PRESSIdeas October 2020 Issue

20 vol-20 Issue- 10 October 2020

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Vol.20 Issue 10, 2020

Heidelberg Innovation Week.........................04 Interview with DKSH’s Hanno & Suhas......12 Interview with Ms. Pavla of SOMA...............16 Closing the Gap with PROSPER....................22 A Value Driven Company, KL..........................26

A monthly Publication from PRESSIdeas Publishing Pvt. Ltd.

Inline Embellishment........................................28 KL HI Tech...............................................................32 Xeikon adds to Panther....................................38

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Contents FROM THE EDITORS’ DESK..............................................................................................................................................................................................................3 Heidelberg Innovation Week attracts high customer interest..........................................................................................................................................4 Mudrica: Reclaiming the lost 70% sales in 3 months ..........................................................................................................................................................6 Future Schoolz is first in India to receive ICC Honorary Membership............................................................................................................................7 Drupa cancellations continue as DuPont Image Solutions too withdraws..................................................................................................................7 RMGT withdraws from drupa .......................................................................................................................................................................................................7 Heidelberg holds graphic design and printing technology championships..............................................................................................................8 Reduce file size 14x & process PDFs 24x faster with ReadyPDF.................................................................................................................................... 10 Sistrade launches New Version V.12.7..................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 DKSH: Spearheading integrated Market Expansion Services........................................................................................................................................ 12

Jasmeet D. Editor & Publisher (jasmeet@pressideas.com) Vineet K G. Associate Editor (vineetkg@pressideas.com) Jasvinder S. Sub-Editor (jasvinder@pressideas.com)

RSA releases new software ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 14 MMS elects Management Committee during 56th AGM................................................................................................................................................ 15 Another industry major EFI decides to pull out of drupa 2021..................................................................................................................................... 15 Ms. Pavla Kusa – SOMA Engineering, in an exclusive talk with PRESSIdeas.............................................................................................................. 16 Singapore Press Holdings wins big at ADM awards 2020............................................................................................................................................... 18 Indian Media Leaders eSummit ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Scalability with Vpress Coreprint Web to Print system .................................................................................................................................................... 20 KODAK PROSPER ULTRA 520 Press: Closing the Gap......................................................................................................................................................... 22 Epson achieves landmark 50 million EcoTank printer sale mark................................................................................................................................... 24 Amazon commits spending $400 million with Kornit Digital over next five years................................................................................................ 24 Kornit Digital appoints Ilan Elad as President of Asia-Pacific division......................................................................................................................... 25

Jacob George Marketing and Sales (jacob@pressideas.com) M.S. Mukundan Advertising and Sales Southern and Western India (aims@pressideas.com) Graphic Designer Anil Kumar

HP’s Project Smile for Vistara’s brave cabin crew................................................................................................................................................................ 25 Kumar Labels: A values driven company............................................................................................................................................................................... 26 Inline embellishment - in many ways amazing and amazingly simple...................................................................................................................... 28 Inaugural Food Contact Asia conference attracts international audience................................................................................................................ 31 KL HI TECH designs and produces Punjab government’s Smart Ration Card.......................................................................................................... 32 Domino unveils the N730i digital label press...................................................................................................................................................................... 34 UPM Raflatac to boost matrix and liner recycling.............................................................................................................................................................. 35 UV Graphic Technologies scores a hat trick of repeat orders for Ultraflex UFO....................................................................................................... 36 YesGo inaugurates Mumbai branch........................................................................................................................................................................................ 37 Xeikon adds high-end label press to Panther portfolio................................................................................................................................................... 38

Networking/ Hardware Consultant Sukhdeep Singh USA Correspondents Tensi M., Preeti European Correspondent Rimi, Yadhu Morphine

Nuvae and Constantia launch EcoLamPlus.......................................................................................................................................................................... 39 VINSAK installs Lombardi Synchroline at Aquarius Printing Press of UAE................................................................................................................. 39 Scodix launches expanded digital enhancement portfolio of 6 new presses ........................................................................................................ 40

Production Thomas K Alex

Durst celebrates 100th Tau RSC platform press installation........................................................................................................................................... 41 Cosmo Films launches BOPP clear thermal lamination film with Antimicrobial properties .............................................................................. 41 XAAR sets vision for the future.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 42 Durst acquires majority stake in Vanguard Digital Printing............................................................................................................................................ 43

PRESSIdeas October 2020 Vol. 20, Issue 10 Printed by Jacob George and published by Jasmeet Singh on behalf of PRESSIdeas Publishing Pvt Ltd. Printed in India at Hues and Colors 363, Industrial Focal Point, Phase-IX Mohali, and published at PRESSIdeas, 437-A 1st Floor, Industrial Area, Phase-2 Chandigarh-160002 (India) Every effort has been made to ensure that credits accurately comply with information supplied.

All material supplied is compiled from sources believed to be reliable or solely an opinion of the authors. PRESSIdeas is not responsible for any steps taken based on the information provided herewith.

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FROM THE EDITORS’ DESK Dear Readers, Values have been the guiding force for this labels specialist company which recently accomplished a rare feat of setting up a full functional factory at Goa – done remotely during the Covid-19 hard times.

PRESSIdeas talks with founder Anuj Bhargava on this achievement and more about the company, Kumar Labels.

Inline embellishments are in many ways amazing and amazingly simple. To know about cost-efficient finishing options of Digital modules read the informative article by Dieter Finna.

High level of customer interest was generated at Innovation Week

by Heidelberg which offered a positive assessment through the five days of the event. Several thousand registrations from more than 100 countries, several hundred one-to-one discussions arranged with decision-makers, and around 100,000 hits on videos – that is the upshot of the five-day Innovation Week held by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg). This online event, unprecedented in the industry, just finished. Taking “Unfold your potential” as its slogan, it focused on transferring knowledge relating to the urgent issues in the sector.

Also, WorldSkills Germany, the competition of the best up-and-coming young professionals in graphic design and printing technology was held in the High Performance Center for Printing in Heidelberg’s Print Media Center in Wiesloch-Walldorf.

In the latest technology launches and upgrades, Solimar Systems’ ReadyPDF reduces Test File size nearly 14 x and processes PDFs 24 x faster. Sistrade has launched new version of its MIS|ERP software V.12.7. that simplifies, accelerates and improves production processes. Rochester Software Associates (RSA) released its software for flexible workflow during PRINTING United Digital Experience held online recently. Xeikon has introduced a 7-colour UV inkjet label press, PX30000 – a high-end label press addition to its Panther portfolio.

Scodix has launched expanded digital enhancement portfolio of 6 new presses. Cosmo Films launched BOPP clear thermal lamination film

with Antimicrobial properties.

Randy Vandagriff, President, Digital Print, Kodak explains how KODAK PROSPER ULTRA 520 Press, enabled by ULTRASTREAM Technology, is redefining inkjet possibilities in terms of productivity, output quality, flexibility and customization. In short, how it closes the gap with offset printing process – the historical benchmark for quality, paper choice and operating cost.

In our exclusive interviews, we have this time, DKSH’s Hanno Elbraechter, Head Business Unit Technology, Member of Executive Committee and Suhas Kulkarni, General Manager, Business Development. The interview is presented with the title, “DKSH: Spearheading integrated Market Expansion Service”. Then we have Ms. Pavla Kusa – SOMA Engineering in another exclusive talk with PRESSIdeas. P Srinivas Rao, Chairman and CEO, KLHT, speaks about the details of their recent Smart Ration Card Project for the Punjab State Government.

On the installations front, read how Web-to-print platform from Vpress empowers Apogee to pivot and prosper. Amazon has committed spending $400 million with Kornit Digital over next five years and Epson has crossed the landmark of 50 million sales for its EcoTank printer. The high-capacity ink tank printers contribute to over 160,000 tonnes reduction in CO2 emission. UV Graphic Technologies has scored a hat trick of repeat orders for Ultraflex UFO. VINSAK has installed Lombardi Synchroline at Aquarius Printing Press of UAE. Durst has installed the 100th Tau RSC platform press.

New appointments include Ilan Elad as new President of Asia-Pacific division of Kornit Digital.

Find all this, along with stories on installations, technologies, events, awards, acquisitions, appointments and much more in this October Issue of PRESSIdeas.

- Jasvinder Singh, Sub-editor

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Heidelberg Innovation Week attracts high customer interest High level of customer interest was generated at Innovation Week by Heidelberg which offered a positive assessment through the five days of the event.

Several thousand registrations from more than 100 countries, several hundred one-to-one discussions arranged with decision-makers, and around 100,000 hits on videos – that is the upshot of the five-day Innovation Week held by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg). This online event, unprecedented in the industry, just finished. Taking “Unfold your potential” as its slogan, it focused on transferring knowledge relating to the urgent issues in the sector.

With product presentations on its latest highlights, innovation talks, and personal discussions via video chat, Heidelberg provided a comprehensive overview of its offerings in the commercial, label, and packaging segments.

“The feedback we have received so far from participants and our partners has been truly overwhelming,” says Ludwig Allgoewer, Head of Global Sales and Marketing at Heidelberg. “The participants praised the format and the content presented.” The combination of short, professionally produced videos and innovation talks with the option of follow-up live chats in which the content presented could be discussed in more detail with around 300 Heidelberg experts from around the world went down well with the participants. “As a result, Heidelberg was able to register specialist customer contacts on a similar scale to an international trade show,” Allgoewer continued. “We are confident that the numerous customer discussions will also generate business contracts in the near future.”

End-to-end production in the spotlight At the heart of all the presentations was the optimization of the entire process in offset and digital printing, all the way through to end-to-end production.

This is based on the enhanced Push to Stop technology with all its facets, including automatic optimization of job sequences and navigated printing, accompanied by user-friendliness for operators thanks to easy-to-understand user interfaces, all of which – combined with “integrated intelligence” – enables highly productive operations with fewer staff and skilled personnel. Heidelberg also provided supplementary information about offerings in the

Key Notes : > Specialist contacts on a similar scale to an international trade show. > Participants praise combination of format and content. > Digital customer discussions promote investment activity in challenging times

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How to engage in successful customer discussions in challenging times – Heidelberg offers a positive assessment of the recently finished virtual Innovation Week.

pressideas/ commercial printing

fields of Prinect workflow, consumables, and contract business. This did not focus on presenting individual product functions, but rather on responding to the most urgent customer requirements in the respective market segments.

