Conventional printing

Wan Long Printing buys first Nilpeter FA-17 in Taiwan

Akanksha Meena — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 08:19:20 +0000

Wan Long Printing, one of Taiwan’s most respected label and packaging printers, has purchased a Nilpeter FA-17, 10-color press, marking Nilpeter’s first press sales in Taiwan.

Founded in October 1991 in Nantou, Central Taiwan, Wan Long Printing began with just a single printer and has grown into a powerhouse of production with flexo, digital and full/SR letterpress machines. The family-owned company, now managed by three members of the second generation, continues to build on its founding values of ‘variety, diversity, rapidity and vividity’.

Equipped with the latest digital, flexographic, screen and rotary letterpress technologies, Wan Long offers an extensive range of printing and finishing capabilities, including cold and hot-stamping, embossing, die-cutting, and a wide array of post-printing processes. The company is both ISO 9001 and G7 certified, ensuring high standards in quality management and production consistency.

Driven by a passion for continuous improvement, Wan Long is investing heavily in research and development to stay ahead of a rapidly evolving industry. Its focus on innovation, adaptability, and customer satisfaction underscores every decision – from machinery investment to the launch of a new factory currently under construction.

The partnership between Wan Long and Nilpeter highlights a mutual commitment to quality and innovation. By choosing the Nilpeter FA-17, a high-performance flexo press, Wan Long demonstrates both confidence in the collaboration and a clear focus on long-term, high-quality production.

For Nilpeter, this partnership marks a milestone: the first press sale in Taiwan and a key strategic step in expanding its presence across the region. Through a new local partnership with Chimeng, led by Kimer Lee, Nilpeter is set to strengthen its local support and expand its presence in the Taiwanese market.

‘The collaboration with Wan Long Printing represents the perfect synergy between craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology,’ said Erik Blankenstein, sales director of Nilpeter Asia Pacific. ‘We are proud to celebrate this milestone together and look forward to shaping the future of premium label printing in Taiwan.’

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Wan Long buys first Nilpeter FA-17 in Taiwan

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Through a new local partnership with Chimeng, Nilpeter is set to strengthen its local support and expand its presence in the Taiwanese market.

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Through a new local partnership with Chimeng, Nilpeter is set to strengthen its local support and expand its presence in the Taiwanese market.

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Shrinkflex embraces flexo to capture SME growth

Piotr Wnuk — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 23:21:14 +0000

Conventional printing 18 November 2025

Shrinkflex embraces flexo to capture SME growth

Thai label giant adds Nilpeter FA-22 press as it targets small and medium enterprises with a cost-effective printing approach.

Shrinkflex is betting big on flexo printing as the publicly listed label manufacturer seeks to capture a lucrative, but underserved market segment in Southeast Asia. The company’s installation of a Nilpeter FA-22 flexo press marks a strategic pivot toward serving small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with more cost-effective printing options.

Founded in 2007, Shrinkflex (Thailand) Public Company Limited has built its reputation primarily on gravure printing, which accounts for nearly 90 percent of its business. The company started with shrink sleeve labels for the beverage market before expanding into cosmetics, household products, personal care and pharmaceutical segments. However, the company’s leadership sees flexo as the key to unlocking new growth opportunities in a region where SMEs represent the vast majority of businesses.

The journey to flexo began with a simple observation about market gaps.

‘In Southeast Asia, more than 85 percent are small and medium enterprises,’ explains Michael Tsoi, CEO of Shrinkflex. ‘This is the biggest market. Everybody has already forgotten this market, and everybody’s using stickers or pressure-sensitive labels for the medium market.’

Strategic market positioning

The mathematics of this market opportunity are compelling. While multinational companies dominated the high-volume gravure segment and digital printing served short-run needs, a substantial middle market remained underserved. This segment requires medium-volume runs with cost-effective pricing; precisely the opportunity that drew Shrinkflex into flexible packaging three years ago.

“Flexo printing technology focuses on delivering cost-effective approaches to SME clients as well as building customer confidence toward environmental consciousness”

The challenge for SMEs has been economic rather than technical. Gravure printing requires expensive cylinder setup costs that only make sense for large-volume runs, while digital printing becomes expensive for medium-volume orders. Flexo printing bridges this gap with faster setup times than gravure and better economics than digital for medium runs.

