India shining! Indian Exhibitors at Labelexpo Europe

 

Fourteen Indian companies will be showcasing their produce at Labelexpo Europe 2017 in Brussels. I am tempted to look back at 2005 when my company Weldon Celloplast Limited was the only Indian company exhibiting its labelstocks at the show. It remained so with each subsequent edition of the show until 2009. In 2011 we were joined by at least three more Indian companies as exhibitors and thereon the number of exhibitors from India has continued to slowly increase. Indian companies have benefitted from Labelexpo Europe. Initially it was a learning process as visitors and coming back home to upgrade their products to global standards. I contacted all the fourteen who are exhibiting to know their experience. Eleven of the fourteen responded. What is interesting to note is that all the Indian exhibitors at Labelexpo Europe 2017 are repeat exhibitors. Each one of them was present at the 2015 Labelexpo in Brussels. This actually indicates the value that this exclusive show delivers. The suppliers return repeatedly to showcase yet again.

For a Label show or for that matter any print show to succeed, it must have the maximum number of running presses live onsite at the show. As I mentioned above until 2009 there was just one Indian exhibitor showcasing labelstocks. There was no Indian press manufacturer who could display a label press that could stand up to the international quality standards needed in a label printing press. At Labelexpo Europe 2011 we saw a welcome change when Amit Ahuja of Faridabad based Multitec Aids Pvt. Ltd. Stand No. 5C10, a design engineer showcased his label press. Multitec, setup in 1983, has continued to exhibit in all subsequent editions of this show. It will be their 4^th time to be showcasing there running label press in Brussels. This time they will exhibit their S2 model which is a full servo press with metal sleeve/cylinder concept which is advantageous as compared to fibre sleeves. The plate cylinder has been converted into a sleeve for easy mounting with no gear contact between sleeve and impression cylinder. There is a direct servo drive to print cylinder and another direct servo drive to impression cylinder in every printing unit. The machine has fast setup time, low wastage and infinitely variable print repeat. Amit is happy that after multiple showcasing at Labelexpo they are recognized as a supplier of world class equipment economically. They are now hoping to extend their marketing to South America and African countries after their success in Indian and Middle East markets.

The largest amongst the Indian labelstock manufacturers, Ajay Mehta lead SMI Coated Products

Pvt. Ltd. Stand No. 11A27 was setup in 1993. In their 4^th time showcasing at Labelexpo they will exhibit their large range of labelstock solutions. SMI offers 200 SKUs with various adhesive options, their products are sold to 22 countries. Ajay says, “Labelexpo Brussels is the Mecca of Label Industry, each show is better than the previous one. We are able to generate gainful leads with our participation in the show”. He further adds, “It also gives us an opportunity to meet friends from around the world”. SMI will launch two new label stock solutions; Clear on Clear and UV cured peel able adhesive label solutions, especially for “Wet Wipes” application. 

Cosmo films Stand No. 3C70 with Ashok Jaipuria as founder Chairman and Managing Director was established in 1981.They are a global leader and manufacturers of specialty films for packaging, lamination and labeling applications offering biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films, cast polypropylene (CPP) films and soon to be offered biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET) films. Also a fourth time exhibitor at Labelexpo, they will display their entire range of label films for Wrap Around, Cut N Stack, IML and PSA labels along with over-lamination films, direct thermal printable film and universal printable synthetic paper. Pankaj Poddar, the CEO of Cosmo film while confirming that exhibiting here generates business, expresses his appreciation for this show, “Our experience at the previous shows has been very good. Europe has always been a leading market for coated films and PSA label films. One gets to see the latest trends that are going to be driving future demand in our segment”. Some of the new products that will be on display include high temperature direct thermal printable film which can endure temperatures of -20 to 130 degrees C, used for carcass tagging and deep freeze labeling.  Also on display will be premium label over lamination films in velvet, black velvet and scuff free finishes.

Third time exhibitor Shashikant Garware’s, Garware Polyester Ltd. Stand No. 3E70, established in 1978, are the first and one of the largest manufacturer exporter of Polyester Film in India. An ISO 9001 – 2008 certified company, Garware Polyester is global technology-driven organization with an expertise in  manufacturing,  marketing value added Polyester, BOPP, Thermal lamination and Sun Control Window Films. It has been a trendsetter in Polyester Film manufacturing for more than last 30 years with development of products like Motor Insulation Films, Low Oligomer Films, PET Shrink Films, Lidding films, BOPP films, PET and BOPP Coated LABELS film, PET Silicone Liner, PET Matt Film, Pet White Qpaque Film and Lamination Films (Wet & Thermal). At Labelexpo they will like to establish global presence in Label industry and to expand their network. They assert that the last two times that they exhibited has given them a platform to showcase the product range, specially the new products and innovations with an opportunity to meet new possible future clients and brand owner prospects globally.

