Awal Press, one of the oldest print service providers in Bahrain, is the first customer in the country to install the KODAK NEXPRESS SX3300 Digital Production Color Press. The new press is expected to improve the company’s productivity and efficiency, driving profitability and growth, while directly meeting customer needs.
As the first digital press operation in the country, Awal Press has been in the Bahraini printing industry for 50 years, specialising in marketing collateral for government, telecoms and several industry magazines. Featuring a state-of-the-art 75,000 sq ft plant at Tubli,
“We decided to go for the KODAK NEXPRESS SX3300 Digital Production Color Press due to its impressive colour quality”, said Khalid Juman, Managing Director at Awal Press. “After testing, we decided on this press because we noticed that the colour and imaging quality that it produced far outweighed that of the others we tried. Since installing the new system we haven’t been disappointed – our turn-around times have decreased, and the NEXPRESS SX3300 has helped us develop our product footprint, giving us the confidence and differentiation needed to approach new customers in the country.”
The Bahraini print market is continually evolving, with digital printing gaining traction in the country. As a result, distributors are actively adopting new technologies, such as the KODAK NEXPRESS SX Platform to drive growth. “Digital is definitely the way forward because it allows printers to enter an entirely new league with their printing. We firmly believe that digital solutions can complement all traditional printing operations, and our new digital press has exceeded our expectations. More importantly however, it has surpassed the expectation of our clients,” continued Juman.
Sadasivam Swaminathan, Business Manager for Kodak solutions at Qatar Computer Services, said “We strongly believe that Kodak will propel the region’s printing industry – an industry already experiencing rapid growth in the digital printing sector. The KODAK NEXPRESS SX Platform is the perfect fit for mid-size quick printers, in-plant operations, digital service bureaus and small commercial printers who want to increase share in the digital colour print market – and do it affordably. Awal Press realised that with this platform they can achieve lasting visual impressions with direct mail, brochures, photo books and other communications. It perfectly satisfies their need to produce outstanding luxury glossy magazines with bold colors that jump off the page.”
With close to 40 printers in Bahrain moving towards digital solutions and short-run printing, Kodak is breaking new ground as customers seek the latest printing technologies available in the region. “Our KODAK NEXPRESS SX Platform represents the latest in Kodak innovation for commercial, photo and in-plant printers, and will no doubt drive higher margins for our customers,” said Komal Sharma, Kodak’s Managing Director for Emerging Geographies for the Europe, Africa and Middle East Region.