‘Flexo printing technology focuses on delivering cost-effective approaches to SME clients as well as building customer confidence toward environmental consciousness,’ notes Tsoi.

Over the past three years, the company has invested 188.6 million Baht (5.8 million USD) in machinery

The Nilpeter FA-22 installation comes as part of Shrinkflex’s investment strategy, which totaled 83.8m Thai Baht (2.58m USD) in 2024. The flexo press joins other new equipment, including plate-making machinery and pouch bag-making machines, all designed to enhance the company’s production capabilities and serve diverse customer needs.

This investment represents the latest phase in Shrinkflex’s aggressive expansion program. Over the past three years, the company has invested 188.6m Baht (5.8m USD) in machinery alone, building production capacity that now includes 175.5m meters per year of gravure printing capability and 4.5m meters of digital printing. The flexo addition creates synergies across all three technologies while opening new market opportunities.

Danish partnership deepens

The relationship between Shrinkflex and Nilpeter extends well beyond a simple vendor-customer arrangement. The Thai company has designated its facility as an ‘open house’ location, welcoming both national and international visitors to witness its operational excellence of one of Southeast Asia’s most successful packaging companies.

‘This relationship is not just enduring; it’s evolving and strengthening,’ says Erik Blankenstein, sales director of Nilpeter Asia Pacific. ‘The collaboration extends beyond business transactions, involving strategic cooperation concerning technological developments.’

Shrinkflex’s decision to partner with the Danish press manufacturer stems from Nilpeter’s century-long heritage in the printing industry.

‘We chose Nilpeter because they have 100 years of reputation and history in Denmark,’ Tsoi explains. ‘We are happy with the Danish sincerity of the people. We trust we can make a partnership with Nilpeter.’

Comprehensive technology strategy

For Shrinkflex, the addition of flexo printing completes a comprehensive technology portfolio addressing different market segments: gravure for high-volume mass production, digital for short runs and personalization and flexo for the crucial middle ground serving SMEs. This three-pronged approach creates synergies across technologies while also opening up new market opportunities.

‘Our collaboration with Nilpeter is not just about adding a press to our floor,’ Tsoi emphasizes. ‘It’s a strategic alliance that brings technological innovation to the forefront. The Nilpeter FA-22 flexo press stands as a symbol of our commitment toward increased automation and digitalization, driving us forward in the competitive packaging industry.’

The flexo addition supports multiple strategic objectives simultaneously. Beyond addressing the SME market gap, the technology offers environmental advantages through reduced carbon emissions compared to traditional gravure printing. The company has focused on UV LED technology, which reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions compared to traditional UV systems.

Shrinkflex’s broader commitment to sustainability includes joining SEDEX in 2024, a global platform for sharing ethical supply chain data, and obtaining SMETA 4 Pillars certification covering labor standards, health and safety, environment, and business ethics. The company also participates in environmental initiatives, such as the Care the Bear and Care the Whale projects, while disclosing its annual carbon footprint information. These initiatives demonstrate how the flexo investment aligns with comprehensive ESG objectives rather than representing an isolated equipment decision.

Market expansion strategy

The timing of Shrinkflex’s flexo investment aligns with broader industry trends favoring sustainable packaging approaches and the continued growth of e-commerce, which has increased demand for smaller, customized packaging runs. The company sees significant opportunities in helping local businesses expand into export markets, where smaller initial orders are often required to test international waters. Export market development represents a particular strength for Shrinkflex. The company’s digital capabilities have proven successful in this area, creating a pathway where customers use short runs to establish market presence before scaling up.

L-R: Erik Blankenstein, sales director of Nilpeter Asia Pacific; Michael Tsoi, CEO of Shrinkflex; and Peter Eriksen, COO of Nilpeter

‘We use digital to help our customers explore the market, and then they come back with big volumes to gravure,’ explains Tsoi. ‘So, we are very successful with digital. Every month, we have many new projects, therefore, digital and gravure continue to increase.’

