The launch edition of Labelexpo Southeast Asia –
the biggest label and package printing event in the region – has exceeded all
expectations, with 7,934 attendees from 62 countries flocking to BITEC in
Bangkok, Thailand for the three day show from 10-12 May. Exhibitor rebookings
for the next edition in 2020 already stand at 42 percent – the highest
following a Labelexpo event launch to date.
Aimed at connecting printers/converters, brand
owners, label and package printing technicians, buyers and design specialists,
the event attracted strong delegations from across Thailand, Indonesia, Japan,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, plus Australasia.
Enthusiastically supported by the Thai Department of Industrial Promotion (DIP)
under the Minister of Industry, and the Thailand Screen Print and Graphic
Imaging Association (TSGA), Labelexpo Southeast Asia 2018 covered over 4,100sqm
and hosted exhibitors from 174 of the global industry’s principal manufacturers
and suppliers. These included Bobst, Epson, Flint Group, GEW, HP, Konica
Minolta, Lintec, Mark Andy, Nilpeter, Omet, UPM Raflatac, Xeikon, Yupo
Corporation and Zhejiang Weigang Machinery Co. Almost a quarter of these were
exhibiting at Labelexpo for the first time including Berli Jucker, Flying Man
Assembly Automation, IGS Asia Pacific, Navitas Vision Solution, Ojitac, PMC
Label Materials, Press Systems, Techno Global Graphics and Tsukatani Hamono
Manufacturing.
Machinery on display on the buzzing show floor
included HP Indigo’s recently launched WS6900 digital press, Omet’s iFlex press
with 10 UV flexo colors and a 370mm (14in) web width, Nilpeter’s FA-line press,
Nagase Thailand’s AWP-DEW water washable flexo plate system featuring Clean
Transfer Technology, BST eltromat Southeast Asia showcasing systems from the
TubeScan range and Zhejiang Weigang Machinery’s flexo press, ZJR-330. Other
demonstrations included Xeikon’s 3300 roll 2 roll configuration and high
quality production of self-adhesive and heat-transfer labels, ThermoFlex’s
ThermoFlexX 30, supporting plate sizes up to 635 x 762 mm and 3,94 mm thick,
Siegwerk’s latest range of reliable and user-friendly solutions for narrow web
applications, Konica Minolta’s digital label printer, the AccurioLabel 190,
Tokyo Ink Group’s new line of UV inks and UV flexo inks, and AVT’s 100% print
inspection products Helios S Turbo+ and Helios Turbo HD+ which include inline
and offline inspection, color monitoring and barcode verification.
Running alongside the main exhibition was a two-day
expert-led conference program, developed in line with feedback from printers in
Southeast Asia. These topical learning sessions proved extremely popular with
label and packaging printers, brand owners and designers. The opening session
on 10 May was delivered by Harit Hiranyaphinant, deputy managing director of
Copack Co. and TSGA member, who gave an overview of the label printing industry
in Thailand and how to capture the future of the industry. Later sessions
featured extremely well-received presentations from Brenton Barrett, president
Asia Pacific of Multi-Color Corporation, who looked at market trends in
Southeast Asia and globally; and Ryan Shaw, creative director Southeast Asia of
Landor, who examined business models and 360 degree design thinking. A CEO
printer panel moderated by James Quirk, group managing editor of Labels &
Labeling, featured panelists including Piyapong Wongvorakul, managing director
Trisan Printing (Thailand); Peter Woods, director and COO Southeast Asia QLM
Label Makers (Malaysia); Adrian Pratiwhiharja, president and director PT
Interflex Sejahtera Perdana, and Brenton Barrett.
Another show highlight was the sold-out Label
Academy workshop covering shrink sleeve technology, which took place on the
final day of the show. Moderated by Andy Thomas-Emans, strategic director
Labelexpo, topics covered included design and origination, inks, substrates,
and converting and application technology. The workshop ended with a
presentation on quality control and fault finding by one of the global
industry’s leading shrink sleeve experts, Dr Séamus Lafferty, president of
Barry Wehmiller company Accraply.
Jade Grace, project director for Labelexpo
Southeast Asia said: “We are absolutely delighted with the success of our very
first Labelexpo Southeast Asia, which, as our most successful show launch to
date, has exceeded all expectations. Visitor feedback has been excellent, with
major sales deals being closed on-site and the high calibre of buyers at the
show highlighted as invaluable for sourcing new contacts and partners who will
be able to help printers improve profitability, quality and efficiency in order
to stay one step ahead of their competitors.”
Dr. Kittichote Supakumnerd, Engineer at the
Division of Innovation and Industrial Technology Development, Ministry of
Industry in Thailand, said: “The Ministry of Industry extends their
congratulations to the success of the Labelexpo Southeast Asia in Bangkok and
recognize the great benefits this trade exhibition can bring to Thailand with
the introduction of new technologies, materials and other innovations for
labeling, printing and packaging applications.
“It is estimated that over 1 billion Baht of trade
will be conducted as a result of the event in Bangkok and this will provide an
even greater multiple effect for the investing businesses and the support
industries for the event and the industry here in Thailand.
The attendance to the event came from throughout
Asia most notably from Japan, China, India, Malaysia and Singapore. It was a
truly international event that will bring continued advancements to the
industries it serves in Thailand and throughout the region.
“The exhibition and co-located conferences also
help develop all areas of industry from SMEs to large scale export driven
manufacturers, and we look forward to supporting and welcoming the return of
Labelexpo Southeast Asia in May 2020.”
Chaiwat Hansomwong, Chairman of Thai SMEs Council
agreed: “I would like to thank Labelexpo for inviting us to join the opening
ceremony of Labelexpo Southeast Asia in Bangkok. Labelexpo is the international
printing trade fair which gathers printing technology and innovation under one
single roof of the label industry. That’s why almost all the leading products
and brand suppliers as well as printing machine producers are interested in
showcasing their new technologies at Labelexpo Southeast Asia in Bangkok. This
success was demonstrated by the number of visitors from across Thailand and
Southeast Asia. I hope that Labelexpo Southeast Asia in Bangkok in 2020 will
continue to present new innovations and technology, and successfully build up
this region as a label printing technology hub.”
Ms Grace added: “This success bodes extremely well
for future editions of the show. Thailand has proved to be the perfect
location, in a region that is emerging as one of the world’s fastest growing
manufacturing hubs and consumer markets, and we are grateful for the Thai
Government’s and TSGA’s unwavering support in getting Labelexpo Southeast Asia
off the ground.
“Given the success of this launch edition, it is poised
to be a game changer for the region’s printers and has great potential to
become one of our largest Labelexpo events. Floor bookings for our 2020 edition
are already flooding in – the fastest ever for a Labelexpo show. Thank you to
everyone involved and we look forward to returning to Bangkok in two years’
time. Labelexpo Southeast Asia really has arrived.”
