The 2017 edition of Gulf Print and Pack ended on a high note as more than 50 industry-grade machines were sold over the course of event. The more than 200 exhibitors that participated at the region's premier technology show for commercial and package printers reported big business and high levels of interest from visitors who attended this year. Close to AED30 million worth of machines were sold during the show, with big industry players Xerox, Konica Minolta, Canon, Kodak, Giffin and Heidelberg reporting that good quality leads are in the pipeline and will be pursued in the next few weeks. "We are delighted to have received such positive feedback from both exhibitors and visitors who came to the show this year. This is a further testament to the growth prospects of the commercial and package printing sector in this part of the world, and further cement's the UAE's position as a vital hub that promotes business in this still developing industry throughout the region," said Lisa Milburn, managing director, Gulf Print and Pack 2017. A very strong international delegation from over 110 countries, as well as from emerging markets such as Iran whose contingent included SPS Complex, a producer of packaging films; fiber-based packaging specialist Caspian; label company Irandar and Chakavak Printing House, a producer of award-winning holograms. "The delegation was joined by Bahram Mehradifar, director of security, Ministry of Industry, Mines and Commerce (Tehran sector), who toured the event to see the technology, products and services on show," added Milburn. UPEX exhibitor Paradowsk summed up the comments of fellow used-machinery exhibitors when Lutz Redmann, managing director, said how satisfied he was with visitor levels and more importantly visitor quality during the show. Celebrating 45 years in the used machinery industry Paradowski is no newcomer to exhibiting and was particularly pleased by the wide geographic area from which visitors had traveled. "Good quality visitors from day one" quoted specialist dealer Pre Press Boulevard from the Netherlands. They were particularly pleased with the level of interest they had in their used digital machines. Konica, Minolta, Canon and Ricoh being the most sought after brands. They trade in used CTP equipment too, and have had strong interest in spare parts and support in this sector. At the finishing end of the spectrum UK dealer Bindery Machinery Services reported the sale of a half million pound Muller Martini Bolero perfect binding line to a Saudi Arabian customer whilst Nyland Graphics added to their show success by agreeing a deal for a further Muller Martini Saddle Stitcher to their customer Traffic Media, based in Dubai. Alexander Najem, machinery division manager, Giffin Graphics says there is a lot of potential for growth, especially in the printing side of their business. "Only a measly one per cent of printers throughout the MENA region have adopted digital printing solutions, leaving a massive 99 per cent as potential customers for companies like ours." With optimism high among industry stakeholders, organizers announced the return of Gulf Print and Pack in Dubai on April 15-18, 2019 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. "We've had a fantastic show this year and are looking forward to welcoming more exhibitors and visitors in our next edition," Milburn noted. — SG