The flexo press strategically fills the gap between these technologies, offering better profit margins than digital while requiring lower setup costs than gravure. This positioning attracts medium-run jobs that were previously either too expensive for digital or too small for gravure while enabling faster turnaround times that brands increasingly demand from packaging providers.

Regional leadership ambitions

Shrinkflex’s flexo investment supports its vision of leading Southeast Asia’s packaging industry with smart and sustainable approaches. The company achieved revenue of 978.8 m Thai Baht (30.14 m USD) in 2024, representing 6.4 percent year-over-year growth, with an ambitious target of exceeding one billion Baht in revenue for 2025.

This growth reflects the successful diversification strategy execution. While gravure shrink labels dominate at 89.8 percent of revenue, flexible packaging has grown to 3.3 percent, digital shrink labels account for 4.3 percent, and gravure cylinders contribute 2.3 percent. The flexo addition creates new revenue streams while strengthening existing business lines across beverages, cosmetics, household products, personal care, pharmaceuticals and food products.

‘Our vision is to lead Southeast Asia’s packaging industry with smart and sustainable approaches,’ states the company’s mission. The flexo installation directly supports this goal by providing technology that balances cost-effectiveness with environmental responsibility.

Open house concept

Perhaps most significantly, Shrinkflex’s role as a Nilpeter open house facility positions the company as a knowledge hub for the regional printing industry. This arrangement benefits both partners: Nilpeter gains a high-profile showcase for its technology in a key Asian market, while Shrinkflex enhances its reputation as an industry leader and innovation center.

“Our collaboration with Nilpeter is not just about adding a press to our floor. It’s a strategic alliance that brings technological innovation to the forefront”

The open house concept allows other printing companies to observe real-world applications of flexo technology, potentially accelerating adoption throughout the region. For Shrinkflex, hosting these visits reinforces its position as a thought leader and can lead to valuable industry connections and partnerships.

This educational role aligns with Shrinkflex’s industry leadership aspirations. As one of Southeast Asia’s most successful packaging companies in terms of revenue and growth, the company has a significant influence on regional industry development. The open house facility demonstrates practical applications of multi-technology printing strategies adaptable to various market conditions, while creating opportunities for collaborative technology development where Shrinkflex participates in strategic cooperation concerning technological developments, potentially influencing future Nilpeter innovations for Asian market requirements.

Future outlook

The Nilpeter FA-22 flexo press represents a strategic tool for capturing market share in an underserved but substantial customer segment. Shrinkflex’s comprehensive three-technology approach positions it to serve virtually any customer requirement while maintaining operational efficiency.

The company’s 2025 strategy encompasses four key areas: enhancing efficiency through growing orders, staying ahead through premium products, optimizing production and managing costs efficiently to drive profitability. The flexo press contributes to all strategic pillars by enabling new customer acquisition, offering premium flexible packaging options, optimizing production through technology diversification and improving cost management through better capacity utilization.

This flexo initiative could influence broader regional industry trends, where many printing companies have traditionally focused on either high-volume gravure work or small-run digital jobs. Shrinkflex’s demonstration that flexo can profitably serve the middle market may encourage other regional printers to adopt similar strategies, potentially transforming SME access to professional packaging printing that was previously out of reach.

Looking ahead, Shrinkflex’s public company status provides additional advantages in executing growth strategy through transparent financial reporting and governance structures that build customer confidence while providing capital market access for future expansion. The successful flexo integration could support additional investments in capacity and capability expansion throughout Southeast Asia.

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Koenig & Bauer showcases Rapida 76

Piotr Wnuk — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 21:50:22 +0000

Koenig & Bauer has demonstrated the Rapida 76's flexibility for commercial, label and packaging printing at an open house in Radebeul, Germany, where the B2 press showed live job changes between complex commercial, label and folding carton jobs while processing board up to 1.0 mm thick at 18,000 sheets per hour.

The press utilizes automation components from the Rapida 106 'Royal Class', including simultaneous makeready processes and the sidelay-free infeed system DriveTronic SIS, which reduce job changeover times by up to 30 percent and drastically reduce waste.

'This open house has made one thing absolutely clear to me: the time for compromises in the B2 format is over,' stated Markus Weiß, CEO of Koenig & Bauer Paper & Packaging Sheetfed Systems. 'We have consistently transferred the proven high-end technology of our Rapida 106 Royal Class to this format. The result is a machine that resolves the either-or in this segment.'

