Folding cartons account for over 80 percent of the printed products in the Middle East, with most produced for the local markets. Competition between printing press manufacturers is stiff in these growth markets. Heidelberg has installed packaging solutions at various businesses in this region.
Pakistan
Pakistan Printing Equipment Co. Pvt. Ltd (PPECL), Heidelberg’s representative in Pakistan, installed a complete production line at the packaging printing company PrintKraft (Private) Limited in Faisalabad, Pakistan. The bundle included the Speedmaster XL 75-6+L UV from the new 2020 generation and a Suprasetter A 106 CtP system. The machines are fully integrated via the Prinect workflow and equipped with the Prinect Axis Control colour measurement system for stable print colour management. The installation is the first of its kind in Pakistan’s Punjab province. PrintKraft moved into a new building specifically for this in a strong strategic location in a special economic zone of Faisalabad, giving it a base in one of Pakistan’s largest cities. The former print shop, which also uses Heidelberg presses for its production needs, will remain at the old location.
‘We see enormous potential in packaging printing thanks to a rapidly growing manufacturing industry and a beneficial economic policy,’ explained Zain Sadiq, CEO of PrintKraft. ‘Our goal is to become a leading player in the packaging industry with high-quality and innovative solutions. As a first step, our plan is to offer folding cartons for the textile, pharmaceutical, food, and FMCG industries. We once again chose Heidelberg as a technology partner for this, and have confidence in its high quality and good service.’
The installation took place during the difficult period of the pandemic. ‘The PPECL service engineers brought a great deal of expertise to the task and trained our team in how to produce various materials on the new printing press so that we can have a high level of flexibility,’ confirmed Fuzail Arif, Manager Operations at PrintKraft. Their experience so far has been extremely positive: the ease of use and high level of automation have enabled PrintKraft to shorten its makeready times and consequently its delivery times, while the data provided by the Prinect workflow ensures high transparency. The company uses Saphira blankets, coatings and fountain solutions, that are optimally coordinated to the press. The overall effect is to enable sustainable production, helping PrintKraft to maintain its strong focus on social and ecological responsibility.
Saudi Arabia
‘Even before the coronavirus pandemic, we had decided on a new Speedmaster XL 106 six-colour press with UV coating in order to boost our productivity in folding carton production,’ explained Khalifa Al Zahid, General Manager of the printing company Shater Al-Ebtekar. Another reason for the investment was the increased demand for spot colours and spot coatings with UV. What clinched the deal was the company’s prior good experience with Heidelberg Saudi Arabia and the fast service. There are another five Speedmaster CD 102 presses with different technology in the company’s press room.
Shater Al-Ebtekar was founded in 1979 and its 180 employees in Dammam in Saudi Arabia mainly produce folding cartons for the local markets in the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Egypt. Its biggest customers are in the food industry. It processes around 12,000 metric tons of cardboard each month.
The new Speedmaster XL 106 replaces an older Speedmaster CD 102. ‘The new press fully met all of our expectations – with high quality, shorter makeready times and ease of use. The high level of automation meant we could significantly increase productivity,’ confirmed Khalifa Al Zahid.
The new printing press was installed by Heidelberg Saudi Arabia during the pandemic. The demand for packaging for home deliveries rose again during this time, enabling the company to expand this market and develop an effective and profitable business. The next step is to establish an MIS system with Prinect for even greater efficiency and a high level of transparency.
Heidelberg Graphic Systems Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd
+27 (0) 86 142 4756
warren.jones@heidelberg.com
www.heidelberg.com/za
