Roy Schoettle, vice president for Asia Pacific at XSYS Flexo, visited India recently to align distribution strategies following the global merger of McDermid Graphic Systems and XSYS. In an exclusive conversation with Packaging South Asia in Mumbai, Schoettle outlined how the merger enhances the company’s position in one of the world’s fastest-growing flexographic printing markets.
Merger brings dual go-to-market strategy
Schoettle explained that the visit was aimed at aligning sales channels across both entities, which had operated separately until now. With the integration of McDermid and XSYS, the company will now adopt a dual go-to-market strategy—supplying directly to customers while maintaining strong distributor partnerships.
“This offers customers flexibility. Those with existing relationships with distributors can continue, while others can engage directly with us,” he said. “Distributors often provide a broader basket of products—presses, inks, aniloxes, sleeves—so this hybrid model brings the best of both worlds.”
India’s enhanced role post-merger
The merger has significantly strengthened XSYS’s footprint in India. While McDermid had a strong local presence, XSYS brings a wider product portfolio. This includes high-performance plates for corrugated printing, proprietary plate-making equipment—such as digital imagers, UV and LED exposure units, washers, and dryers—as well as a globally recognized range of printing sleeves.
“McDermid’s strengths were in flexible packaging and label printing. In corrugated, XSYS offers a higher-quality product line. We also manufacture all our plate-making equipment and sleeves in-house, giving us end-to-end capability,” Schoettle noted.
India – fastest growing flexo market in Asia-Pacific
According to Schoettle, India is the fastest-growing flexographic printing market in Asia-Pacific, and one of the most dynamic globally. “The number of high-end flexo press installations here is outpacing the rest of the region,” he said, highlighting strong growth in neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan as well.
“Compared to China, for instance, India’s flexo quality is already higher. China focuses on volume and simpler applications, while Indian converters are pushing for quality, especially as they increasingly target export markets in Europe and North America,” Schoettle added.
Flexo versus gravure – India closing the gap
Flexo has historically lagged gravure in quality, but that gap is narrowing rapidly. Schoettle credits the gravure-dominant Asian market for driving flexo to higher quality standards.
“If you can compete with gravure in Asia, you can easily meet the expectations of customers in the US or Europe. Quality is no longer the limiting factor—it’s about having the right equipment, ink, plates, and skilled personnel,” he said.
Expanded capabilities and focus areas
Schoettle confirmed that XSYS’s core customer base in India comprises trade shops and plate houses, which cater across the flexible packaging, label, and corrugated segments. The company has strong ambitions to grow in all these areas and is also a leading supplier of plates for letterpress, dry offset, and security printing—including those used for Indian banknotes.
“XSYS’s legacy in India with corrugated and McDermid’s strength in flexible packaging now combine into a full-spectrum offering—from tags and labels to cans and PET printing,” he said.
India climbing the global rankings
While India is not yet among XSYS’s top global markets by revenue, Schoettle said it is on the verge of breaking into the top 10. “Given current growth rates, India is one of our most promising markets for the future,” he said.
New product launches on the horizon
Schoettle revealed that XSYS recently launched a new label printing plate for the Indian market and hinted at a significant upcoming equipment launch within the next few months. “India has often been an early adopter of new technology, and we expect this innovation to resonate here,” he said, without disclosing further details.
Looking ahead to the LMAI conference in Udaipur
Schoettle will also attend the upcoming LMAI (Label Manufacturers Association of India) conference in Udaipur, calling it a key networking platform. “Everyone from the label industry and the major trade shops will be there. It’s the right moment to showcase our strengthened presence and connect with partners,” he said.
With its expanded portfolio, deeper market reach, and a focus on high-quality flexo solutions, XSYS Flexo is positioning itself as a major player in India’s packaging and label printing sector. As Schoettle noted, “We may not be number one yet, but we’re not far from it—and we’re growing fast.”