“The priority is no longer simply achieving the highest possible printing speed – instead we aim to make the entire process as efficient as possible. Boosting productivity offers the greatest earnings capacity for industrial print shops. Digitization is key to this – and that is precisely what we demonstrated at Innovation Week,” says Heidelberg CEO Rainer Hundsdörfer. “The response to our Innovation Week underlines how it is possible to use digital formats to successfully contact customers and get them excited about

innovations, even in the middle of a global pandemic.”

All the content and videos from Innovation

Week, much of it for download, continues to be available for all registered customers and other interested parties. Registration is also possible after the event.

Mudrica: Reclaiming the lost 70% sales in 3 months With LEAN manufacturing techniques, self-reliance in machine maintenance and many other measures, the Vijayawada printer reverses the adverse business tide.

“Like many other organizations, we could not run our printing press for three to four months due to the onset of Covid-19,” says S.Krupakar Rao of Vijayawada based Mudrica. In June, they could achieve only 30% of sales, as compared to the previous year. Not being able to pay rent or salaries on time, they decided to step away from the traditional and act differently. The decision resulted in recovering their sales figures fully

by September. This was made possible by the able guidance and inputs from LEAN expert, Mr. V.Rajaraman. “You should not do anything that is not going to benefit the Customer, Employees or the Organization, and look for Value in whatever you do,” suggested Rajaraman while he refocused

Mudrica’s business.

He further guided Mudrica by implementing SWOT analysis and 5S which, along with active participation from their customers and staff resulted in improved performance.

During this period, they refurbished their equipments and also applied LEAN manufacturing techniques. “We created a separate division for Digital Printing and started offering ‘On Demand-Book Printing’ for printing of “One copy to 100 copies” at a very affordable price. The timing of this product matched with the current market requirement,” reveals Krupakar.

“Our long association with industry leader M/s. Pragati Offset – Hyderabad, has also

played a major role in our transformation.

Mr. Narendra Paruchuri provided technical and management tips during these troubled times,” he adds.

Krupakar thinks that additional investment in new equipment, reduction of prices, or borrowing funds was not a pragmatic option. To realize the turnaround goal, they chiefly focused on: meeting customer needs; improving employee engagement; reducing wastage; decreasing cycle time; collecting outstanding payments; achieving self-sufficiency in machine maintenance; refurbishing machines; improving billing and collection procedures; reducing cost in all activities including purchases; doing ABC analysis in all functional areas; and improving planning and implementation. “We are sharing this information for the benefit of all. We solicit your valuable co-operation and suggestions,” concludes Krupakar as he also urges fellow industry people to contribute in following direction: - -

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clearing suppliers’ outstanding to help them in these testing times. approaching our customers seeking their cooperation for clearing our payments. collectively requesting Govt. organizations and large institutions to clear payments.

pressideas/ commercial printing

Future Schoolz is first in India to receive ICC Honorary Membership Future Schoolz is first Indian company to have been inducted by International Color Consortium (ICC) as an honorary member. “We regard this as an encouraging recognition to our commitment towards industry and our efforts to upgrade technology standards within the print and packaging segment,” says Kulakkada Pradeep, CEO, Future Schoolz.

In the recent past, Future Schoolz also became member of Ghent Working Group, CIP4 consortium, Active and Intelligent Packaging Industries Association (AIPIA).

“We are humbled to do more for the industry, will be taking up India specific colour profiling issues in the subcommittees of ICC. We are keen to contribute to the development and updation of various standards that

govern our industry and specifically in colour reproduction,” says Kulakkada Pradeep.

The International Color Consortium was established in 1993 by eight industry vendors for the purpose of creating, promoting and encouraging the standardization and evolution of an open, vendor-neutral, cross-platform colour management system architecture and components. The outcome of this co-operation was the development of the ICC profile specification.

The intent of the International Color Consortium profile format is to provide a cross-platform device profile format. Device profiles can be used to translate colour data created on one device into another device’s native colour space. The acceptance of this format by operating system vendors allows

end users to transparently move profiles and images with embedded profiles between different operating systems. This permits tremendous flexibility to both users and vendors. For example, it allows users to be sure that their image will retain its colour fidelity when moved between systems and applications. Furthermore, it allows a printer manufacturer to create a single profile for multiple operating systems.

Drupa cancellations continue as DuPont Image Solutions too withdraws The continuing uncertainty of the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced another participant to cancel its drupa participation.

After leading industry players of the likes of Heidelberg, Kodak, EFI, RMGT, Komori, Xerox and Bobst, another big name DuPont Image Solutions too has decided to withdraw from drupa 2021. The company has cited the care and protection of its employees, partners and colleagues as its core principle

that guides it to prioritize safety above all else.

Drupa has been and will continue to be a key printing industry event at which DuPont Image Solutions has historically been an active supporter and enthusiastic participant.

In light of the continuing threat posed

by COVID-19, DuPont Image Solutions

plans to find creative new ways to connect virtually and responsibly in order to advance its relationships and share the technical innovations found throughout its DuPont Cyrel and DuPont Artistri product lines.

RMGT withdraws from drupa Having explored all possibilities of participation till the last moments, RYOBI MHI Graphic Technology (RMGT) finally pulled out of drupa 2021. “Unforeseeable Covid-19

pandemic situation restricts our effort in this matter and forces us to reach to a decision to withdraw our participation in Drupa 2021,” says the company.

“We hope for the situation to improve in the time to follow and please be rest assured that RMGT as always is in a positive position to stand up and support their customers and help them to rebound from this situation to the best of their capabilities,” it further said.

participation, RMGT would seek alternative opportunities to engage with its customers and show the latest developments together with their distributors and agents.

RMGT has always been a major contributor in introducing newer and more efficient technologies into the printing industry. For drupa, it had planned to exhibit and introduce its latest product developments. However, with the decision to cancel its drupa

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Heidelberg holds graphic design and printing technology championships WorldSkills Germany, the competition of the best up-and-coming young professionals in graphic design and printing technology was held in the High Performance Center for Printing in Heidelberg’s Print Media Center in Wiesloch-Walldorf.

At the German championships held from October 19 to 22, 2020, in the Print Media Center of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) in WieslochWalldorf, twelve skilled workers demonstrated their high level of knowledge. Six media designers and six print media technologists took on the challenging competition tasks.

Luisa Kewitz, who completed her vocational training at bfw tailor-made communication GmbH in Neustadt an der Weinstraße, ultimately secured the gold medal in the graphic design discipline. Hendrik den Ouden, who works at Heidelberg in Wiesloch-Walldorf, was the winner in the printing technology discipline.

“The competitors’ performance has been good to very good across the board. We noticed that all of them are passionate about the profession of print media technologist. This is something we see in all participants who put themselves forward for a competition like this.” - Bernhard Nahm, Heidelberg

“Today we’re selecting the best up-and-coming young professionals for the international WorldSkills,” emphasized Marcus A. Wassenberg, CFO of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, at the award ceremony for the German championships. “Talent management and the promotion of up-and-coming young professionals pay off. This is also what drives us at Heidelberg. This is why we support this and other competitions like “Jugend Forscht” or the “Wissensfabrik”. We are growing our vocational training numbers – bucking the current trend in the economy. We invest in the competencies of our talents because they are vital to the pace of transformation and our industry’s long-term success;

they are the present and the future and they show that achievement, curiosity, and a hunger for knowledge pay off.”

Hubert Romer, Secretary of WorldSkills Germany, was also impressed by the outstanding performances on show from the competitors: “The times we are living in are not the easiest of backdrops against which to demonstrate top performance. But our finalists in the German championships did not let this stop them, and showed incredible strength of nerve. They have proven that they are among the best in Germany, and the world.”

Challenging tasks for young talents In fact, the competition, naturally held in compliance with the applicable coronavirus hygiene measures, was as tough as ever. In the graphic design discipline, the competitors had to come up with a completely new corporate design for a print shop that produces small-edition art print runs using historical presses. This included a new logo, new corporate colors and fonts, business cards, and a poster campaign, among other things. “This is a task that an entire team of media designers would spend several days working on,” said Markus Wiese, WorldSkills trainer of the German national team in the graphic design discipline and owner of media

Key Notes : > 12 skilled workers demonstrated their high level of knowledge. > Six media designers and six print media technologists took on the challenging competition tasks. > The winners go on to train as national teams for the international WorldSkills competition running from September 22 to 26, 2021, in Shanghai.

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“Talent management and the promotion of up-and-coming young professionals pay off,” confirmed Marcus A. Wassenberg, CFO of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, at the award ceremony for the German championships in the media professions.

pressideas/ commercial printing

Award ceremony for the printing technology discipline (from left to right): Hubert Romer, Secretary of WorldSkills Germany, Sezer Emre Bay (silver medal), Hendrik den Ouden (gold medal), Maximilian Glockshuber (bronze medal), and Marcus A. Wassenberg.

design agency Mediengestaltung Wiese, “but the competitors did well.” Dorothee Schlecht from interface.die medienwerkstatt in Neckargemünd claimed the silver medal in this discipline, while Eliane Schauff from Adolph-Kolping-Berufskolleg Münster won bronze.

The competitors in the printing technology discipline had to produce a four-colour job on a Speedmaster SX 52 offset printing press and mix several spot colours. The tasks had to be completed as quickly and efficiently as possible. Bernhard Nahm, Head of Vocational Training for Media Professions at Heidelberg and responsible for organizing the event, also confirmed: “The competitors’ performance has been good to very good across the board. We noticed that all of them are passionate about the profession of print

Luisa Kewitz (third from left) took home the gold medal in the graphic design discipline, with silver going to Dorothee Schlecht (second from left), and bronze to Eliane Schauff (fourth from left).

media technologist. This is something we see in all participants who put themselves forward for a competition like this.”

