Gulf Print and Gulf Pack 09 exhibitions, organised simultaneously by Fairs & Exhibitions with a vision at the Dubai Airport Expo Centre from April 6-9, 2009 concluded with stimulant response attracting over two hundred exhibitors from the Middle East region apart from India, China, Taiwan, Germany and Italy, with line of printing machinery, software and ancillary equipments. The show succeeded in attracting considerably good number of visitors as per the expectations, resulting an excellent number of sales leads for exhibitors.

From India, over 25 exhibitors participated in the show including: Abhishek Print Line, Chemline India Limited, Flexofab, Hindustan Tin Works Ltd with Rexam HTW Beverages Can (India) Ltd, Micro Ink/Huber Group, Intergraphic Sales & Services Pvt Ltd, Maharashtra Plastic & Industries, Multiflex, NAPH Graphics Pvt Ltd, Quadtech Inc (India), Sharp Graphics Pvt Ltd, Sheth Printograph Pvt Ltd, Sigma Rollers, SS Packaging Industries, Technicon India, The Printers House (P) Ltd, Vintex Rubber Industries, VNB International, VS Offset Engineers, Uma Converter Pvt Ltd. and Welbound Worldwide etc.

Among other prominent exhibitors directly or with their local associates included: Flex Middle East FZE, Secure Print Equipment Suppliers, HP, Heidelberg, Canon, Xerox, Gandinnovations, OneVision, Tensor Group Inc and Baldwin etc. At the stand of Heidelberg, Speed Master 52 five-colour press, Prinect, Suprasetter CtP system were star attractions. Fidia Nimbo finishing equipment was also being demonstrated in nearby area.

The companies from China, Taiwan and Italy were showcasing their products in country-wise pavilions whereas all exhibitors from India were scattered around.

Another attraction at the show was the associations representing companies concerned with different segments of the industry. European Rotogravure Asssociation (ERA)—the Germany’s leading international organization of the Gravure industry, with 110 members from Europe and overseas, including printers, cylinder engravers, suppliers of equipment and materials, and print buyers—emphasised that no other printing process than gravure guarantees both colour brilliance and consistant excellent quality over the whole print run. That is why it is the preferred printing process for the manufacturers of packagings for branded goods. Besides, Taiwan Regional Association of Adhesive Tape Manufacturers—an association of 37 companies who are specialized in all kinds of adhesive tapes: industrial tapes, electronic tapes, medical tapes, protection tapes, ink jet materials, cold lamination films, protection films, label stock, label index, stick-on-notes; and ACIMGA—an association representing the Italian manufacturers of machinery for the graphic, converting and paper industry—were also present.

Additionally designed to help to improve business, and plan for the future, industry experts from the global printing and packaging industries, ‘2009 Thought Leadership Conference’ was yet another initiative during the show, that however could attract only a few.

‘Digital Technology is gaining momentum around the globe and everyone in the print and packaging industry needs to address the right investment in equipment and software to take advantage of it’ was the key message at the first conference session which was opened by HE Sheikha Lubna Khalid Al Qasimi, the UAE’s minister of foreign trade.

During this session presenting his views about the prevailing scenario in the region, Saeed Al Falasi, executive director of the International Media Production Zone (IMPZ) in Dubai stated that despite the economic downturn, the Middle East continued to witness steady growth, fuelled by interest from overseas, given that prices in the region’s print and packaging industries were some twenty to thirty percent lower than those found in the West, and at par with China. With its world class infrastructure and geographical position, and its encouragement of free enterprise and low government interference, the future looked very bright for the industry in the Gulf. Already 175 publishing companies and 184 graphic arts companies had set up in Dubai’s IMPZ, whilst some 2,000 similar companies and freelancers were operational in the area overall.

In a session on ‘Total quality management in the graphic arts industry (including statistical applications, six sigma), Prof Rajendrakumar Anayath, head Print Media Academy-Heidelberg India made an elaborate presentation covering various topics including: basic concepts of quality, history and chronological development of quality thought, quality controls (QC), quality assurance (QA), quality management system (QMS), cost of quality (COQ), continuous & continual improvement, introduction to lean printing, etc.

Overall, the event turned out to be successful for most of the exhibitors who were equally enthused to take part in the next event.