PRESS RELEASES

CLICK HERE FOR EXHIBITOR PUBLICITY SUBMISSIONS

The plastics industry has evolved into a high-tech multi-million dollar global industry that sees constant change through innovation and invention as production techniques and materials become more and more advanced. It is also very broad based, not only providing vast quantities of materials for packaging but also for many other industries including IT, automotive, stationery, furniture and medical.
 
Sustainability also plays a vital role and not only does the plastics industry make a significant contribution to our economy, it also expresses an innovative and responsible attitude towards positively contributing towards the environment with a ‘greening’ development that has seen recycling increase to approximately 150,000 tons per year and has spawned a number of new, highly profitable business opportunities.
 
Says Douw Steyn, Plastics Federation of South Africa (PFSA) Environmental Director, “The threat of Global warming is on everyone’s mind and everybody has a responsibility to reduce the amount of waste they create. We must recycle glass, plastic, paper, drink and food cans and must re-use as much as we can. Only by changing our lifestyles, can we have an impact on the amount of waste that goes to our already over-burdened landfill sites.”
 
Pro-Plas Africa Expo 2009 trade exhibition is co-located with Propak Africa, Print Expo, Pro-Label Africa and Food Pro, and will be held at the Expo Centre, NASREC from 20-23 October 2009.
 
The shows enjoy the active support and recognition of the most reputable institutions in the industry including the Institute of Packaging in South Africa, the Packaging Council of South Africa, the Printing Industries Federation South Africa (PIFSA), the Flexographic Technical Association of South Africa and the Plastics Federation of South Africa.
 
For more information, contact Michelle Bedser at Specialised Exhibitions at +27(0) 11 835-1565, or email michelle@specialised.com or dniemack@specialised.com, or go to www.propakafrica.co.za for online pre-registration.
 
ends
 

Latest technology for on demand printing, on show at Print Expo
 
The printing industry is at the forefront of technological change, one of the greatest areas of advancement being the growing use of digital technologies, but also technology advancements in the area of conventional printing.
 
In South Africa the printing industry encompasses printing, paper and newspapers and is spread over a wide spectrum of companies from small to very large print houses producing large runs and publishing of magazines as well as books. More than 35 000 people are employed in printing, which is estimated at being a R12-billion a year industry.
 
The only show of its kind in Southern Africa, Print Expo 2009 provides a dynamic platform to showcase the latest technology driven products and services to a wide, targeted audience. The focus of the show will be to highlight the latest international trends and innovations right across the board.
 
“Print Expo provides a platform to showcase an industry that is at the forefront of technological change,” says Michelle Bedser, Exhibition Manager at Specialised Exhibitions. “One of the greatest areas of advancement being the growing use of digital technologies, but also technology advancements in the area of conventional printing.”
 
In South Africa the printing industry encompasses printing, paper and newspapers. Naturally, a close relationship exists with the packaging industry. Printing is spread over a wide spectrum of companies from small to very large print houses producing large runs and publishing of magazines as well as books. Equipment ranges from simple one-colour machines to ultra sophisticated 8-colour presses operating in conventional printing and digital technologies. Print Expo will provide a dynamic platform to showcase these latest technology-driven products and services to a wide, targeted audience base.
 
Bytes Document Solutions will exhibit a wide range of the latest Xerox digital mono and colour presses and wide format printers at this year’s Print Expo 2009. In addition to the hardware technology - world leading software solutions from XMPie and Mphoto will also be on demonstration, featuring the XMPie Experience Theatre that was immensely popular with attendees of Drupa in Germany this year.
 
Bidvest company, Konica Minolta South Africa will be using the show as a platform to launch its new bizhub 1200 PRO series, a high end production printing system delivering previously unseen quality and modularity. The new series - which consists of the bizhub PRO 1200 and the bizhub PRO 1051 - features outstanding media flexibility and capacity paired with different accessory highlights that deliver value to the market. With Konica Minolta’s new production printing system, commercial printers, print for pay environments and large CRDs also benefit from new screening technologies and highest monthly duty cycles of up to three million pages.
 
Co-located with Print Expo, Pro-Label Africa is well positioned to highlight the requirements of the new Consumer Protection Act, which impacts on local manufacturers in the way they label products, particularly when labels carry warnings and instructions to consumers. Correct labelling will become critical, and visitors can learn more about this at Pro-Label Africa, which spotlights coding equipment, labels, label applicators, labelling machines and printing equipment, materials, scanning equipment, and substrates.
 