Nearly 100 printing professionals from across Europe attended the event, where users confirmed the press's performance in practice. Matthias Herrmann, managing director at Schmidt & Buchta, emphasized the machine's reliability in a high-performance environment with an average of 19 commercial job changes per day, while Oscar Pepermans, owner of Rutgers Printing & Packaging Solutions in the Netherlands, highlighted that the investment provides a significant competitive advantage.

The press features inline quality control systems including QualiTronic ColorControl and PDFCheck, which ensure color accuracy from the first sheet and reduce makeready time by up to 30 percent per job. High-end double coating units and cold foil packages enable premium finishing in a single pass.

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AP Label invests in Spande

Akanksha Meena — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 07:36:42 +0000

Conventional printing 14 November 2025

AP Label invests in Spande

This latest hybrid investment allows a leading Chinese label converter to off er fast response and innovation to its brand customers.

With 25 years of deep roots in the label printing industry, Suzhou AP Label has transformed from a traditional label converter to a modern high-tech company that has integrated high-powered R&D and sustainable production.

Founded in 2001, AP Label has consistently adhered to the service philosophy of ‘delivering what you need, anticipating what you haven’t thought of’.

Its products include self-adhesive labels, track-and-trace anti-counterfeiting labels, and shrink sleeves, all of which are widely used in a range of industries, including household chemicals, food and beverages, healthcare, chemicals, electronics and cigarette packaging.

Three technical updates

As a veteran enterprise in China’s label printing industry, developments at Suzhou AP Label have always been followed closely by the wider industry.

During its 25-year journey, every step has been in harmony with the technological changes in China’s printing industry. From an initial small-scale printing factory to a modern enterprise in Suzhou today, AP Label has built a production workshop covering an area of 11,000sqm, with over 190 employees and a monthly production capacity of more than 200 million labels.

This transformation was driven by three key technology investments. In 2008, when the domestic label market was still dominated by 4-color letterpress printing, AP Label was the first to introduce an imported web-fed flexo press, expanding its capabilities to 8-color printing. Over the following 10 years, the company installed 10 more flexo presses, making this technology its main production force.

The second transformation occurred in 2013 when AP Label seized the opportunity to invest heavily in developing short-run label capabilities with Xeikon, Domino and HP Indigo.

This new capacity not only significantly shortened the company’s response times to customer orders but also, through the innovative combination of digital and flexo printing technology, allowed the development of a variety of innovative functional labels targeted at supporting new product launches by brand owners.

The third transformation came in December 2024, when AP Label signed a contract for the first General Inkjet Printing (GIP) Spande 1,200 DPI digital and flexo hybrid press in China.

The company became the first supplier to pilot a new initiative to reduce the carbon footprint of L’Oreal in the North Asia region

The GIP Spande Label Modular 330 HD allows flexible integration of UV inkjet printing with highly automated flexo printing modules. The digital module is suitable for short-run orders, with a speed up to 80m/min; the flexo printing section is competent for larger production runs, operating at 200m/min. It takes just 15 minutes to switch between these two modes.

‘The combination of digital and flexo printing is not a brand-new concept for us,’ says Zhong Liang, marketing director of AP Label. ‘After the introduction of digital presses, we have combined the two technologies offline. A few years ago, when hybrid devices appeared on the market, we also conducted an investigation. We found at that time, the technology was not yet mature, so we chose to postpone the investment.’

The equipment has been in production for six months and is primarily used to produce high-end household chemical labels. Its adoption has streamlined the converter’s production workflow, significantly boosted efficiency while reducing the risk of human error.

Quality and innovation

Consistent with its investment in equipment upgrades, AP Label has maintained an unwavering commitment to product quality and innovation throughout its development journey.

‘A label accompanies a product throughout its entire lifecycle; this is why brands hold strict quality standards,’ notes Zhong Liang. ‘Our clients have multifaceted requirements. A high-quality label is more than just a reflection of product quality; it serves as a critical bridge between brands and consumers; it helps products stand out on shelves through detailed craftsmanship, becoming a pivotal touchpoint that resonates with consumers.’