Sezer Emre Bay, who completed his vocational training at Kösel GmbH & Co. KG, and is now working for the Belgian company Van Genechten Packaging in Kempten, won the silver medal in the printing technology discipline. Maximilian Glockshuber from Offsetdruck Dersch in Wörth secured bronze.

Participants in WorldSkills Germany must have completed their training and be under 23 years of age. Applications are submitted to the Zentral-Fachausschuss Berufsbildung Druck und Medien (ZFA).

for September 22 to 26, 2021, in Shanghai.

The German championships in the media professions enjoy the support of a number of heavyweight partners. These include the Bundesverband Druck und Medien e.

V. (German printing and media industries federation), SRH Berufsbildungswerk Neckargemünd (non-profit vocational training organization), the Zentral-Fachausschuss Berufsbildung Druck und Medien (central committee for vocational education and training in print and media), and Mediengestaltung Wiese (media design agency). Heidelberg is a founding member of WorldSkills Germany and already in its ninth year of supporting the national championships.

Both national teams are now training for the international WorldSkills competition, planned

A total of twelve skilled workers competed at WorldSkills Germany. Six media designers and six print media technologists took on the challenging competition tasks.

Reduce file size 14x & process PDFs 24x faster with ReadyPDF Solimar Systems’ ReadyPDF Reduces Test File Size Nearly 14 x and Processes PDFs 24 x Faster.

Solimar Systems, provider of workflow solutions for print production and digital communications, has announced the impressive reductions in PDF size and processing times achieved by customers and in lab tests ofReadyPDF PrePress Server.

ReadyPDF server is a PDF-centric production print solution that features a host of industrial file cleansing and optimization capabilities as well as standard print management functionality. Upon learning of this solution, Solimar Customer Advisory Council Member, Chris Beech, Manager, Composition Services at Gilmore Doculink, was an early tester and adopter.

With ReadyPDF, Beech reported the reduction in the size of one application resulted in the processing time being cut by a staggering 23 hours.

“The overall reduction in file size we saw was, therefore, very significant and, in particular, the decreased document overhead, which affects how the RIP is processing, was truly remarkable.” Pat McGrew, Managing Director, McGrewGroup.

Key Notes : > Reducing the document overhead and taking even seconds out of process makes a massive difference. > Canadian printer, Gilmore Doculink, uses ReadyPDF and reduces processing time from 24 hours to 1 hour. > Keypoint Intelligence reports complex 13GB catalogue file shrinks to 1GB with ReadyPDF.

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“This particular job was e-delivery for internal and third-party distribution. We host and archive 100% of the output and print the content on a color roll press.

Pre-ReadyPDF, this application would have a 24-hour turnaround. Using ReadyPDF it takes just 1 hour – the savings are quite incredible!” Beech commented.

“Typically, we saw a 660MB file reduced to just 50MB. Although the ReadyPDF files were smaller, they also contained more content, ensuring there was zero impact on the downstream systems. ReadyPDF

also enabled a more streamlined approach, eliminating the need for multiple resources as all files, whether archived or printed, are optimized for print production.”

Industry research and analyst consultancy, Keypoint Intelligence, also agreed to put ReadyPDF to the test in its UK lab, equipped with a Konica Minolta press, as part of its speed and RIP testing experiments.

McGrewGroup, experts in business and industry best practice, supplied both technical and real-world test files to the lab, all of which were selected for their complexity and processing challenges, with highresolution data, graphics, BITMAPS, images of forms and Adobe InDesign PDFs. All the technical files – a Direct Mail flyer, commercial, full-colour invoice and notebook with a Shutterstock image on every page – were processed with ReadyPDF and were reduced in size (up to 7 x smaller), while the real-world test file – an office supplies catalogue – was 14 x smaller.

“With the incredibly complicated catalogue file, we expected to see some performance enhancements using ReadyPDF, but we did not expect the file to reduce in size,” explained Pat McGrew, Managing Director, McGrewGroup. “The overall reduction in file size we saw was, therefore, very significant

pressideas/ commercial printing

and, in particular, the decreased document overhead, which affects how the RIP is processing, was truly remarkable. For production managers, the size of the document overhead has a huge impact on production time, which affects contractual delivery agreements and service level agreements (SLAs). Reducing the document overhead and taking even seconds out of this process makes a massive difference as you have to multiply those seconds by the number of copies being printed.

“Add the benefit of a smaller file, resulting in less storage space needed, all companies that have to print and store – which is almost all print businesses due to more comprehensive audits – now have a solution that can significantly improve their bottom line.”

Of the 12GB removed from the original 13GB

catalog file, more than 5GB were optimized images. ReadyPDF also caches resources and removes references to optimize the file and increase processing efficiencies, and this is clearly demonstrated by the catalog file test.

“The size of the file always matters, and efficiency always matters. For digital, transactional and direct mail, light production or heavy-duty office printing to CTP newspaper printing or e-delivery – every file takes up space and costs money. The more efficient the files are, the better it is for the entire communications chain, and this is why ReadyPDF presents such a massive opportunity for the entire industry,” commented McGrew.

ReadyPDF also features a new obfuscation capability that allows users to jumble text content in the PDF. This capability allows

businesses to conceal confidential data and support adherence to GDPR, the California Data Protection Act and other data protection guidelines when sending files to third parties for review or testing. Other highlights include font embedding, consolidation, and replacement (including subsets).

“At Solimar, we know that printing presses are getting faster, but file inefficiencies are slowing them down. This is why we have our eye firmly on the RIP,” said Mary Ann Rowan, Chief Experience Officer, Solimar Systems. “ReadyPDF has been designed to help overcome the challenges customers encounter with many RIP systems and fully optimize PDFs so that, once they configure ReadyPDF, users can simply integrate it into their workflow, automate it and then stand back and reap the rewards.”

Sistrade launches New Version V.12.7 The new features enable to simplify, accelerate and improve production processes.

A new version - 12.7 of the Sistrade MIS|ERP software has been launched. It includes new features and improvements helping to simplify, accelerate and improve all the company’s business and production processes.

of estimating of flexible packaging without a technical data sheet has been improved in terms of calculation of ink prices, now it is possible to indicate the coverage percentage, consumption (in g/m2) and price, for each type of ink.

The new features and improvements added in this new version of the software allow increasing the customers’ business through a reduction in operating costs, efficient use of time, easy access to information and optimization of the resources. Companies can collect critical information related to their business that will allow managers to make more agile and efficient decisions within the company or from anywhere in the world.

Technical data sheets

Estimating

When it comes to technical data sheet for offset or labels, it is now possible to view die cutter image and all the files related with the particular die cutting tool.

To avoid production movements without a clear responsibility it has now set the presence of the employee on the production machine mandatory.

This latest version also includes a new component – Screen printing with all the features, including technical data sheets for this new element.

Scheduling

The flexible packaging estimating process has been improved in terms of the price per click for digital machines. The process

Flexible packaging technical data sheet have been optimised to include even more information for a more precise and efficient production. It is now possible to rotate the imposition layout 90˚ whenever production follows a formula. Another addition which can significantly speed up data entering process, as it is now possible to import technical data through XML file.

warehouse solutions. The inventory process via PDT is now optimised so that after the warehouse location is selected the user has a list of all inventory for that location, including the information about the article, number of packages as well as the total weight. For a better clichés and cylinder management via PDT, there is now a new feature for flexo tool location management.

Production Management Just as in the other areas, production management has been increased by screen printing orders processing screen in order to deal with the different external software used to handle the technical details of the screen printing.

For the multi-factory companies it has improved the scheduling management, now the same job order can be simultaneously planned in different factories.

Stocks & Purchases Management The new version has improved the mobile

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DKSH: Spearheading integrated Market Expansion Services Hanno Elbraechter (HE), Head Business Unit Technology, Member of Executive Committee and Suhas Kulkarni (SK), General Manager, Business Development in exclusive talk with PRESSIdeas.

PRESSIdeas: Describe DKSH’s business journey till date.

Today, operating across four Business Units – Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Performance Materials and Technology – in line with their underlying goal ‘to drive growth’, DKSH’s vision is to be the trusted partner for companies looking to grow their business in Asia and beyond.

Key Notes : > The three Swiss pioneers of DKSH not only built thriving businesses themselves, they also helped other companies grow and succeed. > Still the core of their business more than 150 years later, they provide a wide range of integrated Market Expansion Services to grow their partners’ businesses. > Provide a comprehensive package of integrated and tailored services across the entire life cycle of the products.

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Hanno Elbraechter (HE): Long before many of today’s companies were created, our founding fathers, encouraged by Asia’s vast, untapped opportunities, ventured to Asia to lay the foundation of what is now DKSH. Our journey began in 1865 when three Swiss pioneers – Caspar Brennwald, Wilhelm Heinrich Diethelm and Eduard Anton Keller – set sail to discover Asia. They set up companies in Yokohama, Manila and Singapore trading silk and consumer goods products. They not only built thriving businesses themselves, they also helped other companies grow and succeed. This is still the core of our business more than 150 years later: we provide a wide range of integrated Market Expansion Services to grow our partners’ businesses. Today, we operate across four Business Units – Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Performance Materials and Technology. The underlying goal of any business is to drive growth.

In line with this, DKSH’s vision is to be the trusted partner for companies looking to grow their business in Asia and beyond.

PRESSIdeas: Speaking of DKSH’s Asia focus, what is the present range of services for the Asian customers of DKSH? Hanno Elbraechter: We provide a comprehensive package of integrated and tailored services across the entire life cycle of the products. As a Market Expansion Services provider, we go beyond offering individual services – in fact, we integrate many different services to meet our business partners’ needs. What sets us apart from conventional distributors is our range of value-added services that we provide for our clients and customers, which are made up of much more than mere distribution.

Our value proposition for our customers is: you can count on us to provide you with the right solutions for the success of your business. Take Business Unit Technology as an example: the services we provide to our customers in that division include product sourcing, distribution and logistics, training, installation and commissioning, integrated solution design, maintenance and repairs, spare parts and consumables as well as other value-added services.

PRESSIdeas: DKSH excels with its Swiss heritage and long business tradition since

1865. What values and traditions from those days do you see as of strength for present day DKSH? Hanno Elbraechter: DKSH’s identity is based on its core corporate values – Integrity, Empowerment, Collaboration, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability.