Manufacturer and distributor of quality liquid inks Hi-Tech Inks has identified a market opportunity for UV inks and has joined forces with Pulse Roll Label Products to gain a foothold in this market, and will be showcasing products at this year’s show. The company has also been working vigorously over the last few years on creating a waterbased product for Thermo-Plastic.
 
Also exhibiting, South African company, Pyrotec PackMark has been chosen by Markem-Imaje to provide service and technical expertise in the distribution of Markem-Imaje’s full range of coding and labelling equipment. 
 
Print Expo 2009 and Pro-Label Africa are co-located with Propak Africa, Pro-Plas Africa Expo and FoodPro trade exhibitions, which take place at the MTN Expo Centre, NASREC, Johannesburg from 20-23 October 2009.
 
The shows enjoy the active support and recognition of the most reputable institutions in the industry including the Institute of Packaging in South Africa, the Packaging Council of South Africa, the Printing Industries Federation South Africa (PIFSA), the Flexographic Technical Association of South Africa and the Plastics Federation of South Africa,
 
For more information, contact Michelle Bedser at Specialised Exhibitions at +27(0) 11 835-1565 or email michelle@specialised.com or dniemack@specialised.com or go to www.propakafrica.co.za for online pre-registration.
 
ends

Africa’s biggest plastics, packaging, food processing, print and labelling exhibition

At the MTN Expo Centre, NASREC, from 20-23 October, Africa’s biggest plastics, packaging, food processing, print and labelling exhibitions Pro-Plas Africa, Propak Africa and Print Expo will provide a stimulating forum for trading, sourcing of products and education - giving buyers leading-edge information on global trends, advancements in technology, product development and market updates.

"Although taking place amidst difficult economic conditions, we fully expect the events to be a success," says Michelle Bedser, Exhibition Manager at Specialised Exhibitions. "We’ve had an overwhelming response to the shows, and the timing, in October, means the shows are well positioned to springboard economic recovery into 2010 and the combined shows are set to be the most powerful marketing vehicle for the industries they represent."

"The shows provide an ideal platform for local and international exhibitors to network, exchange ideas and showcase their latest products, services, information and technological development trends," says Bedser.
Also represented at the show will be the Recovery Action Group, a PACSA initiative, with the objective of guiding visitors on the ways to waste minimisation, and the requirements and implications of the National Waste Act. The new Act places an onus on the packaging industry to accept extended producer responsibility (EPR), which places greater responsibility on producers to reduce, re-use, recycle and recover packaging.

For more information, contact Michelle Bedser at Specialised Exhibitions at +27 (0) 11 835 1565 or email michelle@specialised.com or dniemack@specialised.com

ends


Recession is official, but time to take action

For the first time since 1992 we are officially in recession. Right now we are in uncharted waters. No one knows what the future holds. As much as we would like, none of us can change the current economic situation. But what we can do is stop the negative rhetoric.

Successful businesses have a clear vision of their future beyond current economic difficulties, with a firm set of goals and a full understanding of business risks that have to be navigated.

"Taking a firm, hard look at your business and coming up with a realistic set of solutions is what balances business risk," says Gary Corin, Chief Operating Officer at Specialised Exhibitions. "If you take appropriate action, you can steer your business around this economic downturn and become a leaner, meaner, more competitive market player."

And one of the solutions is not cutting marketing budgets.

"It’s been proven many times that those who cut their marketing and advertising budgets during an economic downturn actually prolong the difficult business climate," says Corin. "Not only do they risk losing market share, but they also struggle to gain market share long after economic conditions have settled. Rather, you need to ensure that your marketing and advertising budgets are spent with a good ROI. Exhibitions provide this - putting you in front of your customers and prospective customers, and showcasing your latest products, services and solutions."

Propak Africa, Pro-Plas Africa and Print Expo, running at the MTN Expo Centre, NASREC, Johannesburg from 20-23 October, will provide a stimulating forum for trading, sourcing of products and education - giving buyers leading-edge information on global trends, advancements in technology, product development and market updates.

"Although taking place amidst difficult economic conditions, we fully expect the events to be a success," comments Exhibition Manager, Michelle Bedser. "We’ve had an overwhelming response to the shows, and the timing, in October, means the shows are well positioned to springboard economic recovery into 2010."

So, what impact has the global economic crisis had on the packaging, food processing, plastics and print industries?