Exhibiting for the 3rd time MonotechSystems Ltd. Stand No. 9A42 is manufacturer of solutions for printing and packaging industry in India representing a number of world renowned companies. They will display brochures and samples of their recently launched solutions and Color Press-Colornovo: UV Inkjet Label Production press will be re-launched with more additions to it, plus a Track and Trace Solution will be showcased. According to Tej Prakash Jain Managing Director, the previous two exposures have benefitted Monotech and now that they offer various inkjet solutions for label printing like monochrome, full color inkjet system, security printing and track and trace solutions, they would be looking at a good number of prospects. Faridabad headquartered AlliancePrintech Pvt. Ltd. Stand No. 11A/22 manufacturer of flexo label press is exhibiting for the 2^nd time. Owner Jatinder Julka says, “Though we sold our machines in Arab countries and UAE yet it was most rewarding to find sales partners at previous Labelexpo in Western and Eastern Europe. We would like to strengthen our partnerships further”. India’s only flexible dies manufacturer Diehard dies Pvt. Ltd. Stand No. 7A46 exhibiting for the third time are a satisfied exhibitor who will display their range consisting of Premium flexible Dies, Laser Hardened flexible Dies, Brass and Magnesium embossing blocks, Foiling blocks, texture embossing, foiling blocks, multilevel embossing blocks, Flat cutting, creasing Dies and Rotary Dies. Owner T R Prabhu says, “It is a good platform to show case technology and innovations. We are also going to show case double sided plating steel flexible dies”.

Amit Sheth owned company Intergraphic India with their OEM partners Pulisi at Stand No.4A42 will exhibit their inline inspection machine with turret and re-inspection function. Stic-On Papers Pvt.Ltd.Hyderabad Stand No. 6E43 manufacturers of release liners and self adhesive labelstocks is exhibiting for the second time at Labelexpo Europe. Stic-On has been growing and expanding in capacity in recent times. Managing Director Karan Reddy states, “It is the platform where we meet new customers who come to know about our company. It is a time and place for our customer base to grow”. Harsh Doshi heading commercial siliconizing company Globus International Coaters Pvt Ltd. Stand No. 4A38 Mumbai is happy to be at the Labelexpo for the second time. According to him, “It is an excellent show. We participate to meet existing and potential new Customers as also to create new markets for ourself”. They will be exhibiting Solvent-less Silicone Coated Release Papers and Films. They will also be showing their new products Fluoro Liners, HDPE high temperature resistant liners and Non-silicone Liners. Gaurav Sathaye of United Speciality Inks Pvt. Ltd., Stand No.3E62 says, “It is an excellent show with label printers and solutions providers from India, Europe, Africa and South America visiting to know about the latest trends and to find alternate suppliers. This is our second time at Labelexpo and the last time we got a lot of interest from global distributors for our products. We are one of the oldest and reputed manufacturers of Printing Inks in India”. They will also display their new UV Flexo Opaque White, Jet Black, specialty and Security Solutions in inks.

will exhibit their inline inspection machine with turret and re-inspection function.

India’s largest hologram manufacturers U K Gupta lead, Holostik Ltd. Stand No. E-42, Hall No. 4, is the only Indian converter who has been continuously present at the last three consecutive editions of Labelexpo Europe. It is widely felt that this event is for suppliers to label industry as exhibitors and converters or printers are visitors. However in case of Holostik, they have found value in their presence here, so have returned for the 3^rd time to be an exhibitor. When asked about their previous experience at the show, Umendra Kumar Gupta, Chairman and Managing director replied, “It definitely has been a good experience for us and this is the reason that we keep on participating in Label Expos. We get decent number of enquiries from the show and it also serves the purpose of brand building for our company Holostik”. Holostik will be showcasing the latest anti-counterfeiting technologies portraying their innovative products and solutions.

*Three companies namely Convertech Equipment Pvt. Ltd., Mona Equipment and IEEC Power Electronics PVT. LTD. also exhibitors at this show did not respond to my queries for information.

Written by Harveer Sahni, Chairman Weldon Celloplast Limited, New Delhi India August 2017

Printing magazines and publications may reproduce this article giving credit to author. 

For advertising on this blog please email to harveersahni@gmail.com 

Label printers visiting Labelexpo, in search of emerging technologies!