These values are not only an integral part of our history and heritage, but differentiate us from our competitors and build the foundation of our unique selling points today.

• Integrity: we never compromise on our ethical, business and compliance standards • Empowerment: we own our decisions, take accountability for our actions and trust and respect each other – so each one of us can make a difference and grow • Collaboration: we work as one DKSH team, supporting each other and our partners, to achieve joint success • Entrepreneurship: we innovate, identify business opportunities and focus on operational excellence to drive growth for our partners and us • Sustainability: we take responsibility for our environmental, social and economic impact to account for present and future needs PRESSIdeas: What are the key areas of services so far as SAP vis-à-vis DKSH is concerned? Can you elaborate so an average customer can understand how he and his business can benefit from these?

Hanno Elbraechter: With more than 8,000 SAP users within DKSH and 22 million transactions annually (almost 1.8 million transactions each month), DKSH operates one of the largest single SAP instances in Asia. Overall, we leverage on SAP services to boost our organization’s efficiency and productivity by digitizing and automating processes across the entire value chain. “Digital-first” is our priority to meet the fast-growing demand for online

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plastic being banned. This is an area where DKSH Business Line Printing Packaging & Converting will focus on and align services and support around it.

PRESSIdeas: What solutions do you suggest for a common printer in present tough times?

businesses and eCommerce. We have an integrated platform to leverage and expedite time to market for all digital and offline customer touch points to a single, robust platform, which further helps us develop the B2B portal, eCommerce as well as expand our B2C presence via e-fulfillment operations in e-marketplaces. From the perspective of Business Unit Technology, order to cash, procure-to-pay, data analytics as well as operation reporting are heavily dependent on SAP services. With the roll-out of our new, intelligent digital core – SAP S/4HANA, we are expected to fully leverage on in-memory database, thus providing us with the benefits below: • Real-time data processing • Combined transactions and analytics on the same data store • A simplified data model: a holistic view to interact and understand our data In summary, this development and integration platform will help us get up to speed in a customer-centric, ever-changing market – especially when it comes to optimizing daily business transactions and accelerating strategic decision making.

PRESSIdeas: How is DKSH IT different from DKSH? How does IT help in areas like personnel, behavioral and mechanical etc.?

Hanno Elbraechter: DKSH IT is one of the key functions at DKSH. We are running a central organization and have built all our business processes on a single instance SAP environment. We never stop growing our talent professionally and constantly explore options to improve ourselves with wide arrays of next-generation technologies to provide better services, streamline processes, leverage employee talent and retain our competitive advantage by using information

technology. For instance, we are digitizing employee records, managing performance online as well as promoting an e-learning culture.

Consolidation is key. One of our core capabilities is the Product Information Management (PIM). It allows us to manage all our product content (such as pictures, specifications, etc.) from a single information repository. This enables us to organize multiple catalogues in numerous languages and to create consistent and high-quality user-centric content across multiple channels.

PRESSIdeas: How does DKSH help customers with setups that don’t employ the latest technology or aren’t up to the mark? Does it involve a lot of investment?

Hanno Elbraechter: DKSH provides integrated solutions to ensure our customers’ business success. Based on the customers’ current situation, we can provide tailored solutions for them and offer services, such as training, installation and calibration, all the way to after-sales services. Our engineers possess the technical know-how and will retain customers, shorten their learning curve, while ensuring the successful integration of the new technologies.

PRESSIdeas: What do you see as the key challenges in the Indian market?

How is it different from challenges elsewhere?

Suhas Kulkarni: We see India more as an opportunity to seize rather than a challenge. The Indian flexible packaging market has matured over the years and now needs sustainable solutions, given the fact that there is a high focus on the single-use

Suhas Kulkarni: The Printing & Packaging industry is a service-based manufacturing industry. Focusing on a sustainable business model is more important, and this can be done with equal exposure to several packaging segments. Having a wider scope of offering will minimize the risk associated with any single industry segment. Reaching a fine balance between high volumes and highmargin product delivery is important.

PRESSIdeas: What are key points of your association with SOMA? How has been your experience while meeting targets so far?

Suhas Kulkarni: SOMA Engineering Company has a very strong foundation in engineering, and the products it manufactures are robust and deliver high features, some of which are not even seen in similar product categories. The association with SOMA is to ensure we increase their market presence and help deliver the right product to the right segment. Even in the current flexographic printing segment, we see huge potential to serve the real needs of the industry, ensuring high productivity. After working with them for over a year, we are happy to see positive results and traction in the market.

PRESSIdeas: What are other areas of business and services you offer in the Indian market and Asian market?

Suhas Kulkarni: DKSH as a company offers a very broad range of products, with focus on four Business Units, namely Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Performance Materials and Technology. Having said that, the Business Line called Printing Packaging & Converting under the Business Unit Technology is increasing its portfolio to offer integrated solutions to meet sustainable printing and packaging needs in the flexible packaging segment.

PRESSIdeas: What are the latest technologies you offer for digital transformation?

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Suhas Kulkarni: The starting point for any digital transformation must be customers’ needs. Our roadmap of digital transformation is based on in-depth knowledge of our customers and aims to provide a better customer journey, from awareness to engagement, from purchasing to repurchasing. In the next two years, our target is to implement a product information management system, a quote tool as well as a global eCommerce and service platform, all of which will be integrated to our SFDC CRM platform. Our new digital ecosystem will greatly enhance our customer satisfaction and at the same time, increase our sales and service productivity.

PRESSIdeas: What are DKSH’s machine learning-driven approaches? What other solutions are being offered for increasing internal efficiencies?

Hanno Elbraechter: Machine learning techniques are greatly used by our Data

Science team to transform raw data to meaningful information with the following objectives: • Gain market insights: we commercialize analytics to DKSH’s existing and potential clients based on social data, combined with Enterprise Resource Planning information. This allows us to understand the trends that are obvious and those that are emerging in our market and what we can or cannot do to influence those trends.

• Create revenue streams for existing and potential clients: with strategic planning and logics applied, we can reach the right customers at the right time, by using sentiment analysis, market basket analysis and pricing insights methods, amongst others.

• Optimize internal operations: this internal optimization process includes our demand forecasting tool (adapting and updating forecasts in real time, allowing inventory to run leaner, without

•

missing the mark on demand), effective call optimization as well as sales route optimization.

Measure, manage and analyze marketing performance: we gather data from all marketing channels and consolidate it to a common marketing view, using pricing optimization, churn rate analysis and customer segmentation. This helps us make the most out of our data and to turn it into valuable assets to accelerate business decisions and ultimately, to stay ahead of the curve.

The digital transformation that Business Unit Technology is driving now includes a product information management system, a quote tool, a global eCommerce and service platform as well as the continuous enhancement of our CRM platform, which will all help us increase our internal efficiencies and drive our productivity.

RSA releases new software Releases software for flexible workflow during PRINTING United Digital Experience, announces Demo Days.

Rochester Software Associates (RSA), provider of production print workflow software solutions for in-plant print centers, commercial printers, and PSPs announces new digital production workflow software releases that add flexibility to production print workflows. The software get demonstrated during the PRINTING United Digital Experience. PRINTING United held online October 26 - November 12, 2020.

In addition to RSA’s online show presence and insight day sponsorships, RSA will host two live demonstration days, presenting new releases of WebCRD Web to print software, and QDirect output manager, and the latest release of RSA’s Universal prepress suite, ReadyPrint on November 4 (production workflow demo day) and November 11 (RSA what’s new demo day). See these capabilities: • • WebCRD’s new ImpactVDP release with more robust variable data capabilities, new workflow and production enhancements that automate production processes, and security updates that support the latest standards.

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• QDirect’s new variable data enhancements that simplify personalized mailings for all types of print providers and automate VDP production, the ability to manage the shop’s output remotely or on-the-go via a new Web client, and powerful end user scripting to enhance routing rules processing.

• ReadyPrint’s prepress suite that offers universal make ready, automation and document assembly and advanced preflighting.

• M.I.S. Print and IPDSPrint transactional datacenter printing new releases with responsive Web UIs, simplified configuration, and security updates.

Explore how these releases increase flexibility, add productivity and automation while streamlining workflow, and reduce touches and enable new services in RSA’s online booth and during the November demo days.

RSA sponsored the in-plant forum on November 2 and the workflow and software insight day, November 6. RSA customers are presenters in sessions both days.

RSA’s workflow solutions are available through RSA’s partners, including Canon, Kodak, Konica Minolta, Ricoh, Toshiba, and Xerox.

pressideas/ commercial printing

MMS elects Management Committee during 56th AGM MMS has announced its new Management Committee, elected during the Association’s annual general meeting on 30th September, 2020. The Committee will serve a two-year mandate until the next elections which are due in September 2022.

Outgoing President, Mr. Tushar Dhote extended a warm welcome to the members at the 56th Annual General Meeting and announced the newly elected Managing Committee members for the year 2020 – 2022. Incoming President Mr. Prakash Canser in his address said: “I am delighted to welcome the members of our new Management Committee, bringing together such a wonderful team of enthusiasm, experience and diversity and thank them all for their commitment in agreeing to serve MMS in the years ahead.”

Senior Member & Past President, MMS - Mrs. Medha Virkar, conveyed her best wishes for success as the elected Members prepare to take up the responsibilities and challenges of the high office. Mrs. Virkar assured her continued support for the betterment of the Members of the Print Industry in her role as

Senior Advisory Member and Past President, MMS.” Mr. Mehul Shah, Hon. Secretary, MMS in his address appreciated the outgoing President Mr. Tushar Dhote: “He set extremely high standards and has taken MMS to greater heights during his tenure.”

- Mrs. Medha Virkar felicitating outgoing President Mr. Tushar Dhote. Hon. Secretary - Mr. Mehul Shah felicitates outgoing Imm. Past President - Mrs. Medha Virkar, Hon. Secretary - Mr. Mehul Shah, Senior Advisory & Managing Committee Member - Mrs. Medha Virkar & Imm. Past President - Mr. Tushar Dhote, felicitating incoming President Mr. Prakash Canser.