According to industry analysts EP Resources through its global industry-wide survey "Economic Crisis – Impact on the Packaging Industry", sales projections show a continuing downward trend through 2009, but with the rate of decline easing and recovery starting in 2010. More than half of all packaging producers surveyed reported a capital expenditure freeze during 2009, with the resulting negative impact on equipment sales.

"Packaging sales in the US and Europe plummeted to record lows in the final quarter of 2008, as most manufacturers reported sales declines of up to 20%," says Corin. "Packaging producers are projecting negative growth throughout 2009, with some recovery predicted for 2010, and, yes, there is reduced capital investment."

"But selling hasn’t stopped, and products such as converting equipment at the top of the list, followed by printing presses (digital, offset, flexo and gravure), are still selling well. Other equipment purchases being budgeted for include labelling, prepress, CAD/CAM, inspection, filling and sealing, extrusion and molding machinery," he explains.

It’s interesting that during a time when the economy impacts a company, so does consumer opinion and preferences. A 2008 Datamonitor survey showed the majority of consumers across 15 countries agreed that contemporary packaging has become excessive. Ecological issues are firmly in the mainstream of society with over 75% of consumers stating that protecting the environment is important to them.

"Industry players need to look at eco-friendly sustainable packaging to meet consumer demand, " says Corin, "but these have to be carefully evaluated, as for every change to packaging there are both positive and negative consequences to be considered."

"New trends, developments and products are emerging, and these will be seen at Propak Africa."

"An example is the South African sandwich market, valued at R9-million per annum, which is expected to double by 2010. Local production has recently started of the newly launched fully biodegradable sandwich pack that enhances product freshness and shelf life, and the first time that certified sustainable cardboard is being used in South African food packaging."

Compared to the other major industries of the world, the food sector was relatively untouched by the global economic meltdown till recently. Now, many supermarkets are being forced to expand their portfolio of budget foods as the demand for premium, value-based and niche foods is on the wane.

Says Corin: "It’s interesting that new ideas come to the fore during crisis and the phenomenal rise in small size packs in other parts of the world could become an alternative for main stream purchases as consumers increasingly opt for ways to reduce the financial burden to some extent, offering new opportunity to the packaging industry."

Plastics has not escaped the economic downturn, but there are reports of plant expansions and many molding companies are using strategic acquisitions to diversify their business away from a heavy dependence on automotive and taking up opportunities in alternative growth areas such as the small engine, appliance, and electronics markets, and the medical products sector, including disposables and infusion and instrumentation components, which remain a staple of the molding industry.

"Pro-Plas Africa, Propak Africa and Print Expo play a vital role in these industries and are pivotal as we head towards economic recovery from 2010," says Bedser. "They provide a much-needed platform from which to promote the industry, and to showcase the latest in trends, products and services."

ProPlas Africa, Propak Africa and Print Expo enjoy the active support and recognition of the most reputable institutions in the industry including The Institute of Packaging in South Africa, The Packaging Council of South Africa, The Plastics Federation of South Africa, The Flexographic Technical Association of South Africa and the Printing Industries Federation South Africa (PIFSA).

For more information, contact Michelle Bedser at Specialised Exhibitions at +27 (0) 11 835 1565 or email michelle@specialised.com or dniemack@specialised.com

ends

Overwhelming response, floor space selling fast

Propak Africa 2009, co-locating with Food Pro, Print Expo and Pro-Plas Africa trade exhibitions, will be held at the MTN Expo Centre, NASREC, Johannesburg from 20-23 October 2009.

"We’ve had an overwhelming response to the shows and floor space is selling fast," says Michelle Bedser, Exhibition Manager at Specialised Exhibitions. "The combined shows are set to be the most powerful marketing vehicle for the industries they represent."

"96% of available space has already been sold in Packaging Hall 6 and more than half of all other available Hall space has been taken," continued Bedser. "And we’ve already exceeded sales levels achieved comparative to-date from all previous shows."

This is encouraging news at a time when the world faces immense economic challenges with global leaders grappling with economic recovery programmes. South Africa is currently better placed than many other countries due to its sound economic policies, but forecasts still point to a tough 2009 as the world knock-on effect begins to hit some local industries.

Although lower than forecast, local domestic output still expects growth of .8% in 2009, with reports that it could strengthen sharply to 3% next year and 4% in 2011. Government expenditure on infrastructure is budgeted at R787-billion over the next three years and the 2010 FIFA World Cup is also expected to have a positive effect on the economy.

