Heidelberg to detail Middle East market positivity

Heidelberg wants to see the Middle East print market look forward to the future after confirming its presence at Gulf Print & Pack 2015, taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre across April 13-16 next year.

The printing equipment manufacturer has signed on to be an exhibitor at the show, where it will use its presence to highlight what it says are ‘customized solutions for successful business models in the print media industry in the Middle East’, and share a positive message with the region’s print industry.

Roger Nicodeme, general manager for sales at Heidelberg Middle East, says: ‘Gulf Print & Pack 2015 is an opportunity for us to push a message out to the market that the print industry is still in good health in the Middle East.

‘There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic if you are involved in the print industry in the Middle East and we want to make sure our customers and the whole industry are aware of this.’

As such, Heidelberg is to use Gulf Print & Pack 2015 to focus on a number of key themes and technologies that can benefit its customers across the Middle East, such as the Prinect workflow and the Linoprint digital press platform. Linoprint is to make its debut in the Middle East at Gulf Print & Pack 2015, with a press to form a central part of the company’s stand on the show floor.

‘We have new solutions and products that can help our customers make the most of the opportunities in the region’s print industry and build success into their businesses, from pre-press to post-press.

‘As well as our own technologies, we will be showing equipment from Fujifilm, such as a Zac processor, plates, chemicals and more. In tandem with a Linoprint press, this will serve to allow us to present a complete offering to the market, centred around Prinect. We’ll be able to show how the pre-press and digital press connects to the workflow, creating a full, integrated system. Show attendees like to see an end product and get more excited about workflow if they can see it in action.’

The full acquisition of Gallus will also be a prominent talking point for Heidelberg, and how this can benefit its customers by giving them access to a more rounded offering.

‘We have an established offering in offset and flexo, and will be giving exposure to how customers can benefit from our acquisition of Gallus, plus the launch of a digital/flexo hybrid platform.’

In September this year, Heidelberg launched the Gallus DCS 340, a hybrid digital/flexo press platform based on Fujifilm’s inkjet technology and developed in collaboration with Gallus, which has been designed for the self-adhesive label market and features a native print resolution of 1,200dpi and production speeds of 50m/min.

‘Thanks to the Gallus DCS 340, label printers will be able to enjoy the benefits of efficient digital production and a full range of functions, even when handling short runs and personalized jobs – just as they have come to expect from Gallus machine systems.’

Further, as previously reported in Labels & Labeling, Heidelberg sees its latest digital growth strategy as an essential response to volatile trading conditions in core markets.

‘Modern customers are very much interested in the tangible savings they can make from investments,’ says Nicodeme. ‘Their margins are getting smaller and smaller so they want more efficient machines and ways of doing business so as to ensure their profitability and long-term future. Customers have to feel it or they won’t invest.

‘That’s what we’re going to show at Gulf Print & Pack 2015; how new technologies, new workflows, new machines, migrating digital presses into existing workflows and hybrid printing can improve productivity and reduce overheads.’

Heidelberg Middle East is targeting direct sales at Gulf Print & Pack 2015 and looks forward to welcoming printers from across the region, with plans to personally invite customers from key target markets, such as Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, to the show. It is also looking to benefit from the opportunity to lay the groundwork for future investments by educating both its current customers and leads on the latest opportunities.

‘This show will give us the opportunity to prepare the market for longer term investment, but also act upon the desire of those looking to invest in the near future,’ Nicodeme says, adding: ‘It is good for the health of us as a company and the industry as a whole to be present at Gulf Print & Pack 2015 and deliver a positive message to the Middle East print industry.’

Mike Simmonds, event manager at Gulf Print & Pack, said: 'The exhibitor line up for Gulf Print & Pack 2015 is getting more formidable every day and we are delighted to have Heidelberg, one of the world’s leading manufacturers, taking part at 2015’s show. The show is the MENA region’s only major print event and as such gives printers there an unrivalled opportunity to see and meet international suppliers and learn how to grow their businesses, leverage their expertise and skills and add value to the customer.'

Entry to Gulf Print & Pack 2015 is free and pre-registration can be made by visiting www.gulfprintpack.com.