Hon. Treasurer - Mr. Rajiv Joshi, Hon. Secretary - Mr. Mehul Shah, & Senior Advisory & Managing Committee Member

Another industry major EFI decides to pull out of drupa 2021 Uncertainties about conditions for public gatherings early next year in wake of significant disruptions caused by COVID-19 as the key reason behind the decision. drupa exhibitors in the past,” said Jeff Jacobson, chairman and CEO, EFI. “The show has always represented some of the best of what can be accomplished at an inperson event for the global print industry.

Out of an abundance of caution for employees, customers, prospects and partners, Electronics For Imaging, Inc. has canceled its planned exhibit at the drupa 2021 tradeshow taking place in Dusseldorf, Germany, next April.

“But, with the limited amount of knowledge anyone can have right now about what conditions will be for public gatherings early next year, withdrawing from drupa 2021 is an unfortunate albeit prudent decision,” Jacobson added. “All of us at EFI look forward to future drupa events beyond 2021 – and to other industry tradeshows – once the world has clearly moved past the current pandemic.”

“Our company has a long, positive history with drupa, as do I personally, having also run two companies that have been major

In light of the significant disruptions COVID-19 has caused for in-person events and for EFI’s own sales operations, EFI has

been hosting and will continue to host remote events and demonstrations for customers and prospects. The company is equipped to hold remote demos every day of the week from its facilities across the globe, covering the entire portfolio of EFI display graphics, industrial inkjet, Fiery digital front end and MIS/ERP workflow solutions.

While EFI is committed to participating in in-person events when the pandemic subsides, in the meantime, the company has also established activities such as EFI Engage – a virtual event for customers being held in place of annual EFI Connect users conference. EFI Engage will feature training, education, new technology news and partner developments for EFI customers from January 25 to February 5.

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Ms. Pavla Kusa – SOMA Engineering, in an exclusive talk with PRESSIdeas PRESSIdeas: Kindly share your SOMA journey so far—SOMA’s journey in India and some key milestones.

Ms. Pavla Kusa: My father was a young, capable mechanical engineer when everything changed in the Czech Republic and the communist regime came to an end.

He strongly believed in the team of people surrounding him in the company where he was working at the time. He didn’t have any doubt about the technical skills of the designers—even in competition with German ones.

Based on this, I believe he decided to take an enormous risk and privatized the 350-employee company where he was working. In doing so, he assumed a loan for approximately euro10 million in today’s value, with an annual interest rate of 12% for five years. He didn’t have any orders; in fact, he didn’t have anything other than two children and a mortgage for his home. But, he had a clear vision to bring to the market the ultimate level of technology that would be competitive compared to the best global brands. He also wanted to give his company the independence to sell their equipment to any customer, worldwide.

It was a fortunate coincidence that, in the end, the product portfolio was positioned to flexible packaging companies, with CI flexo presses, slitters, laminators, mounting plate machines, and die cutters. In the beginning, it was quite difficult to enter that market segment, where giants such as Windmoeller & Hoelscher and Fischer & Krecke were in a dominant position. They had many reference sites, and the development of their machines was based on decades of experience and know-how.

But, at that time there were significant changes in CI flexo technology—one which was considered of poor quality in the past but had improved dramatically. The market was hungry for new, innovative solutions— where SOMA was strong and our team of engineers were, from the start, excellent.

SOMA had started to lead in some technological areas; for example, compact design (electro cabinets were an integral part of our machine footprint), and gearless

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technology (SOMA was among first to replace geared solutions to gearless).

However, a real SOMA milestone was the 2013 launch of the OPTIMA press, with a short-run concept and ‘ABC’, our Advanced Bounce Control system. It was the time when SOMA established our position as a trendsetter. From the launch of this model in October 2013, there are now more than 150 presses installed worldwide at all kinds of companies, from middle-sized to global players such as Amcor, Mondi, and others.

Soma’s journey into India began couple of years ago, when we realized that worldwide changes were creating pressure on the Asian market to modify habits. Instead of working solely with gravure technology, they started to look at flexo technology—not only because of clear global environmental commitments to protect future generations, but also because of the real economic benefits of using flexo, instead of gravure, in every print facility. The Asian market has always demanded high quality printing but, at the same time, with considerable price consciousness. Between 2012 and 2014 we began to feel it. But SOMA has always maintained a strategy not to enter any market until we have satisfied two important keystones: –

we must have a strong and reliable partner who knows the customers’ needs and challenges in the market

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we have set up and built all the critical structure for after-sales service support

In the Indian market, the right partnership

came with DKSH and their clear commitment to deliver a team of real flexo technology experts under the leadership of Mr. Suhas Kulkarni, who has more than 30 years of flexo experience. At the same time, they have provided a team of service engineers who are trained in the mechanical and electrical aspects of CI flexo technology.

PRESSIdeas: With your extensive line-up of machines and solutions, what constitutes the Indian focus of SOMA? Ms. Pavla Kusa: As I mentioned at the beginning, the Indian market is a demanding market as it relates to print quality, because the comparison is gravure. Indian customers don’t want to compromise at all, in this respect. To offer it flexo, one of the key deliverables is “print stability”— excellent impression and register accuracy which must be set and guaranteed with a minimum of skilled operator assistance. In response to those challenges, SOMA has unique solutions with our ABC ‘Advance Bounce Control’ system, and the ARUN system.

PRESSIdeas: What is the current market share in India and what are the near future targets?

Ms. Pavla Kusa: SOMA has just launched our efforts in the Indian market with our DKSH partnership, so we are really at a starting point. However, we would like to install our first three machines during 2021. What is our target in the longer term? I can offer an example. In 2000, SOMA became active in Poland from a starting zero position, while all the other players had been established

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there. Year by year, we maintained a patient, but reliable approach, with no compromise to our SOMA customer service support. Now, for the past three years, SOMA has had the number one position in the Polish market, the largest flexible market in Europe. I would like to see this repeated, in a couple of years, here.

PRESSIdeas: What are key points of your association with DKSH? How has been you experience before and after this association?

Ms. Pavla Kusa: They are dedicated, hardworking, reliable, and have demonstrated a long-term perspective. We consider these attributes crucial for every strategic partner and, with DKSH, we have found them all.

I didn’t know DKSH as an organization, since their focus was not directed to flexible packaging. It was my biggest ‘question mark’ before we entered our association with DKSH, but they were willing to invest in an experienced team across all markets.

This was a major factor to our decision to work with them, because it showed their dedication and long-term perspective. The DKSH flexible packaging team is a group of very passionate flexo experts, so we’re a great match.

PRESSIdeas: What is the current range and latest product offerings by SOMA for the Indian customers?

Ms. Pavla Kusa: SOMA can offer a complete flexible packaging solution – CI flexo presses, laminators, slitter rewinders and, new this year, we have added an automatic mounting plate machine with an ARUN solution into our portfolio.

PRESSIdeas: Who are the key persons managing the Indian market, especially the Graphic Arts and Printing related market? What is the current network of offices, staff and partners?

Ms. Pavla Kusa: The key Indian market contact within DKSH is Suhas Kulkarni. I met him for the first time many years ago on a business trip across Asia Pacific with David Stevens, the most passionate flexo person I have ever met. Both are from a generation of people who represent the flexo pioneers from their days at DuPont. Suhas was, for me, the right person for our first venture in Asia, in the Indian market. We kept in

contact, but it took a little while before we were able to join paths. Some things in life are really like destiny, and this was one of them. Suhas has built around himself a great network of people who are directly part of the organization. One of the people I must also recognize from the DKSH management team is Hanno Elbraechter, Head of Business Unit Technology, who supported our new project with maximum effort. At this moment, DKSH is partnering with SOMA in nine markets (India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam), with six active salespeople plus a dedicated service team in all those markets.

PRESSIdeas: What is the total number of installations by SOMA in India?

What are the market and application areas where SOMA solutions have been favoured by Indian customers?

What, in your opinion, is your USP? Ms. Pavla Kusa: At this moment we have two CI flexo press installations in the Indian market — and soon we will have three. I wouldn’t say there is any favourite application. We offer solutions across all application, such as food, personal care, pharmaceuticals, etc.

I think that the greatest benefit is that every SOMA customer will get great print stability, which means excellent print registration and the maximum speed for demanding jobs — even if they bounced in the past.

This is possible due to SOMA’s unique Advance Bounce System and job tuning software. The second significant benefit for SOMA’s customers is job setting, with quick registration and impression setting without any waste due to the ARUN system. This is the greatest tool in the hands of the printer because it guarantees perfect job settings with minimal operator skill required.

PRESSIdeas: Any particular experience you would like to share where DKSH has been a special partner?

Ms. Pavla Kusa: Where I see the biggest value of DKSH is their way of thinking, which is oriented to the long term. They also have demonstrated an impressive level of professionalism in everything they do.

PRESSIdeas: Do you see today’s customer wishing more than the machine from the technology

provider? What makes SOMA special in satisfying such customers’ demands?

Ms. Pavla Kusa: Yes of course they wish more, especially when you offer and sell CI flexo technology. Flexo is a complicated technology, and to deliver just the machine doesn’t bring success. SOMA and DKSH are very much aware that it is also essential to become the customer’s partner. This is not only in the fact that DKSH offers a complete portfolio of critical flexo tools such as anilox rollers, but also that behind the DKSH team is a deep understanding and experience in flexo technology. They recommend their customers partners for repro, ink, and anything else. They provide consultation about technological problems as well as the financial ROI for any application. I think that, most important, is to be aware that with the SOMA CI flexo press, any customer gains SOMA and DKSH as partners, not just suppliers.

PRESSIdeas: What are the key challenges you see in Indian market?

How are they different from other markets?

Ms. Pavla Kusa: I see as the biggest challenge the fact that it is still a gravureoriented market. So, our first conversations will need to persuade prospective clients that flexo is a competitive technology in terms of quality, compared what they know very well and consider very effective.

PRESSIdeas: What are the key opportunities you see in the current, challenging market conditions?