To strengthen its quality procedures, AP Label has built a full chain of quality control procedures and obtained multiple certifications.

AP Label has also excelled in innovation, holding 36 industry patents covering hardware and technical solutions across production and process control, testaments to its strong innovation capabilities. This has earned the company ‘Jiangsu High-Tech Enterprise’ status.

It is precisely this dual commitment to quality and innovation that has propelled the company’s business expansion. From its initial focus on household chemical labels to gradual entry into more diverse sectors such as food and beverages, industrial chemicals and healthcare.

Sustainability

Leading brands now want more from labels than just quality print. They expect labels to integrate seamlessly into overall packaging and meet pressing sustainability needs. AP Label leads the industry in green development, with a full-chain system to address brands’ environmental requirements.

AP Label’s sustainability efforts have earned recognition, including carbon neutrality certification from SGS, a CDP A rating, and designation as a 3A Green Factory in Suzhou (2024).

The company also became the first supplier to pilot a new initiative to reduce the carbon footprint of L’Oreal in the North Asia region.

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Heidelberg reports improved profitability

Piotr Wnuk — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 20:57:42 +0000

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen has reported sales of 985 million EUR for the first half of the financial year 2025/2026, an 8 percent increase from 915 million EUR in the previous year, with Europe and Asia showing particularly positive developments.

The company's adjusted operating result doubled to 63 million EUR from 31 million EUR in the equivalent period of the previous year, corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 6.4 percent, up from 3.4 percent. Production costs and total working costs improved compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

Incoming orders after six months remained stable at 1,111 million EUR, following the previous financial year's strong first half-year driven by drupa. The company achieved notable success at Labelexpo in September, with orders running into double-digit millions of euros, underlining the strategic importance and growth potential of its label printing business.

'Heidelberg is holding up better than the competition in a very challenging market environment and is once again demonstrating that our strategy is working and bearing fruit,' noted Jürgen Otto, CEO at Heidelberg. 'The significant improvement in our profitability is particularly encouraging: a clear sign that our measures are proving effective.'

In the print and packaging equipment segment, half-year sales rose to 463 million EUR from 395 million EUR in the previous year. The digital and lifecycle segment achieved sales of 493 million EUR, with an order from a customer in China for ten Jetfire 50 digital printing systems and several digital Gallus label machines. The Technology Solutions segment totaled 29 million EUR in sales.

Free cash flow after six months was negative 63 million EUR, improved from negative 102 million EUR in the first half of the previous financial year. The net result after taxes reached break-even, compared to a negative 35 million EUR in the previous year.

The company confirmed its forecast for the financial year 2025/2026, expecting sales of around 2,350 million EUR and an adjusted EBITDA margin of up to 8 percent.

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Hontec opens UK sales office and distribution hub

Selah Zighelboim — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 15:28:32 +0000

Hontec, a Chinese manufacturer of flexographic printing presses, is opening Hontec UK, a new UK sales office and distribution hub.

Hontec UK enables Hontec to offer faster delivery, localized technical support and a more responsive service to customers across the region. It marks a significant step in Hontec's growth journey as the company strengthens its presence in the UK and European markets.

Establishing this UK hub reflects Hontec's commitment to supporting customers and building long-term partnerships within the British print and packaging industry.

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S Kumar sees strong momentum in offset-flexo hybrid technology

Adyasha Sinha — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:28:46 +0000

Conventional printing 28 October 2025

S Kumar sees strong momentum in offset-flexo hybrid technology

With over 350 Zonten equipment installations across India, S Kumar Multiproducts is witnessing strong growth for hybrid printing technology.

Established in 1981 in Ahmedabad, India, S Kumar Multiproducts began its journey as a converter before partnering with Zonten, based in China, as its distributor in India. This journey started in 2004, and since then, it has continued without pause.

The company experienced a groundbreaking year, achieving the highest number of flexo and intermittent offset Zonten installations in 2024.

Driving force
According to S Kumar, intermittent offset and flexo printing are gaining popularity due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness and ability to handle a wide range of substrates. Flexo printing, in particular, is seeing increased adoption for packaging and labeling applications due to its speed, adaptability and suitability for both short and long print runs.

