Conversation with Afsal Kottal; An Industry Veteran at The Helm of Phoenix Technologies

Phoenix Technologies is a highly specialized company supplying print businesses with technologies for streamlining operations, such as MIS, color management tools, as well as productivity monitoring and enhancement tools. The company recently signed a distribution agreement with Miraclon to sell and service its products in the region.

Last year Montagu Private Equity purchased Kodak Flexo Division in a deal ultimately valued at $340m (£260m) and rebranded as Miraclon. The company also has opened its second flexo plate manufacturing line, in the US in 2019.

The partnership between Miraclon and Phoenix technologies does seem to be an organic one. In order to find out more about Phoenix technologies and the nature of its agreement with Miraclon we talked with Afsal Kottal, the man at the helm of the company.

Could you tell us about your background in the industry? 

We have been in the printing and packaging industry for more than the past two decades. Have experienced the entire spectrum of the industry from the grassroots to the latest levels of enhancement in process and technology. To be more specific, I am working in the packaging industry for almost 10 years before starting a knowledge based solutions business in 2007. Our company is called Phoenix Colour Technologies. This knowledge and experience acquired over the years has been achieved in the most ” hands on manner” possible. Our team have been trained directly by experts from Europe and the US. It is a powerful tool that has helped us in support and guide our clients to achieve the fine edge in their operations and processes. I had graduated from one of the world’s premier technology institutes for printing and packaging, Manipal Institute of technology.  Am also a certified Idealliance G7 and Pantone certified Expert.

Our vision is to provide solutions successfully to the Printing and Packaging converters in Offset, Flexo, Gravure and Digital verticals using cutting edge Printing Technologies. We have the world’s best as partners, GMG Color, Xrite, Pantone, Kodak, Miraclon, ArdenImpact, Hybrid, IGT, Inkmaker, Troika, Harper etc. to mention a few. Applying and implementing these exquisite print and technology tools can help them improve quality and productivity to no mean extent. Also not to mention that it can bring down their cost per piece of production and a smooth production workflow.

Phoenix works with over 600+ prestigious companies across the Middle east, Africa and The Asian Subcontinent. We have been pioneers in bringing in Color Management, Print MIS etc. to the gulf region.  We had helped set up key processes for Reputed converters across the gulf region. We have visited virtually every key Print and Packaging expo across the world and especially in the Gulf region and also participated and exhibited.

We have conducted regular Knowledge and Technology transfer seminars and brought on board the best minds in the industry from across the globe. We also operate a company in India as well doing similar business under the name Farb Technologies.

Being Pantone Certified Auditors and G7 Certified Auditors, we take immense consideration to listen to our customer’s pain points. We conduct site audits across Prepress, Proofing, Ink and Press Rooms. We recommend value add solutions that can benefit our customers tremendously, backed up by true shop floor data collection, analysis, corrective actions and knowledge transfer.

We believe keeping ourselves updated and relevant with the latest and what’s best that the market has to offer, gives us the edge to gain a distinct advantage for our clients whose interests we deem as paramount in putting out their best.

Does your distribution deal with Miraclon include hardware, software and plates?

It definitely does. It includes Hardware, Software & Plates. It’s an integral part of being comprehensive in our supply and services for the print and packaging industry.

When did you sign the deal with Miraclon?

In the month of May 2020.

Is this your first Foray into flexo printing industry?

We have been providing solutions for the past decade and more to prominent flexo printers in the region to set up color management systems, ink kitchens, press room automation etc. from GMG Color and Xrite. Also we were conducting seminars for flexo printers which usually have most of the printers participating in same.

Are you selling consumables as well?

Yes we are partners for Kodak, Siegwerk Inks, Harper Aniloxes, Troika and Ipagsa Plates as well.

Do you think flexo is gaining momentum in the region? Is it because of increasing quality or there are other reasons as well?

Yes, flexo is gaining momentum due to short run and faster turnaround requirements in the market. Latest Flexo technologies also supports innovative and personalized packaging with hybrid machines. They come with a combination of both analogue and digital printing capabilities. Common complaints which are heard in flexo are as below:

• Unacceptable color matching to proof and other print processes
• Inconsistency in the process
• Unpredictability of results job-to-job, and run-to-run
• Conversion of Gravure designs to Flexography has become a practical reality

Flexo will have to move forward to meet the demands of customers and brand owners. We along with our partners would like to support flexo printers and their solution providers to resolve these areas of concern and help them achieve highest levels of quality with minimum wastage.

We will provide an end to end solution to flexo market by combining Hybrid Packaging Workflow, GMG Open Color Spectral Color Management/OGV separation & Proofing Technology, Kodak Flexcel NX combines with Advanced KODAK DIGICAP NX Patterning, Xrite Ink Room & Press Room Tools, Harper Aniloxes, Troika etc. to optimize ink transfer for the widest range of print conditions.

There will be series of seminars & open houses organized by phoenix and its partners in coming days to explain how we can add value to their process.

How did Covid impact your activities and do you feel the worst is over and now we are going through recovery?
Well as always ,Hope springs eternal. That’s what we all live by. Like for almost everyone it has affected us too. But we took precautions as an organization in the early days of lockdown and thoroughly followed the guidelines set by The UAE government in the best of our interests and our partners. We are back to work now and are fully operational conforming to the guidelines. We are really happy to be living and working in UAE as I feel the government has primed the situation with extreme care and professionalism as always to bring us all back eventually towards normalcy.

We believe strongly that the UAE will come back stronger n fighting fit. We can all rest assured that the UAE will set the benchmark for the world to follow as how to handle and get past such trying and testing times. We need as responsible inhabitants to follow all guidelines as due and advised.