to be back at Gulf Print and Pack and believe that the timing of the show could not be better. At Xerox, innovation underpins everything that we do and our long history of developing industry creating and defining technology attests to this fact. After over 75 years of changing the world with our technology, our focus remains helping people find ways of applying technology to be more productive, efficient and prosperous.
“At Gulf Print and Pack 2015, Xerox will make a very clear statement to the market about where we think this industry is headed and why partnering with Xerox is the best way to capitalize on this changing competitive dynamic.”
Kodak highlights a new generation of Nexpress Digital Press
Kodak, another digital printing giant will be highlighting NEXPRESS DIGITAL PRESS ENHANCEMENTS during Gulf Print. It will be showcasing a NEXPRESS digital press with one meter long sheet printing capability live for first time in Middle East and Africa region.
These configuration changes are now standard on newly built presses and will be available as optional or standard upgrades on the majority of installed KODAK NEXPRESS Presses. The new configurations of the KODAK NEXPRESS Presses will include the expansion of long sheet capability, the addition of Dura Coat Mode and the inclusion of KODAK NEXPRESS Light Black HD Dry Ink in the Fifth Imaging Unit. An automated imaging cylinder cleaning system will also be added.
OKI to premier new printers for the first time in the Middle East
OKI Europe Ltd will showcase the industry’s first 5 colour, A3 digital LED printer, the ES9541. This printer offers e spot colour in white or clear gloss UV, at a highly competitive price point, for short-run, digital, print-on-demand performance. OKI will also be exhibiting, for the first time in the Middle East, the ES9431. According to OKI this is a colour printer that offers quality, high print speeds, low total cost of ownership and media flexibility. The ES9431 is targeted at creative agencies and design teams where producing concepts that are as close to the proposed final design is essential for client approval. The ES9431 can also be used as an office printer for day to day office printing. John Ross, OKI Europe Dubai Branch GM said, “We are extremely excited about this pioneering digital LED print technology used in these machines which just reinforces OKI’s focus on developing innovative technology to benefit businesses. Gulf Print & Pack gives us a tremendous platform from which to educate the market that the print solution for increased productivity, cost efficiency and production proof artwork lies with OKI.”
The ES9431 can also be used as an office printer for day to day office printing. John Ross, OKI Europe Dubai Branch GM said, “We are extremely excited about this pioneering digital LED print technology used in these machines which just reinforces OKI’s focus on developing innovative technology to benefit businesses. Gulf Print & Pack gives us a tremendous platform from which to educate the market that the print solution for increased productivity, cost efficiency and production proof artwork lies with OKI.”
The ES9431 is targeted at creative agencies and design teams where producing concepts that are as close to the proposed final design is essential for client approval. The ES9431 can also be used as an office printer for day to day office printing. John Ross, OKI Europe Dubai Branch GM said, “We are extremely excited about this pioneering digital LED print technology used in these machines which just reinforces OKI’s focus on developing innovative technology to benefit businesses. Gulf Print & Pack gives us a tremendous platform from which to educate the market that the print solution for increased productivity, cost efficiency and production proof artwork lies with OKI.”
Cool solutions by technotrans
technotrans will be showing off latest technology for all printing industries at this year’s Gulf Print and Pack. technotrans has been known as a system supplier for the liquid technology in the printing industry for several decades. What most printers do not know, technotrans is supplying a wide range of other products that are related to liquid technology and cooling. These are not only used in the offset industry but also in the digital, flexo, corrugated and gravure printing.
The main focus are as usual solutions that improve the productivity as well as the quality. “We need to provide printing companies products that boost their competitiveness.” says Niels Siegel, head of technotrans Middle East.
In the digital printing sector the highly energy-efficient omega.line cooling equipment is available for small – to large-format printing presses. “Todays digital industry has developed fast. To be able to supply a high quality the presses became more and more powerful. Stable conditions during the printing is what technotrans stands for. “ explains Niels Siegel.
The co-operation partners MERLIN and Valetech which are leading suppliers of air humidifying and ink dispensing systems worldwide complete technotrans’ liquid technology range. The humidifying concepts prevent electrostatic charging, particulates, dimensional fluctuations of paper, and the undesired deviations of shape and fit, thereby ensuring trouble-free printing processes.