‘We believe the short-run flexible packaging market is undergoing a shift,’ says Manish Hansoti, managing director at S Kumar Multiproducts. ‘The new standard for presses is now between 450 and 680mm web width, with large repeat sizes, particularly suited for 12-micron film printing. While gravure still dominates this segment, accounting for nearly 95 percent of the market, the shift has begun. More players are now exploring offset, flexo and digital technologies for short- to medium-run jobs such as pouches, sachets, shrink sleeves and other film-based applications.’

According to Hansoti, the reason for the recent increase in demand for offset is that as the width of the material increases, flexo costs increase substantially, making it unviable for small to medium runs, especially in flexible packaging and IML products. Digital printing also becomes expensive after a certain small quantity is reached.

Zonten and S Kumar’s recent successes include the installation of an offset-flexo hybrid press at Avon FPP in Ahmednagar. This government-funded organization selected Zonten via S Kumar after evaluating several vendors. The press features delam-relam capabilities, turn bar, cold foil, lamination and die-cutting. The machine has a width of 560mm, enabling it to print a wide variety of jobs, and offers production speeds of up to 150m/min.

“We are bullish about the Indian market. As India’s economy continues to grow at a rapid pace, the packaging machinery sector is reaching new heights”

S Kumar has also sold a 9-color 680mm full rotary offset press to Sprinpack in Delhi. The export-oriented company already had a rotogravure unit. For its small to medium runs, Sprinpack chose the latest Zonten machine, as cylinder costs were not viable, and it wanted to produce small quantities of pouches and sachets.

‘The unique selling point of our press lies in its speed and precision,’ shares S Kumar’s Hansoti. ‘Running between 120 and 150m/min, this full rotary offset press uses 10 servo motors per station, no gears or shafts, just advanced electronic controls. The press comes equipped with auto-inking systems and automatic registration controls.’

S Kumar has also recently completed installations of intermittent offset presses at Janus International in Thane, Vikram Printers in Pune and Moldtek in Hyderabad.

The differentiating factor
What sets S Kumar Multiproducts apart is that it is also a user of Zonten machines and can vouch for its efficiency. Converters planning to purchase Zonten presses can visit the S Kumar facility to observe the machines’ performance and make an informed decision before finalizing their purchase.

The company’s popularity was evident even at Labelexpo India. S Kumar recorded over 30 new installations of Zonten machines following the show, including 15 high-speed slitter-rewinders, 12 flatbed and intermittent die-cutters, three flexo presses and four hybrid presses.

‘We rely on word-of-mouth,’ Hansoti says. ‘Being printers ourselves, we understand the pain points and focus on building trust.’

He further adds: ‘We have a high repeat customer rate, and many of our machines have been running efficiently for over 20 years. After-sales service is a top priority for us. Our team of eight service engineers brings deep technical and printing expertise, and is supported by Zonten’s training programs.’

Another factor that gives the company an edge is that it hosts multiple open houses, in partnership with other converters, who have bought Zonten machines from S Kumar.

It hosted an open house with Avon FPP in June, targeting gravure users who are considering offset as an alternative for short-to medium-run jobs.

It also organized an open house at Dinson Labels in Navi Mumbai, in July, where a latest-generation flexo press was showcased. The press featured dual servo motors on each station and a large chilled roller specifically designed for printing on filmic substrates.

Expansion strategy
In terms of expansion, the company is not only looking to increase its geographical reach but is also developing its portfolio to include other equipment.

‘Expanding beyond India, we have made inroads into the Kenyan and Sri Lankan markets,’ shares Aarjav Hansoti, director at S Kumar Multiproducts. ‘In collaboration with HP Indigo Africa and Smart Printers Nairobi, we have installed a Zonten ZMQ digital finishing machine that combines screen printing, intermittent flexo, hot foil, IML cutting, embossing and slitting, all in a single-pass operation. We have sold a 9-color ZTR 450 press, featuring three servo motors on each station and 10in chilled rollers, to Sri Lanka-based IML leader Jayasinghe Industries for its in-house label production.’

In terms of new equipment, Aarjav Hansoti tells Labels & Labeling about a new, cost-effective inspection camera system that S Kumar launched in 2025.