Thousands of influential local and international decision makers are expected to visit the co-locating shows this year. In 2007, visitor numbers increased by 32% over the previous shows, totaling over 15,000 visitors who cited the benefits of visiting as "good networking opportunity", "meeting new suppliers", "comparing products under one roof", and "an enlightening and educating event". 93% felt that companies that had not participated had done themselves a disservice. This was feedback from independent market research conducted by Market Support Associates.

Of the visitors, 83% were decision makers in their companies, of these, 65% made decisions at the show to purchase within 6-12 months and 63% of decision makers had Capex and Consumables buying power.
"There was a much higher volume in the number of orders placed for machinery and equipment than previous shows, which also indicates the high level of success that exhibitors enjoyed," says Bedser. "Sales were made by exhibitors based across the country, not only Gauteng based companies, which was very satisfying."

It is estimated that machinery and equipment on display in 2007 totalled a value of over five hundred million Rands. Significantly, much of what was on show had never before been seen in South Africa.

"The shows provide an ideal platform for local and international exhibitors to network, exchange ideas and showcase their latest products, services, information and technological development trends," says Bedser.

"Propak Africa covers the full spectrum of the packaging industry including containers and components, end-of-line equipment, materials handling products, packaging and ancillary machinery, as well as packaging materials. Food processing equipment is showcased under Food Pro, such as bakery, confectionery, food and beverage processing, filtration and laboratory equipment, in addition to mixers and blenders, colourants and flavours."

Of the four primary raw materials - paper, plastics, metals and glass - paper yields the highest volumes, with plastics being the fastest growing and highest value of the packaging materials.

Although the basic function of packaging is to preserve and protect the pack contents, packaging, particularly in the retail market, has become a fascinating marketing tool that is used to promote and sell products, moving them from shelf-to-trolley.

Labelling will also be in the spotlight with focus on coding equipment, labels, label applicators, labelling machines and printing equipment, materials, scanning equipment, and substrates.

"Print Expo provides a platform to showcase an industry that is at the forefront of technological change," says Bedser. "One of the greatest areas of advancement being the growing use of digital technologies, but also technology advancements in the area of conventional printing."

In South Africa the printing industry encompasses printing, paper and newspapers. Naturally, a close relationship exists with the packaging industry. Printing is spread over a wide spectrum of companies from small to very large print houses producing large runs and publishing of magazines as well as books. Equipment ranges from simple one-colour machines to ultra sophisticated 8-colour presses operating in conventional printing and digital technologies. Print Expo will provide a dynamic platform to showcase these latest technology-driven products and services to a wide, targeted audience base.

Propak Africa 2009, Food Pro, Print Expo and Pro-Plas Africa enjoy the active support and recognition of the most reputable institutions in the industry including the Institute of Packaging in South Africa, the Packaging Council of South Africa, the Printing Industries Federation South Africa (PIFSA), the Flexographic Technical Association of South Africa and the Plastics Federation of South Africa.

ends


Prime positioning for packaging, food processing, plastics, print and labelling shows

A decision to bring forward the exhibition dates for co-locating shows Propak Africa, Pro-Plas Africa, Print Expo and Pro-Label ahead of the busy 2010 world cup soccer schedule ensures prime positioning and an improved business platform for the packaging, food processing, plastics, print and labelling industries.

Brought forward from March 2010, the exhibitions will now be held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre from 20-23 October 2009, facilitating business networking and product sales ahead of the 2010 frenzy of activity.

"We see this as a positive move," says John Knocker, Director, Specialised Exhibitions, organisers of the shows. "Not only will the venue have been significantly refurbished and upgraded inside and out – due to its selection as the 2010 World Cup media centre - but October is also positioned at a prime time to conduct business prior to the final surge of business into the 2010 period."

Michelle Bedser, Propak Africa Exhibition Manager, adds: "The combined shows are set to be the most powerful marketing vehicle for the industries they represent. Floor space sales are going well with high interest from local and international companies, with many companies having booked space immediately after their participation in 2007."

"The 2007 shows provided an extremely positive investment climate with many exhibitors reporting a high number of promising contacts and successful deals concluded," says Bedser, "and again, in 2009, visitors will be exposed to the latest in global trends and technology developments, as well as be able to source the latest in new products, whilst enjoying the superb networking opportunity."

Propak Africa 2009 enjoys the active support and recognition of the most reputable institutions in the industry including The Institute of Packaging in South Africa, The Packaging Council of South Africa, The Plastics Federation of South Africa, The Flexographic Technical Association of South Africa and the Printing Industries Federation South Africa (PIFSA).

ends