Successful launch of Labelexpo South China

Labelexpo Global Series has reported the successful inaugural edition of Labelexpo South China in Shenzhen, with a total of 8,778 visitors passing through its doors between December 8-10, 2020.
Labelexpo South China, launched in Shenzhen, received 8,778 visitors in December

Taking place at one of the largest purpose-built event spaces in the world, Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center, and occupying 11,000 sqm of floor space, the show offered a platform for 130 exhibitors to showcase the latest label and package printing machinery, smart technology, materials and components. Chinese exhibitors included Fangda Packaging, HanGlobal, Shenzhen Caisheng Printing Machinery, Soonmax, Hongsheng, Pulisi, Reborn, Runtianzhi and Shanghai Haixi. Overseas exhibitors included 3M China, BST Eltromat, Epson, Konica Minolta and Ritrama, with confirmed sales including HP and Luster equipment. 

Technology launches for the region included Durst’s Tau 330RSC, the new generation of HP Indigo’s 6K and 25K digital presses, as well as Konica Minolta’s MK 360R cutting machine. Luster’s LabelMan-2020 T saw its world debut.

Other equipment on show included Shenzhen Huada Huahui Machinery’s DJKDM full rotary offset printer, Shenzhen Reborn Precision Machinery’s die-cutting and hot stamping machinery, Guangzhou Pulisi Technology’s inspection machines, Guangdong Qianrun Machinery’s letterpress and sticker printing machines, and Shenzhen Caisheng Printing Machinery’s letterpress systems.

Positive feedback
Kevin Liu, event director for Labelexpo South China 2020, said: ‘We are delighted with the success of our first Labelexpo show in Shenzhen, the region’s key printing and technology hub. With a fantastic footfall of almost 8,800 visitors, a rebook rate of 35 percent, and extremely positive feedback from exhibitors and event partners alike, the show is resounding proof that it’s possible to launch and run a successful, high-quality event safely in these challenging times.’

The main show feature, the Print Automation 4.0 Hub, offered live demonstrations of the label production process. Beijing Value Technology and Luster displayed the SmartFAB printing factory’s management process, while Hybrid Software demonstrated rapid electronic proofing. Rhyguan showcased its Plus-330 digital converting and finishing machine, while Luster also displayed the LabelMaster-F off-line label quality inspection system. 

Show visitors also attended Label Academy educational programs tackling the industry’s hottest topics. The Shrink Sleeve Technology workshop included design and origination requirements, shrinkable films, different printing processes, technologies, specialized applications, sleeve performance, quality, and troubleshooting. The speaker line-up included Simon Wang, sales and service manager of Hybrid Software in Greater China, Jerry Xu, sales director for Asia at Klöckner Pentaplast, Will Jiang, technology manager at Flint Group, and Dawei You, product manager at Luster. 

The Digital Label and Package Printing Masterclass featured a comparison of the different technologies, inkjet technology in digital label printing, pre-press systems, strategies and workflow automation, substrate selection, and digital print finishing. Speakers included Sheldon Wang, account manager at HP China, Zhigang Ding, supervisor of label division at Konica Minolta, Jimmy Zhan, sales director for China at Domino, Danny Hu, regional director of China at Meteor Inkjet, Qiang Wu, software sales support at Esko, Steve Deng, China sales manager at Cerm, Calvin Xu, product solutions manager at Avery Dennison, and Ramon Li, general manager of Brotech. 

Eve Cai, marketing manager of HP Indigo Greater China, said: ‘Under the severe situation of Covid-19, it is not easy for Labelexpo South China 2020 to be held successfully as scheduled. We see the digitization process of the label industry has accelerated under the new normal, and those ideals proposed by HP Indigo more than ten years ago are slowly unfolding themselves. The very first Indigo 6K digital printing machine in China was signed up on-site.’

‘As the sister show of Labelexpo Asia, Labelexpo South China is the only show in the label industry after the epidemic, and received undiminished enthusiasm from the industry professionals,’ added Yan Jianhai, general manager at Shanghai Haoxi Technology. ‘Each and every visitor to our booth showed great interest in the Durst Tau 330 RSC digital label printing machine. The show has given us a valuable opportunity to deepen our communication with the label printers in South China. We expect to achieve more at Labelexpo Asia 2021.’

‘Trade shows are vital for economic growth, so it’s incredibly encouraging to see the region flourishing. Labelexpo South China is an important part of that jigsaw, and, crucially, will act as a vital catalyst for the recovery of the label and package printing industry in the region into 2021 and beyond,’ concluded Liu.

Yolanda Wang

  • China editor