It is available in both 4K and 8K resolutions and is priced between 23 lakh INR and 31 lakh INR (approximately between 26,000 USD and 36,000 USD). Live demonstrations are available at the company’s demo center in Ahmedabad, India.

“Being a one-stop solution for customers’ packaging needs is becoming increasingly important to ensure consistency of print across various formats”

Additionally, Aarjav Hansoti reveals that Zonten is poised to enter the digital realm with a UV inkjet press, slated for launch later in 2025.

S Kumar is also expanding into folding cartons. Sharing more details about the development, Aarjav Hansoti highlights: ‘Being a one-stop solution for customers’ packaging needs is becoming increasingly important to ensure consistency of print across various formats. Our printing division is expanding into folding cartons with a demo Komori press from Switzerland, targeting the pharma and personal care sectors with short-format jobs.’

The company aims to close FY26 with revenues of 100 crore INR (11.6 million USD), up from 70 crore INR (8.14 million USD) in FY24.

The S Kumar team

‘We are bullish about the Indian market. As India’s economy continues to grow at a rapid pace, the packaging machinery sector is reaching new heights,’ Manish Hansoti concludes.

S Kumar at Labelexpo India 2024

S Kumar reported 21 deals made at Labelexpo India 2024.

The company sold three flexo presses in four days. New Mumbai-based Dinsons Self Sticks has purchased a Zonten 370mm flexo 8-color, fully loaded, two-servo machine with cold foil, as well as a multi-substrate press equipped with lamination and die-cutting capabilities, along with a stacker conveyor featuring LED and UV properties. The machine incorporates flower-type technology along with delam-relam capabilities. This is Dinsons’ third Zonten flexo press as the company expands its involvement in the labeling business.

Another 8-color 430mm dual servo, fully loaded flexo press was picked by Sayona Labels.

Hindustan Labels of Nashik and Shri Om booked an HFQ 450 servo-driven, high-speed slitter rewinder with tension and web-guide control.

Hapur-based Aroosh Stickers booked a high-speed HFQ 350 slitter-rewinder for its new digital plant.

Ideal Seal Tape acquired a high-speed HMQ 350 die-cutter with a reversible hot foil and a sheeter conveyor.

S Kumar sold another three high-speed HMQ 450 die-cutters with reversible hot foil, lamination, sheeter and conveyor. It also sold three more slitter rewinders.

One intermittent, full-rotary die-cut, sheeter and slitter conveyor was sold to Shri Om Printers in Maharashtra.

S Kumar also sold two HMQ 450 flat-bed die-cutting machines with lamination, reversible hot foil, and a conveyor with sheeting and slitting capabilities, featuring single-pass technology. One was sold to Hyderabad-based Vimal Packaging, which also bought a high-speed HFQ 450 slitter-rewinder. The other machine was sold to Ahmedabad-based Prakash Printers and Coaters.

Two more HMQ 450 machines were sold to Surat-based Krutika Coatings and Hyderabad-based JK Labels.

Another high-speed HFQ 450 slitter-rewinder was sold to Accur8 Bizcom, based in Ahmednagar. It also bought a ZMQ 450 intermittent/full rotary multifunctional converting machine for labels and IML. Mohali-based United Labels also picked this machine.

Commenting on the company’s success at the show, Manish Hansoti, managing director, S Kumar Multiproducts, says: ‘We had a tremendous time at Labelexpo India. We are extremely proud of our performance. We booked a large number of machines, which is a first for our participation in Labelexpo. The show has exceeded our expectations, and we hope to come back bigger and stronger in the next edition.’

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Capitolia installs Hontec flexo press

Akanksha Meena — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:06:50 +0000

Capitolia, a label printer based in Argentina, has installed Hontec 8-color FlexiCon350 flexographic press equipped with a gravure unit.

This new line is designed to print thermal transfer labels with high precision and versatility, combining the strong color performance of flexography with the high ink density and coverage of gravure. The hybrid configuration allows Capitolia to handle a wider range of label materials and achieve richer image quality for demanding applications.

The installation was carried out independently by Capitolia’s in-house engineering team, led by Richard, whose professionalism and technical expertise ensured a smooth start-up. Hontec expressed great pride in the customer’s capability and commitment to excellence.

