PROPAK ASIA 2009
17-20 JUNE 2009 BITEC, BANGKOK, THAILAND
ShowDaily THE 16TH INTERNATIONAL PROCESSING PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY EVENT FOR ASIA THE 17TH INTERNATIONAL PROCESSING PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY EVENT FOR ASIA
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FRIdAy June 19, 2009
NO. OF VISITORS
National Pavilions:
a Show of Strength They adorn ProPak asia with a riot of national colours, emblems, flags – and an exuberance that is felt by all. By Tjut Rostina, Joson Ng, eileen Chan
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here are in total, 39 countries representing 785 companies participating in this year’s packaging extravaganza, ProPak Asia 2009. But for a concentrated show of solidarity, country pavilions must surely be the way to go. This year’s event plays host to a total of seven national pavilions. New kids on the block are Japan and Germany, while the Asian pavilions are considered veterans of the show.
JAPAn RISInG
7 ,3 74 on dAy 2, June 18
HIGHLIGHTS friday, June 19 8.00am – 4.30pm food innovation asia Conference 2009 MR 214 – 221 9.00am – 3.00pm food innovation Contest MR 218 – 219 9.00am – 6.00pm Brewers Conference Bangkok 2009: exploring The Sustainability of The asia Pacific Brewing industry Grand Hall 201 8.30am – 4.30pm Packaging & Sustainability: Be Ready for european Markets Grand Hall 202 1.00pm – 4.30pm PharmaTech Seminar: Roles of Pharmacists in Drug Product Selection & Substitution MR 222 – 223
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STORAGE & HANDLING
First-timer Japan dominates the show floor with its 182 sq m of concerted presence. As one of the largest of national pavilions, they have setup shop for one reason and one alone: They have their sights set on the South-east Asia region. When asked, M Amano, secretary general of the Japan Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Association (JPMMA) says: “Thailand is famous for food packaging. They are up there with the US and South Korea – the big boys in this industry.” In light of the global economic situation, the association is helping its members in two ways. Firstly, to identify areas of growth and places to setup factories. The association says that locally assembled and manufactured machines are the way to go, as they are more competitive in terms of pricing. Another way of assisting its members comes as it showcases the best in Japanese packaging machineries through events like ProPak Asia.
cHInA’S PReSence From hollow moulding machines to hydraulicpressure mini bottling machines, the China pavilion continues to draw a ready crowd with its extensive range of processing and packaging machines – all most competitively priced. In total, 10 different companies from mainland China are here in ProPak Asia 2009 looking for greater co-operation and sales opportunities in the region. Says Steven Wang, an engineer from the Shanghai Nanhua Transducer Manufacture (SNTM): “We have a lot of good
customers here in Thailand and we take this opportunity to keep in touch with them. Our regular big customers like Danone, Coca-Cola and Nestlé have come here to see us already.” SNTM manufactures a range of aseptic as well as general filling machines for the beverage industry. Occupying some 60 sq m, Guangzhou Vanta Packing Machinery’s booth is the largest in the Chinese contingent. “This is the second time we are at ProPak. Last year, we took 12 sq m, but this year as we brought our Vanta rotary hot-melt labeller, we took a larger booth,” says Daniel Tao, sales manager of the company. With trade enquiries coming in from countries such as Nepal, Singapore and India, Mr Tao is quick to credit the attention to its “larger booth that has brought added impact.”
TAIwAn VenTuReS Hon Chuan FD Packaging has a booth located within the Taiwan national pavilion. “ProPak Asia is a useful platform if you want to showcase new products or, have expansion plans,” says Steven Lai, the MD of the company. Mr Lai is happy with the turn-out so far. He says: “We had quite a number of visitors to our booth in the afternoon on the first day. It was a fruitful day as we identified a number of potential buyers.”
SInGAPoRe ReAcHeS ouT Seven companies form the team Singapore contingent to the event. Organised by the Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation (SMA) and supported by IE Singapore, this is its fifth year of participation. “This show is really for Singapore companies to reach out to the market with their products and services, as well as, showcase their technology. It is also an opportunity for them to establish new contacts and renew ties with their customers in Thailand,” says Dennis Toh, senior manager for international trade development in SMA. Newbies to the show are Beacons Technology and CM Industries. Says Michael Lim, Beacons’ sales director: “We were here as visitors last year, and we realised that there were a lot of equipment vendors, especially in the pharmaceutical and food business. So far, we have received enquiries from visitors and even exhibitors, which is an encouraging start.” Despite the global economic downturn, the response from visitors and exhibitors alike has been positive, says Mr Toh, with companies receiving enquiries from potential buyers on their products and services just after the first day. n