Nilpeter opens Technology Center in Bangkok

The Technology Center houses a new Nilpeter FA-Line press as well as partner equipment from Trojan Label, Pamarco, Grafotronic, Alphasonics, BST eltromat, Biesse, Flexo Concepts, Vamatco, Enercon, Lundbergtech, Ultralight, Olinxo, Ad Doctor Blade and Trelleborg. ‘With its partners, Nilpeter can offer custom tailored advice to its customers,’ says Erik Blankenstein, sales director for Asia Pacific at Nilpeter.

‘In commercial strategy, the Technology Center will further boost Nilpeter’s presence in the Asia Pacific region as it will not only be an ideal location for Australasian customers to visit but also will focus on providing a full package to customers. Bangkok has been home to Nilpeter for more than 16 years and has developed itself as a main point for business in Southeast Asia,’ adds Blankenstein.

The company has a team of technical engineers, electricians and printers based in Thailand and locally in Indonesia, Vietnam, The Philippines, China and Australia for installation, training and after sales service of Nilpeter products as well as all strategic partner equipment and supplies.

Complex configurations
With an installation base of more than 200 presses in Asia Pacific, Nilpeter has a prominent presence in Thailand, Indonesia and Japan. ‘We are also growing in Australia, New Zealand and China. There is a plan for further expansion in 2018, possibly, with new strategic partnerships in Vietnam, Malaysia and South Korea as well,’ says Blankenstein.

Turning to popular press configurations in Southeast Asia, Blankenstein sees increasing interest in more complex configurations, including a variety of embellishments such as screen, hot and cold foil, and embossing, amongst others. ‘We see a lot of interest in our highly automated flexo presses such as the FA-4*and the new FA-line. Several new FA-lines have been sold in the region already and at the moment one of the latest installations of the new FA-line is taking place at Brady Corporation Asia in Singapore.

‘Break-even points with digital printing have come down significantly due to this new level of automation, which includes faster job changeovers, immediate registration and fully automated press operation controlled by iPad, all of which results in minimal amounts of waste. Converters who have not yet invested in a digital press, but have been considering it, think twice now,’ he says. ‘It is likely that it makes more sense for them to invest in a highly automated flexo press instead. It brings more advantages for medium and possible longer runs.’