Ms. Pavla Kusa: Right now, everybody starts at the same line—we are all starting from ‘zero’, which is great from SOMA’s perspective. People can start with a clean slate. They can follow the latest trends. It is like we are all starting with a piece of clean white paper, creating new opportunities without any history. That is fantastic!

PRESSIdeas: Anything else you would like to share with your customers or our readers?

Ms. Pavla Kusa: SOMA has decided to enter the Indian market in partnership with DKSH. We are prepared to become real, long-term partners with every individual customer who works with us.

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Singapore Press Holdings wins big at ADM awards 2020 SPH sweeps Asian Digital Media Awards 2020 with five wins. South China Morning Post comes in a close second place.

The results of this year’s Asian Digital Media Awards were announced in a virtual ceremony held during the online edition of WAN-IFRA’s Digital Media Asia conference, and presented by veteran BBC, CNBC and Al-Jazeera news presenter, Teymoor Nabili, who is now CEO and Publisher of Tech for Impact Asia.

The Asian Digital Media Awards were first launched in 2009 to recognise news media organisations which have adopted digital media and mobile strategies in response to how people consume news and information today. One hundred and forty entries were received in this year’s competition. All regional winners are automatically entered into WAN-IFRA’s World Digital Media Awards competition.

Singapore Press Holdings emerged the biggest winner at this year’s Asian Digital Media Awards, with a haul of three Golds and two Silvers. These were for: • • • • •

Best in Lifestyle, Sports, Entertainment Website or Mobile Services (Gold) Best in Audience Engagement (Gold) Best News Website or Mobile Service (Gold) Best News Website or Mobile Service (Silver) Best Project for News Literacy (Silver)

South China Morning Post came in a close second place with four wins, comprising three Golds and one Silver in the following categories: • Best Special Project for Covid-19 (Gold) • Best Native Advertising/Branded Content Campaign (Gold) • Best Use of Online Video (including VR) (Gold) • Best Data Visualisation (Silver).

A New Special Award for small/medium publishers went to AsiaOne, Eco-Business, JX Press Corporation and kumparan. This Award recognises smaller media companies with an annual revenue of less than US$10M which produce quality work, replacing the Bronze award in each category previously.

Such companies compete in each category

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in the same way as the large companies.

However should they not win a Gold or Silver award in that category, the highest-scoring small/medium publisher will be awarded a Special Award instead.

The four small-medium publishers received their Special Awards in these categories: • Best News Website or Mobile Service AsiaOne (Singapore) • Best Use of Online Video (including VR) - Eco-Business (Singapore) • Best Native Advertising/Branded Content Campaign - Eco-Business (Singapore) • Best Special Project for Covid-19 - JX Press Corporation (Japan) • Best in Audience Engagement kumparan (Indonesia) • Best Marketing Campaign for News Brand - kumparan (Indonesia).

Here is the full list of winners for the ten categories:

Best News Website or Mobile Service Gold: ThinkChina.sg by Chinese Media Group, Singapore Press Holdings.

Silver: 70 Years of Waiting by Chinese Media Group, Singapore Press Holdings.

Special Award: GE2020 by Asiaone Online (Singapore).

Best in Lifestyle, Sports, Entertainment Website or Mobile Services Gold: How The Straits Times uncovered a love scammer’s 3-month ruse by The Straits.

Times, Singapore Press Holdings.

Silver: Yummy by IDN Media (Indonesia).

Best in Audience Engagement Gold: Zaobao Rewards Loyalty Programme

by Chinese Media Group, Singapore Press Holdings.

Silver: IDN Times by IDN Media (Indonesia).

Special Award: Home of Premier League by kumparan (Indonesia).

Best Use of Online Video (including VR) Gold: On the ‘Front Line’ with Hong Kong

protesters by South China Morning Post (Hong Kong).

Silver: 1.17 - 25 Years Since that Day by Asahi Shimbun (Japan).

Special Award: Changing Course: On This Earth by Eco-Business (Singapore)

Best Data Visualisation Gold: Drowning in Plastic by Reuters (Singapore) Silver: Cantonese Performing Art by South China Morning Post (Hong Kong).

Best Native Advertising/Branded Content Campaign Gold: Uncover Art Macao by South China Morning Post (Hong Kong).

Silver: IDN Creative: Yummy x Indomilk Limitless Recipes by IDN Media (Indonesia).

Special Award: Changing Course 2019: An Exploration of Our Climate Crisis by EcoBusiness (Singapore).

Best Paid Content Strategy (including paywall, membership or crowdfunding models) Gold: News that’s Worth Paying For by Apple Daily (Hong Kong).

Silver: Stuff Supporter Programme by Stuff (New Zealand).

Best Marketing Campaign for News Brand Gold: Uncovering the Trust, Confronting Injustice by Apple Daily (Hong Kong).

Silver: CNA Celebrate Asia by Mediacorp (Singapore).

Special Award: kumparanWOMAN by kumparan (Indonesia).

Best Project for News Literacy (new category) Gold: Fight Against Fake News - Innovative Ideas and Effective Actions by Vietnam News Agency.

Silver: You Ask, We Answer: Questions About a Pandemic by The Straits Times, Singapore Press Holdings.

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Best Special Project for Covid-19 (new category) Gold: Coronavirus Pandemic microsite by

South China Morning Post (Hong Kong).

Silver: Explaining Covid-19 by Reuters (Singapore).

Special Award: Map of the Latest Covid-19 Outbreaks in Japan by JX Press Corporation.

Indian Media Leaders eSummit Leaders call for efforts to make the readers pay for the news they consume.

The World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) hosted the first virtual edition of the Indian Media Leaders eSummit on 21 and 22 September, with more than 500 news media executives registered from across South Asia. The summit brought together ideas on business transformation, future of news, structural changes in the Indian journalism revenue pattern.

Among other topics, it addressed future business models, reader engagement and distributed newsrooms with the pandemic as the backdrop. The WAN-IFRA India 2020 – Printing Summit, India’s popular annual event for technology and print production managers, followed the ‘Indian Media Leaders eSummit’ on 23-24 September.

During his opening remarks, K N Shath Kumar, Director of The Printers Mysore Ltd., Chairman of the WAN-IFRA South-Asia Regional Advisory Board and Member of the WAN-IFRA Supervisory Board, said that “news publishers are looking at ways to restructure their businesses”. “Publishers need to adapt to the digital environment in a faster phase to leapfrog into the future and monetise the digital offering quickly,” he added.

The keynote address by Gary Liu, CEO of the South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd, kicked off the virtual summit. Liu shed light on SCMP’s digital transformation story, from a print giant to an agile digital-first enterprise, while weathering the COVID-19 pandemic with minimal operational disruption. “For us to grow, we needed to look outside of Hong Kong. We looked at our masthead and realised that there was value in telling the story of China to the rest of the world, just like when we were founded in 1903,” he said.

SCMP had to report about China from Hong Kong to the rest of the world, and for that, the company required three distinct pillars of change: • Brand and identity: To transform how

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SCMP meant to translate its mission globally Process and structure: The company focussed on digital production and built a collaborative newsroom to ensure seamless digital production. Of the 350 employees, 330 are on the digital side, while only 20 to handle print. The company also rebuilt its entire data stack so that it could get proprietary real-time data that informs most of the editorial decision making now.

Product and technology: The company aimed to become platform agnostic.

SCMP launched its digital subscription product for Asia in August, and will expand globally in the coming months. “This value exchange is abundantly clear. We are giving you access to a close information system.

This is not an easy path forward,” said Liu. The opening keynote was followed with a discussion by CEOs of Indian media companies on the way forward to Indian news media business post-COVID. The panellists comprised of Sivakumar Sundaram (Chairman – Group Executive Council, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.), Jayant Mammen Mathew (Executive Editor & Director, Malayala Manorama) and Anant Goenka, (Executive Director, The Indian Express Group). They said the pandemic had taught us to get readers to pay for the news they consume, though it is a tough act to follow. The panel also affirmed that several new models would continue to evolve, and the role of reporters and journalists will change. It will require them to ensure their stories are read, packaged differently for different media channels. The panel concluded that it’s a great time to be in the news media business, and COVID-pandemic has only brought them closer to the readers.

Newsrooms have to be flexible, adaptive, continue to focus on field reporting and do good journalism, it added. Nidhi Razdan, Associate Professor of Journalism at Harvard

University, chaired the panel.

The event saw discussions on where advertising is headed, how newsrooms should invest in new products and technology, and zero in on alternate revenue models. Indian primary revenue driver is still advertising, which has been hit hard by the pandemic. It addressed the urgent need for distributed newsrooms where ‘work from home’ has become the new normal. There was also a discussion on why journalism needs a constructive approach in changing the global news culture, a discussion on digital subscriptions and a panel on increasing the participation of women in media leadership, hosted by WAN-IFRA’s Women in News initiative.

The conference closed with a keynote address by Phillip Crawley, Publisher and CEO, The Globe and Mail, Canada, on driving business transformation from print to digital.

The Indian Media Leaders eSummit was sponsored by Google News Initiative, Stibo DX, adpushup and ppi. It is supported by Asian News Media Focus, World News Publishing Focus, gxpress.net, RIND Survey, Indian Printer and Publisher, Press Ideas, Print and Publishing, and All About Newspapers. The conference also included a virtual expo where delegates had the opportunity to meet and network with exhibitors via video calls and chat.

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digital printing

Scalability with Vpress Coreprint Web to Print system Web to print platform from Vpress empowers Apogee to pivot and prosper.

With the global pandemic declared and its clients sending all their staff home for safety, Apogee (An HP Inc group company) needed a solution that would enable their customers to maintain a full spectrum of customer communications without interruption.

Enter Vpress, who has been working closely with the print management heavyweight to support its critical mission.

Apogee’s core support needs were for a solution that was secure with the goal of maintaining business continuity. It also needed it to connect their clients through to its print operations – and in turn join its separate sites into one virtual hub, while integrating with its MIS and workflow systems.

Key Notes : > With the pandemic shifting how clients work, the need was to rapidly develop services to ensure total continuity of support and get them up and running almost overnight. > Apogee – Europe’s largest multi-brand provider of managed print services, document and process technology and outsource services. > Offering a 360 degree solution for clients when it comes to print-based communications and marketing – both internal and external.