Ray Stanton Avery

It is a time in the evolution of label producing technologies when development is taking place globally towards various tangents. Until the 1930s, wet glue was perhaps the only technology for label production and application. When in 1936 Ray Stanton Avery created the self adhesive label, another process evolved and started to grow so much so that in recent times the usage of self adhesive or pressure sensitive labels reached a level of almost 50% of all the labels produced. Screen printing is a very old technology, with evolution and further development of this process into other applications somewhere in the 1960s, when plastic containers started replacing the heavy glass containers in packaging consumer products, screen printing directly on containers became popular. This could not really be classified as a mass usage technique as it lacked the decoration capabilities that were fast becoming the need of increasing consumerism. Initially flat bed letterpress and then flexo rotary printing presses with in line die cutting provided a good platform for producing multi-coloured labels at faster speeds. Introduction of more decorating processes like varnishing, lamination and foiling on these presses made the screen printing on containers loose ground even though screen printing evolved and grew in other application.

Flatbed label press

Over the next three decades narrow web label production saw landmark changes. Flexography saw immense technological advancements. Print quality improved tremendously and PSA (Pressure Sensitive Adhesive) label markets started to register amazing growth and proliferation. The printing and converting speeds which, in the initial years was 10-15 meters per minute on flat bed letterpress Japanese machines of 5-7 inches width had grown initially to 10 inches which later increased to be 13 inches to 20 inches and more. The printing and converting machines have also registered increase in speed, the new label presses are running at over 200 meters per minute. Ink technologies have also seen rapid changes. From the thick paste inks in letterpress to liquid inks in flexo printing. Drying techniques also changed drastically. In the initial days printers would hang paper web after printing on a clothes line to dry and then manually re-roll the labels. Then came the time when hot air drying was introduced on presses to increase speed. With introduction of UV inks the speeds shot up tremendously. As production speeds increased, number of printers also increased bringing intense competition. The need to reduce wastage and energy became an imperative to stay profitable. New changes and processes started to emerge on presses. The short web path, continuous production, inline inspection, and host of other changes were taking place in label presses. Introduction of LED UV inks is another step towards conservation of energy. Need for short runs, variable data printing and the speed of creation from computer to print made digital printing to also grow and evolve. 

Hybrid label press

In the beginning of a new millennium, to stay ahead of competition, label printers started to invest in hybrid machines with capabilities to print and convert with multiple technologies. Different printing technologies are now possible on the same equipment. Screen printing re-emerged in label printing machines with rotary screens, where high deposition of colour is needed. Gravure printing is also now a part of a label printing press where metallic inks are to be printed. Today presses are available with Flexo, Offset, Gravure, digital and Screen printing inline on the same press along with decorating and finishing like varnishing, lamination, embossing/debossing, die cutting, waste matrix removal, slitting sheeting in a single pass. The label presses have further evolved to have multi-substrate printing and converting capabilities. They are now capable of handling from films of 12 micron thickness to thick boards. These equipment are now able to produce a wide range of end products like labels, flexible packaging, shrink sleeves, lamitubes and folding cartons.

Labelexpo Europe has been the front runner in showcasing the evolving label printing and converting

technologies. Over the years it has acquired the status of being the Mecca of label industry. It remains the must-attend show for label printers spread across the world. Global suppliers of equipment, tooling, consumables, software, other related material and service providers exhibit their products alongwith new developments made by them at this premium show. This year 650 exhibitors will showcase their offerings at Labelexpo 2017. At the last showing in 2015, 31795 visitors came from 158 countries to witness the labels evolution taking place and showcased in 7 halls that have now increased to 9 halls. Digital label printing and converting that had miniscule presence some years ago is now spread in dedicated halls with 65 digital presses in operation. The show has grown from strength to more strength over the years. It has now become the must attend show for the global label printing and packaging companies. The story in India is no different, as one the fastest growing economies in the world, the label industry also is growing at a healthy and steady pace. Indian label printers have started to patronize this expo in growing numbers that keep swelling in every showing of this premium event. In an effort to assess the mood of the leading label companies in India I have asked them about their interest in the event or what motivates them to be there and maybe about their intention to buy.

Arvind Shekhar

Planning to visit Labelexpo Europe for the first time, South India Bangalore based Arvind Shekhar Director of Sai Packaging says, “Yes I will attend Labelexpo, It will be my first visit and I am looking forward to the opportunity to learn.” Also planning to visit first time is Himanshu Kapur, Director of J K Fine Prints Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai. He is son of past President of LMAI, a veteran of label industry, Surendra Kapur. Himanshu feels it is necessary to be at the show since no one wants to be left behind in the technology race for achieving perfection. His views are reaffirmed by Uday Lodha, Director Barcom Ltd. Mumbai. He says “I will attend Labelexpo because I have missed out on last two occasions and being part of the label fraternity I can’t afford to do that this time around and of course I look forward to connect with friends, colleagues and associates under one roof which is brimming with world class innovation and supreme technological advancements”. Rajendra Gandhi, Director Maharshi Labels Pvt. Ltd. Ahmedabad states that the event cannot be missed as we must attend to gain knowledge and update ourself.

