Tanzania’s MFPL Raises Flexible Packaging Bar with BOBST
In September 2025, Tanzania’s Modern Flexible Packaging Limited (MFPL) acquired a 10-colour BOBST NOVA RS 5003 rotogravure printing press to expand its manufacturing capabilities. The investment marks MFPL’s first installation of a BOBST machine, representing a major milestone in the company’s growth strategy.
As one of the first installations of its kind in East and Southern Africa, the investment reinforces MFPL’s position as a technology leader in the regional flexible packaging industry. The machine provides the platform to enhance print quality, support innovation, and meet the evolving requirements of both local and international brand owners.
Founded in 2002 in Dar es Salaam, MFPL has transitioned over a twenty-year period from a converting business into a full-service flexible packaging manufacturer. The company currently provides packaging materials to several prominent brands, including Pepsi, Coca Cola, Tanzania Breweries, Azam, Bonite Bottlers, Tanzania Distilleries, Sika, TCC, Azania, Serengeti Breweries, and METL Group.
Processing 6,000 metric tonnes of material annually, the Tanzanian manufacturer supplies packaging solutions to multiple sectors, including F&B, agriculture, tobacco, personal care, and pharmaceuticals, serving both domestic and regional markets.
Shift in Customer Expectations
In recent years, MFPL CEO Farhaaz Haji has watched customer expectations shift considerably. “Customers increasingly request shorter print runs with more SKU variations, tighter delivery deadlines, and improved barrier properties for extended shelf life. Sustainability, too, has moved up the agenda, with clients asking about recyclable and reduced-material packaging solutions,” says Haji.
Simultaneously, the company faces the practical realities of operating in a high-growth emerging market. Key challenges include managing the cost and availability of imported raw materials, navigating currency exchange fluctuations, and continuously upgrading technology to stay competitive. To meet these challenges, a decisive investment in advanced technologies was required, rather than incremental improvements.
Choosing BOBST
The partnership with BOBST in 2025 and the subsequent investment in the NOVA RS 5003 press—engineered specifically for flexible packaging applications—enabled MFPL to make a strategic move into paper-based packaging.
The NOVA RS 5003 was chosen for its superior print quality, high production speed, advanced automation, and BOBST’s robust regional technical support network. Beyond its technical specifications, the machine delivers a strong value proposition by reducing waste, stabilising production scheduling, and offering an optimised total cost of ownership for growing commercial operations.
The press is engineered to handle a wide range of substrates, including films, laminates, and paper-based materials, supporting MFPL’s expansion into sustainable packaging and premium market segments.
“BOBST machines offer superior build quality, advanced automation, and consistently high print registration accuracy. The global support network and BOBST’s deep expertise in flexible packaging technology give us confidence in our investment. For a growing operation like MFPL, it is the clear choice,” says Haji.
Since installation, MFPL has recorded an estimated 25–35% increase in production capacity. Setup and changeover waste has been reduced by around 15–20%, and downtime has fallen by nearly 10–15%. Improved print consistency and quality control have translated into fewer customer complaints and less rework.
“The machines have largely lived up to, and in several areas exceeded our expectations. The automation features and user-friendly controls have helped operators work more efficiently and with greater confidence,” adds Haji.
Focus on Regional Expansion
Currently, the company is focused on expanding its regional presence across East and Southern Africa and growing its customer base in premium food, personal care, and pharmaceutical packaging.