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The startling rise in demand placed on Vpress Coreprint Web to Print system is a testament to it scalability –– as Apogees clients went from a few jobs per month that needed to harness its full capabilities, through to 1,000 as the pandemic progressed and home-working became the norm.

“When Covid came along Apogee suddenly realised they had a lot of corporate clients that usually printed the majority of their output within their office environments or would draw down on older preprinted brochures or marketing collateral to maintain communications with clients,” explains Neil Bridgland, Key Account Manager at Vpress, adding: “That all changed of course as Covid-19 meant staff had to be sent home to protect them.”

Louise Newton, Head of DDS Pre Sales at Apogee explains the challenge it faced: “We are Europe’s largest multi-brand provider of managed print services, document and process technology and outsource services. The key value we represent to our clients is that we offer a 360 degree solution for our clients when it comes to print-based communications and marketing – both internal and external. And as such with the pandemic causing such seismic shifts in how our clients work, we needed to rapidly develop our services to ensure total continuity of support and get them up and running almost overnight.”

Louise explains that Apogee’s core support needs from this point were for a solution that was secure, and they could trust as it was rolled out to their clients with the goal of maintaining business continuity. It also needed it to connect their clients through to its

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print operations – and in turn join its separate sites into one virtual hub, while integrating with its MIS and workflow systems. And finally, Apogee needed a platform that would be scalable as they pivoted to meet the challenges of the pandemic and provide a new suite of communications solutions to their customers.

channelled through Apogee’s print operation.

Neil continues: “There was also a realisation that suddenly none of their staff were going to be able to access stocks of branded stationery or brochures, or the ability to print at home.”

Louise explains that the value that has been delivered to Apogee’s clients is their teams now have a virtual print room to call on whenever they need it. For example, when they want to send a prospective client a brochure, they simply log-in to the portal, choose its format and then press go. They critically have maintained that communication and confidence link with existing clients and maintained the ability to educate and inform prospective ones.

Apogee were using it in two ways to support their clients, several of which are major financial services providers. The first was so they could use unique artwork, already created, and add it to an existing job specification–– so in this application it was a job submission tool.

The other critical way they were applying the technology was to deploy its Elements module, which gives their client the ability to take artwork and tailor it as they need to –– based on the format it will be printed in, whether it is a letter or an A4 landscape brochure.

Neil adds: “Once the job has been tailored and created into a bespoke item it is then

“The outcome of harnessing the full capabilities of the Coreprint Web to Print system means they are now doing a huge variety of work with clients that they had previously never done, right from printing through to fulfilment.”

“Apogee were attracted to our proposition and technology due to its flexibility. And that is not just in its usability and application scope, but importantly, connectivity through to its print rooms,” says Neil, who continues: “The value we added to its operation is providing Apogee with a tool that helps their customer’s overcome key challenges and that provides solutions to communication issues that have been created by the Pandemic. It underpins their One Source platform and means Apogee can continue to grow and develop their client services portfolio with confidence.

“Vpress Coreprint Web to Print platform is not just a powerful tool in terms of its application scope, one of its most critical advantages is that we are here to ensure its long-term stability, security and continued evolution in line with market demands.”

Louise continues: “I think what really sets Apogee apart is our unique approach to managed print services provides clients unrivalled uptime, super-efficient processes and innovative technology. Being an HP Inc company we also have that immense resource at our disposal.

“Vpress is part of that story now, their flexible development strategy helps them stand out from the crowd as they will work side-by-side with you, as if they were Apogee themselves.

That means every piece of efficiency gain can be identified and addressed in granular detail.”

Louise concludes: “The feedback we get back from our clients is that the combination of hardware and software solutions we offer allow for a tailored package to fit their specific needs. This is then supported by our market-leading remote monitoring and onsite service, which further optimises their performance.

“The technology we provide onsite is then perfectly complimented by our range of specialist outsource services that include digital print, scanning and graphic design –– to ensure we keep our client’s organisations running around the clock.”

Neil concludes: “It also highlights that webto-print long ago stopped being a solution to simply facilitate the online ordering and specification of stock print products.

“Today it is advanced technology that can support the growth ambitions of an SME print house into e-commerce, through to underpinning the outbound communications structure of a multi-national conglomerate.”

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KODAK PROSPER ULTRA 520 Press: Closing the Gap - By Randy Vandagriff, President, Digital Print, Kodak.

Printers know the benchmark for quality, paper choice and operating cost has historically been the offset printing process. That’s where Kodak’s ULTRASTREAM Inkjet Technology comes in which is redefining what’s possible with inkjet in terms of productivity, output quality, flexibility and customization.

Kodak invented a new inkjet technology and leveraged it to build a revolutionary inkjet web press – the PROSPER ULTRA 520 – that closes the gap with offset. Now printers can achieve offset quality on glossy papers, with high ink coverage at a speed of 500 feet per minute – all with lower ink costs. The new press is perfect for any print service provider producing books and manuals, brochures and marketing collateral, catalogues, direct mail, or transaction and trans-promo documents.

Kodak ULTRASTREAM provides the ultimate in line straightness, highlights, detail and colour fidelity and consistency over long runs. Ink drops are created faster than DOD allowing just one array of print heads to print the full 520 mm width at 500 fpm, unlike DOD systems that must slow down and / or add extra print heads.

Key Notes : > Offset printing process – the benchmark for quality, paper choice and operating cost. > Kodak’s ULTRASTREAM Inkjet Technology – redefining what’s possible with inkjet. > The PROSPER ULTRA 520 that closes the gap with offset.

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Kodak could have used drop on demand (DOD) like everyone else. But based on its more than 50 years expertise in inkjet technology, Kodak understood that closing the gap with offset required reimaging inkjet.

The KODAK PROSPER ULTRA 520 Press – powered

by Kodak’s proprietary ULTRASTREAM Inkjet Technology – does just that, offering new levels of quality, speed, reliability and low running cost.

The new press can deliver 2,020 A4 pages per minute (2,148 letter size) printing 2-up. The press accepts paper web widths from 203 mm (8 inches) to 533 mm (21 inches). The maximum print width is 520 mm (20.5 inches), which allows for a wide variety of imposition formats consistent with traditional offset presses. PROSPER ULTRA 520 prints at a resolution of 600 x 1800 dpi (200 lpi offset quality equivalent) on 42-270 gsm papers, including glossy and standard offset stock (with an optional precoating station).

KODAK ULTRASTREAM Inkjet Technology overcomes the limitations of DOD for maximum productivity and print consistency Kodak ULTRASTREAM provides the ultimate in line straightness, highlights, detail and colour fidelity and consistency over long runs. It offers numerous advantages over other inkjet technologies. Ink drops are created faster than DOD and this allows just one array of print heads to print the full 520 mm width at 500 fpm, unlike DOD systems that must slow down

and / or add extra print heads.

Drops travel to the paper faster than DOD and this targets them exactly for better quality. Moreover, drops are round and precise, unlike DOD that has misshapen drops and extra satellite drops, which leads to jagged edges on text and lines and less sharp images. And unlike some rival presses, PROSPER ULTRA 520 does not need to print spit bars and colour lines between jobs. This means there is no ink and paper waste from printhead maintenance required by DOD presses to prevent nozzle clogging.

Inks that make a difference PROSPER ULTRA 520 runs eco-friendly nanoparticulate aqueous KODAK pigment CMYK inks for the lowest cost and highest quality available today.

One low-cost ink is used for all papers, even glossy – unlike some competing systems. Kodak’s proprietary ink pigment milling process means the press delivers a 95% larger gamut than SWOP offset and can match 93% of Pantone colors (within 4 dE).This enables the PROSPER ULTRA 520 to print vivid images with

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vibrant colours, match brand colours and exceed customer expectations.

For maintaining consistently high quality and highly efficient throughput, the press employs Kodak’s patented Intelligent Print System which continuously monitors and optimizes stitching, colour-to-colour and front-to-back registration. This automated feature also helps avoid costly waste.

Small footprint, huge capabilities The KODAK PROSPER ULTRA 520 Press has a compact and robust press design.

Thanks to its small footprint and range of specifications, it can be installed in most any production facility without extra expenses for establishing a special digital pressroom.

PROSPER ULTRA 520’s open architecture allows printers to work with a variety of vendors for unwinders, rewinders, precoat and postcoat units, and finishing equipment.

PROSPER ULTRA 520 is available in two versions: PROSPER ULTRA P520 is targeted at publishing applications and commercial print up to moderate ink coverage. The P520 model has two dryers per side of the web – four in the complete press. Then

there’s PROSPER ULTRA C520 – the perfect choice for commercial printers producing direct mailers, inserts, catalogs and books even those with high ink coverage on coated papers. The C520 has four dryers per side – eight in the complete press. PROSPER ULTRA 520 features a proprietary intelligent drying system using near infrared technology.

The innovative drying solution combined with Kodak’s low humectant pigment inks are the key to printing heavy ink coverage on glossy papers at the press’s top speed.

Press controls and job management are handled by the new KODAK 900 Print Manager which is based on an extremely efficient hardware configuration. The compact digital front end employs the state-of-the-art ADOBE APPE 5 RIP and runs the press at peak performance with easy set-up, make-ready, and a sophisticated job queuing system. The system accepts all the leading file formats such as PDF, PDF/ VT, and AFP and supports connectivity to JDF/JMF compatible prepress and finishing devices. These features ensure an optimum compatibility and integration of the PROSPER ULTRA 520 Press in today’s connected production environments.

A press in a class of its own With offset-comparable output and exceptional productivity, the PROSPER ULTRA 520 Press represents a true revolution in inkjet production printing, closing the gap with offset. At 2x to 3x faster than competing systems in its highest quality mode, it delivers unrivalled productivity and efficiency.

Thanks to these unique capabilities, printers can transition more work from higher cost offset or toner devices to grow their business.

That’s why the KODAK PROSPER ULTRA 520 Press is truly inkjet reimagined.

Let us prove it to you with print samples comparing the PROSPER ULTRA 520 to offset. Or we can even arrange a virtual demonstration for you.