‘Seeing our customers operate the machine with such confidence and skill is truly rewarding,’ said a Hontec spokesperson. ‘We are delighted that the Argentina market has such outstanding local technical support, and we look forward to more collaborations with Capitolia in the future.’

The FlexiCon350 series has become one of Hontec’s best-selling models worldwide, recognized for its stability, fast setup and modular design that can integrate gravure, cold foil, and digital embellishment options to meet diverse market needs.

Posted date

3 weeks 2 days ago

Short title

Capitolia installs Hontec flexo press

Short summary

The hybrid configuration allows Capitolia to handle a wider range of label materials and achieve richer image quality for demanding applications.

First paragraph

The hybrid configuration allows Capitolia to handle a wider range of label materials and achieve richer image quality for demanding applications.

Regions

South & Central America

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Installations

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Hontec Industries Co., Ltd

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Rotocon wins fourth consecutive African Excellence Award

Piotr Wnuk — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 21:48:34 +0000

Rotocon has won the 2025 African Excellence Award for Best Label Printing & Converting Equipment Partner – South Africa and Client Service Excellence from MEA Markets, marking its fourth consecutive year of recognition in the awards program.

The company previously received honors as Leading Label Printing & Converting Equipment Partner in 2024, Most Innovative Printing and Converting Equipment Supplier in 2023 and Best Printing & Converting Equipment Supplier – South Africa in 2022.

The African Excellence Awards recognize businesses redefining industries across the continent, highlighting sectors experiencing significant growth and innovation while making lasting impacts on their communities and countries.

The 2025 award acknowledges Rotocon's comprehensive approach, which includes ongoing consultation, 24/7 technical support and advisory services designed to help clients exceed their customers' expectations. This strategy aligns with the company's goal of fostering a deeper understanding of the printing environment and recommending optimal equipment configurations.

Rotocon serves as the official South African representative for 14 leading international partners in the label printing industry. These partnerships, combined with Rotocon's own Chrome and Ecoline flexo printing and finishing machines, form the foundation of its market position.

'Rotocon is much more than just equipment. It's a culture of collaboration, trust and long-term relationships that defines our brand,' the Rotocon board of directors stated. 'We are honored to receive this African Excellence Award and celebrate it alongside our customers, partners and team members. This recognition reflects our commitment to innovative equipment, exceptional service and supporting our customers to thrive.'

Posted date

3 weeks 6 days ago

Short title

Rotocon wins fourth consecutive African Excellence Award

Short summary

The South African label equipment partner is recognized for service excellence and innovation.

First paragraph

The South African label equipment partner is recognized for service excellence and innovation.

Regions

Africa

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Conventional printing

Finishing & embellishment

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Rotocontrol International

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Associations, events & awards

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Al Nakheel invests in 8-color FlexiCon press

Piotr Wnuk — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 20:04:39 +0000

Al Nakheel Printing Press in the United Arab Emirates has installed an 8-color FlexiCon series flexographic printing press equipped with an in-mold label conveyor from Hontec.

The servo-driven flexo line integrates precision color control, in-line IML printing and substrate adaptability. The press enables Al Nakheel to produce high-quality, durable and visually striking IML labels for the region's packaging sector.

The investment strengthens Al Nakheel's production capabilities as demand for in-mold labels grows across the Gulf market. The new press will allow the converter to serve customers in the fast-growing packaging industry with enhanced automation and print performance.

Hontec has been expanding its footprint in the Middle East, providing flexo and label-finishing technology backed by local service and technical support.

'Our partnership with Al Nakheel Printing Press represents another milestone in bringing Hontec's innovative printing technology to leading converters in the UAE,' a Hontec representative commented. 'This installation underscores our commitment to supporting customers with cutting-edge automation and superior print performance.'

Posted date

4 weeks 2 days ago

Short title

Al Nakheel invests in 8-color FlexiCon press

Short summary

UAE printer adds IML capability with new flexo installation.

First paragraph

UAE printer adds IML capability with new flexo installation.

Regions

Asia-Pacific

Middle East

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Installations

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Hontec Industries Co., Ltd

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Capitolia installs Hontec flexo press

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