With the ink dispensing solutions costs in the mixing of special colours for flexo, coatings, gravure, screen or offset inks can be reduced. The inks are 100% reproducible at any time the customer requires it and ensure stable quality and efficient printing.
Iranians embrace Gulf Print and Pack 2015
The Iranian print industry is looking to make a big push to grow its presence in the Middle East and beyond through its presence at the forthcoming Gulf Print & Pack 2015.
Gulf Print & Pack 2015 will once again see the print industry in Iran well represented with a pavilion showcasing producers and service providers from within the country’s borders to visitors to the show from across the Middle East and North Africa.
This year’s Iranian pavilion is set to include a number of companies offering different products and services, such as a security printer with the capability to produce 0-100 percent holographic labels, flexible packaging film producers, and hardware and material manufacturers.
For Bobak Abedini, who is central to organizing the pavilion, April’s Gulf Print & Pack 2015 represents another step in extending the presence of the Iranian print industry to a global audience.
“We are trying to introduce the print industry in Iran to an international audience, and Gulf Print & Pack provides us with such a platform.
“Iran has a huge print industry, with some 5,000 SMEs, but this is not well known. Iran is more widely thought of as a producer of oil industry products and dry foods, so it is refreshing to be able to show that we are a country with industrial capabilities, which is becoming more industrial and that has a big print industry.
“We want to grow Iran’s market share in the Middle East and beyond, and increase the availability of Iran’s print industry to a wider audience.”
Abedini holds a number of important job roles in relation to overseas growth of the Iranian print industry, including chairman of the Iran Print Industry Exporters Union (IPIEU) and member of the Iran Chamber of Commerce board of representatives.
As such, he is well-placed to comment on the country’s print industry and wider business environment, and notes that the country’s economic difficulties and international sanctions, amongst other factors have made it, “difficult for Iran’s private business sector.
“Once the economic situation has eased and problems with sanctions are resolved, we are hopeful that we can have normal banking relationships allowing a more stable trade environment between the Iranian print industry and the world.
“There have already been huge investments made in Iran’s print industry and in the manufacture of materials, some of the biggest in the region in fact, who all are interested in further mutual investment opportunities to increase production. We are very excited and hopeful that Gulf Print & Pack 2015 will open up such opportunities.”
Gulf Print & Pack 2015, taking place April 13-16 at Dubai World Trade Centre in the emirate, is described as the “leading event for commercial and package printers in the Middle East and North Africa”, and this is another factor central to the efforts of the Iranian print industry to raise its profile through the show.
“We have projected that visitors to the show will come from countries we want to establish business relationships with – the Middle East, North Africa and CIS countries.
“Dubai is also an international centre,” adds Abedini, “and many businesses have offices there. That means we can create a lot of business opportunities and make a lot of good contacts.”
The exhibitor profile for Gulf Print & Pack 2015 includes those offering digital and conventional press technology, package printing technology and web-to-print software. Exhibitors include the likes of Heidelberg, Kodak, Giffin Graphics, AFRA, Bobst, Green Graphics Trading GMCC, Nilpeter and Prestige Graphics Trading.
This make-up of exhibitors, coupled with feature and educational content across the four-day show including 3D print, will also benefit the Iranian print industry.
“We want to increase our knowledge and capabilities by meeting and networking with an international audience of printers and suppliers, making important contacts and so improving our printing and production. We will also take advantage of features and educational elements of the show. We have a lot of knowledge and knowhow to share ourselves too, so it is a two-way avenue of communication.”
“We have been present at the show for a number of editions now, and have seen both the quality and number of visitors and exhibitors increase over that time, so we want to be a part of it,” concludes Abedini. “Our intent is to grow interest in Iran’s producers and service providers, and we have already had success sparking interest at Gulf Print & Pack 2013.
“The Iranian pavilion considers itself a partner of Gulf Print & Pack and wants to share in its success.”
Something for everyone
GPP will have something for everyone. From offset, to digital, to packaging and even large format printing. ME Printer is the sole official media partner of Gulf Print and will keep readers up to date before, during and after the show. So stay tuned for more coverage about the biggest printing event in GCC.
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