New Delhi delight

As Labelexpo India 2012 returns to Pragati Maidan, New Delhi for its sixth edition, David Pittman speaks with Labelexpo’s managing director Roger Pellow to learn more about what South Asia’s largest event for the label and package printing industry has to offer.

 

David Pittman (DP): What exactly is Labelexpo India and who is the show targeted at?

Roger Pellow (RP): Labelexpo India 2012 is the largest exhibition for the label, product decoration, web printing and converting industry in South Asia. Held every two years, the four-day show is aimed at label and package printers/converters, brand owners and designers. As with its sister shows in Asia, America and Europe, it has fast become the best place to see the latest advances in technology and materials with many live press demonstrations.

 

DP: Which companies will be exhibiting and what can visitors expect to see at the show?

RP: This year’s event is set to be the largest in its 10-year history as there will be over 200 press and material manufacturers exhibiting. As well as the established market leaders such as Esko, Gallus, HP, Mark Andy and Nilpeter, there are many exciting first time exhibitors including: Color-Dec, Fujifilm Sericol, Mimaki, Rheintacho and Webtech. There has also been a huge increase in international exhibitors with more manufacturers than ever before from the Far and Middle East including Anoop Plastic and Taghleef Industries.

 

The event is all about the show floor and allowing visitors to get close up to the newest machinery. With over 20 live working presses being demonstrated at the show by companies including Gallus and Mimaki, attendees will be well placed to make informed choices. Being able to see firsthand the many features these presses offer such as quick changeover time, rapid tension control and resulting print quality will be invaluable when it comes to making purchasing decisions.

 

In addition, visitors will also be able to see the latest ink and substrate innovations for everything from food through to pharmaceutical packaging with the latest in shrink sleeves, foil products and anti-counterfeiting solutions being shown.

 

DP: What are the key trends in package printing and packaging applications?

RP: The market is strong in India and has continued to grow at around 15 percent. India is experiencing significant changes at the moment with business becoming more commercialized as the Indian Government sets about finalizing its Foreign Direct Investment plans. International brands such as Tesco, Walmart and Carrefour entering the Indian wholesale market are in turn driving opportunities for printers/converters and as the landscape of India’s retail industry changes, there will be considerable gains for package printing suppliers across own-label products and branded goods.

 

Another major trend driving the print packaging market is the steep rise in the number of variations converters are having to produce. Brand owners are pushing demand ever more with additional SKUs and personalization in response to a growing population that is becoming more middle class as personal wealth increases.

 

Printers will need to adjust their business models and look at how shorter runs can be more profitable when the margins on volume are changing. Adding value through higher end finishes, smart labels such as QR codes and brand protection solutions such as holographics is growing in importance and also expectation. By offering added value services, converters will be more effective in selling and benefit from good margins.

 

As the industry has grown, printers are more willing to invest more in their plants, capital equipment and education.

 

Competition is getting fiercer for market share so many converters are scrutinizing their business to see where quick and sustainable gains can be made over their competitors. As a result we are seeing better training for technicians being adopted as converters more proactively protect their talent pool of workers. In addition as Western presses continue to sell well in India, Indian converters are learning more from their international counterparts about doing business on the global stage. More converters are investing in better machinery and newer technologies such as digital printing. Extra attention is also being paid to improving quality control with increased scuff testing and investment in upgrading machines with added extras such as inspection equipment.

 

As one of the world’s most vibrant and exciting market places, we look forward to returning with Labelexpo India 2014.

 

Find out more about Labelexpo India 2012 here

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