Held at India Expo Centre and Mart from 17 to 20 November, Labelexpo India 2016 concluded on a happy note, with many exhibitors from the industry closing profitable deals. Aimed at label and package printers, brand owners and label designers, the show witnessed leading Indian and international manufacturers showcasing cutting-edge technology in their respective domains. We bring to a run-up of some of the important deals that took place during the label show.
Zircon Technologies, headquartered in Dehradun, purchased two Xeikon 3500 presses while Skanem Interlabels purchased an HP Indigo WS6800 digital press. Weldon Celloplast, the Indian distributor for OMET flexo presses, sold a 10-color iFlex UV press to Mumbai-based Webtech Labels, a division of Huhtamaki PPL. Weldon also sold another iFlex flexo press to Insight Graphics. Vinsak, the distributor of Lombardi presses in India, sold a Lombardi Synchroline 430 flexo press to Excel Graphics in New Delhi. PGI Technologies launched its 3-color flexo press at Labelexpo India 2016, and sold five on the show floor. One each of these presses will be shipped to Chennai, Pune and Delhi, and two to Bengaluru. Weldon Celloplast, who also represents Alphasonics in India, confirmed the sale of a Melanie Duo ultrasonic cleaning system to Noida-based Any Graphics.
Noida-based UV Graphic Technologies launched four machines at Labelexpo India 2016, including an off-line and in-line rotary hot foil stamping machine, a combi plate mounter for the flexo industry, laboratory LED equipment and a UV LED curing system. Marks Enterprises sold eight machines at the show. The company signed contracts for three RBJ 280B double stations hot foil stamping and diecutting machines, as well as five RBJ 330A single station label diecutting machines during the four days of the show. Gurgaon-based A&A Labels bought a Weigang semi-rotary label diecutting and slitting machine. Martin Automatic signed a two-machine order with Kap Cones, based in New Delhi, for an MBS automatic butt splicer and LRD automatic transfer rewinder to ship in 2017.
Zircon Technologies has invested in an SPG Prints rotaLEN direct laser engraver, to provide a digital prepress workflow for imaging high volume rotary screens at its Dehradun factory. Bengaluru-based flexo plate-making trade shop, Sai Enterprises, signed a deal with Esko Graphics at Labelexpo India 2016. The company has ordered its second Esko CDI 4835 flexo plate imager at the show floor. Reifenhauser, the Indian distributor of Grafotronic machines, announced the sale of Pharma2 re-inspection machine to Art O Print.
For Nilpeter too, the show was a successful one. It sold three new presses. Two of them were booked by Sai Com Codes Flexoprint and the third one by Homemade Bakers—both based in Sonepat, Haryana. Indian label press manufacturer Multitec also sold both of its presses on display – the Ecosmart Servo press to Hyderabadbased Team Labels and the VSI Servo S2 press to Zambia-based Print Fast.
Konica Minolta India, which showed its new bizhub PRESS C71bf digital label press at the show, awarded its Flexcel NX certification to Delhi-based Kwality Offset and also announced its partnership with Sergusa Solutions. DIC India launched its Solarflex range of flexo inks for the Indian market.
The exhibition was held at a critical juncture for the Indian economy when a massive demonetization drive has been launched by the Indian government. We caught up with the exhibitors and visitors, and the overwhelming response was a general support to this government injunction. Although people complained of facing cash shortage at a time of such a crucial exhibition, it was termed more like a necessary evil which should help the industry in developing more transparency and accountability, and grow with a strong bottom-line in the long term.