Changing scenario in the global label industry has made many printing companies to sit up and study

Hemanth Paruchuri

the developments taking place. No other event in today’s time brings together the complete gamut of changes happening in the label industry globally. Mukesh Goel, Director, Gopsons Papers Ltd. New Delhi wishes to understand the technological advancements and future direction of this industry.  Y H Solanki, Managing Director Sicon Packs Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai expresses that it is the biennial knowledge point for understanding the evolution of labels and the direction it is going in. The Indian industry is convinced that it is time to make strategic decision to restructure or plan their moves for leading their companies to new directions and excel. Hyderabad headquartered Pragati Pack has been in the fore front of industry constituents who are consistently investing in emerging technologies. They have never missed a Labelexpo for many years. Though the CEO of Pragati Group and industry stalwart Narendra Paruchuri is not attending but heading their label business his son Hemanth Paruchuri Director, Pragati Pack (India) Pvt. Ltd. Hyderabad will attend and he says “It is an important show that gives insights into trends in the industry and also showcases the latest technology”.  Jaideep Singh Owner Zodiac Printers also from Hyderabad expressed that it is a melting POT of all new innovations from across the globe. To be there is necessary for us to understand and assimilate, which enables us to plan our future strategy.

With India attracting the interest of global players in labels and packaging notable investments have taken place mostly as acquisition of running successful enterprises by companies like Huhtamaki, Skanem, ITW, etc. Amar Chhajed President Huhtamaki PPL Ltd. says, "We will be studying the latest developments in digital printing and finishing as well as new age technologies like EB curing. Sustainable raw material is also an area of special interest to us". Hariharan Venkataraman Managing Director, Skanem Interlabels Industries Mumbai- India will attend Labelexpo to catch a glimpse of the frontiers of labeling technology. 

Raveendran of Seljegat

 Exhibitors are always on the lookout of printers who will take purchase decisions. Raveendran Managing Director of Sel-Jegat Printers PrivateLimited, at Sivakasi in South India will attend Label Expo Europe at Brussels. They propose to finalise a machine with latest technology for the production of special labels as well as for the packaging line. They also intend spending more time on the digital printing equipment to understand and subsequently invest in the same. Dinesh Mahajan Managing Director Prakash labels says, "The expo will provide us with a platform for important buying decisions.". Harish Gupta, Director Sai Com Codes  Flexoprints Pvt. Ltd. Rai Distt. Sonepat NCR Delhi said “We intend to line up with new technology and to finalise two more lines for our new expansion”. Recently concluded LMAI conference titled “Innovations Simplified” left an indelible mark on the minds of the label fraternity attending the event. Tejas Tanna, Director Printmann Group Mumbai, India asserts that to keep up with the latest trends in the label industry and to identify simplified solutions to improve production efficiency, he will attend this exhibition.

Sandeep Zaveri

A rapidly growing market size and increasing number of label printing companies has brought with it intense competition. Added to this, the print buyers resorting to cost cutting measures like reverse auctions has made converters to sit up and consider measures to innovate, create new products, be more efficient and produce cost effectively. Sanjeev Sondhi, Director Zircon Technologies India Limited, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India  will attend Labelexpo with an intent to explore new technologies to produce to economies of scale and to add such value which can command better price. U K Gupta Managing Director India's largest Hologram manufacturing company Holostik Ltd. sees labelexpo as the showcase of latest innovations, trends and developments that lead to future growth of label industry. Sandeep Zaveri, Managing Director Total Prints Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai and President LMAI (Label Manufacturers Association of India) will be looking forward to see many innovations and latest equipment running on the show. 

Manish Desai

Networking at such events brings about comradeship amongst global label industry printers and suppliers. It builds bridges of friendship that leave lasting memories for industry members to look forward to and to return to the show in its next edition. Kuldip Goel, Managing Director Anygraphics Noida, U.P. is convinced that Labelexpo is not just an eye opener to the future trends, it also brings the global label fraternity a lot closer. It provides amazing networking opportunities. Manish Desai of Mudrika Labels Pvt Ltd Mumbai India and past President LMAI says "Label Expo delivers endless knowledge and networking opportunities with fellow label printers and suppliers.

Written by Harveer Sahni, Chairman Weldon Celloplast Limited, New Delhi India August 2017

Printing magazines and publications may reproduce this article giving credit to author. 

For advertising on this blog please email to harveersahni@gmail.com