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Epson achieves landmark 50 million EcoTank printer sale mark The high-capacity ink tank printers contribute to over 160,000 tonnes reduction in CO2 emission.

Epson first launched high-capacity ink tank inkjet printers (now known as EcoTank in most markets) in October 2010, in Indonesia.

The company then steadily expanded the territory over which these printers are sold, expanding to 170 countries and regions by 2019. As a result, cumulative global sales of their high-capacity ink tank inkjet printers recently topped 50 million units. In India, as of September 2020, the cumulative sales of the EcoTank printers crossed 4.3 million units. Moreover, by saving on plastic, which is the main component of ink cartridges, Epson estimates that CO2 emissions were approximately 166,000 tonnes lower than they would have been if all these units had been cartridge printers.

By first establishing a presence in emerging nations and then making inroads into developed economies, Epson has seen its high-capacity ink tank models account for a growing percentage of the total inkjet market each year. As a result, Epson, which boasts strong brand recognition and an extensive product lineup, has continued to maintain the top share in the global high-capacity ink tank printer market for ten consecutive years.

In India Epson leads the Inkjet printer market with a volume market share of 46.07% in FY 2019-20.

“Rapid changes in society touched off

changes in the office and education printing environments during the 2020 fiscal year,” says Mr. Siva Kumar, Senior General Manager, Inkjet Printers at Epson India. “In all segments, we will continue to offer far lower printing costs and unrivaled environmental performance to enable our customers to print without having to worry about printing costs and environmental impacts,” he adds. ‘’Epson has been consistently leading the Inkjet printer market and this achievement is not only a crucial milestone for us, but also testifies to the immense trust in our EcoTank printers in India and the world over. Our in-depth understanding of the Indian consumer has led to the amazing success of our EcoTank printers in the

country, with consumers from the home, office & commercial segments embracing the Economical and Eco-friendly printing we offer. At Epson, we are committed to continually offering unique value and solutions to delight our customers,” continues Mr. Siva Kumar.

Epson India was incorporated in the year 2000. Epson products address the needs of homes, businesses and commercial enterprises as those of consumers with specialized needs in India. Headquartered in Bangalore, the company markets and supports Epson Inkjet Printers, Inkjet All-inOnes, Point of Sale Printers, 3LCD Projectors, Scanners, Large Format Printers, Robots and Dot-Matrix Printers.

Amazon commits spending $400 million with Kornit Digital over next five years The online retailing giant Amazon committed to spending $400 million with digital printer maker Kornit over the next five years, in exchange for stock warrants. Amazon has a long-standing partnership with Kornit to power its Merch by Amazon services.

“The business is on fire – fashion companies

are moving online and to textile printing on demand,” said Kornit CEO Ronen Samuel while speaking on the development to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. “The agreement marks a turning point for us – we will be a huge company. Our sales target of $500 million in 2023 will be achieved only through organic growth.’

Amazon committed to buying products and services from Kornit totaling $400 million over the next five years. The commitment is divided into two – $250 million in existing products (digital printers, inks and services) in exchange for warrants convertible into

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1.9 million shares, and $150 million in future products in exchange for warrants for 1.5 million shares.

Amazon has been using Kornit printers for its Merch by Amazon service for several years.

The service lets independent designers sell personalized T-shirts and other items, with Amazon handling production, shipping and collection. This new deal with Kornit will allow Amazon to expand its digitally printed offerings to things like housewares and sports equipment. Amazon will use Kornit’s Presto, an industrial single-step direct-tofabric printer.

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Kornit Digital appoints Ilan Elad as President of Asia-Pacific division Incoming KDAP President brings extensive regional aptitude, record of success to “inspiring and disruptive” leader in on-demand production technologies.

Global digital textile printing technology provider Kornit Digital has appointed Ilan Elad as President of the company’s AsiaPacific (KDAP) division.

In recent months, Elad has served as a consultant to Kornit Digital in support of several expansion opportunities, allowing him to become acquainted with Kornit’s global business, in addition to giving Kornit full confidence in Elad’s qualifications as an executive leader.

Based in Tokyo, Elad has served Daimler Trucks Asia since 2013, most recently as Vice President of Sales—Africa, SAARC, Oceania.

Previously, he was Founder and CEO of Vision India, as well as Regional Managing Director NEU with telecommunications company Ciena. Elad has successfully spearheaded go-to-market strategy and execution across multiple continents, with

a specific focus on Asia and Oceania in the past 12 years, accumulating vast market insights and leadership instincts that will serve Kornit’s commitment to growth and industry leadership in Asia-Pacific territories—particularly Japan, the world’s fourth-largest e-commerce market.

“I’ve been aware of Kornit’s growing position as a tech leader for several years, and was genuinely moved by the opportunity to join such an inspiring and disruptive organization,” said Elad. “Mature and ready to grow, Kornit checked all the boxes for me. It’s a creative brand that clearly invests in growth, offering precisely the kind of culture and diversity I’ve been looking for, and one where I’m certain I can create new opportunities from the first days.”

“Efficient, sustainable, digitized production capabilities are essential to businesses moving from traditional retail cycles to the web-driven, on-demand economy, and nowhere is truer than in Asia-Pacific, where a great deal of the global textile supply chain begins,” said Ronen Samuel, Kornit Digital CEO. “We could not ask for a more

knowledgeable, capable, proven candidate than Ilan Elad to lead Kornit’s charge towards innovation leadership and market dominance in this critical region. His appointment reflects our high standards for giving fulfillers and brands the partner they need to generate new business, expand their operations, and elevate the textile industry to be the model of eco-consciousness, versatility, and profitable expression it’s capable of being.”

Kornit Digital develops, manufactures and markets industrial digital printing technologies for the garment, apparel and textile industries. Kornit’s technology enables innovative business models based on webto-print, on-demand and mass customization concepts. With its immense experience in the direct-to-garment market, Kornit also offers a revolutionary approach to the roll-to-roll textile printing industry: Digitally printing with a single ink set onto multiple types of fabric with no additional finishing processes.

Founded in 2003, Kornit Digital is a global company, headquartered in Israel with offices in the USA, Europe and Asia Pacific, and serves customers in more than 100 countries worldwide.

HP’s Project Smile for Vistara’s brave cabin crew Vistara joins hands with HP for #BringingTheSmilesBack.

India’s full service carrier Vistara has joined hands with HP for their initiative – ‘Project Smile’. Project Smile aims to recognise frontline people during COVID-19 pandemic by printing and pasting their smiling faces on their respective protective suits.

Through the initiative Vistara celebrates the spirit and effort of its frontline teams, between 07 and 09 October 2020, by #BringingTheSmilesBack from behind their masks. With this, Vistara also becomes the first non-healthcare brand to associate with Project Smile.

Ms. Deepti Sampat, Vice President, Marketing, Vistara, said, “These unprecedented times have reminded us all the significance of the selfless work of

those on the frontline. Despite the odds and much like health workers, airline cabin crew around the world continues to brave this pandemic and help people travel safely. Our participation in HP’s ‘Project Smile’ is – first, an expression of Vistara’s recognition of their effort, and second, a reminder to our customers that behind those protective gear, we remain the people who serve them with the same warmth and smiles as we always did.”

environment-friendly paper, appropriate for use in sensitive environments like hospitals and flights.

‘Project Smile’ is an initiative run by HP that aims to bring back smiles of people on the frontline and make human interactions more humane.

Cabin crew on Vistara’s flights between Delhi and London Heathrow, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Goa, will have these special photo stickers pasted on their protective suits, during the three-day period.

The stickers will be printed on special,

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Kumar Labels: A values driven company Values have been the guiding force for this labels specialist company which recently accomplished a rare feat of setting up a full functional factory at Goa – done remotely during the Covid-19 hard times. PRESSIdeas talks with founder Anuj Bhargava on this achievement and more about Kumar Labels.

Values have been the guiding force for this labels specialist company which recently accomplished a rare feat of setting up a full functional factory at Goa – done remotely during the Covid-19 hard times.

PRESSIdeas talks with founder Anuj Bhargava on this achievement and more about Kumar Labels.

Kumar Labels is an organization guided by their values. In fact, the values not only serve as their guiding principles, but are also the first things imparted to every member of their team which in turn follows them religiously. For example, Kumar Labels builds quality into their products, moving on the philosophy that ‘a product is not quality because it is hard to make and costs a lot of money; customer pays for what is of use to them and gives them value’.

“While I hear everyone talk about automation and less work force as the key take away of working during the pandemic, I also noticed that companies with intelligent investment in autonomation bounced back faster after the lockdown.” Anuj Bhargava, Founder, Kumar Labels.

The traits we commonly found at Kumar Labels include • Understanding of customer’s requirements and suggesting the most appropriate solution; • Using the most appropriate inputs and processes to arrive at the desired output; • Developing solid process knowledge to produce products that best match the customer’s requirements, most efficiently, and in least possible time; • Hiring the best talent and imparting the best possible training to them so that they could deliver as per the customers’ need.

“We believe that ‘winning is nice if you don’t lose

Key Notes : > Worked remotely with contractors to get the facility set up during lockdown. > Drew layouts of how material would be placed in trucks and sequence of how it would get unloaded and set in final space; even planned food for 4 days of transit of the drivers. > Inspired by Toyota’s autonomation concept of business.

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your integrity in the process’,” says Anuj Bhargava, Founder, Kumar Labels. He considers ‘Integrity’ as their most valued strength.

The company which works with ‘make it happen’ spirit, has been known for its performance to live up to commitments each time. “We strive to achieve even the impossible,” says Anuj.

With many accolades to their credit, Kumar Labels has achieved added another feather to its cap by setting up a full functional factory from what we can as well say ‘a bare shed’. What makes it special is the fact that the set up was done remotely and during the current pandemic period. Though it required – extreme levels of planning, continuous communication, good contractors, effective liaison agent to work with authorities and experienced in-house team to install machines etc., for Anuj it is simply – ‘the show must go on’. In his own words, “The Project was conceived past year and execution

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was planned to be done in March. We waited till July for the situation to improve. As they say, the show must go on, so it did and we worked remotely with contractors and got the facility set up.”

The factory has been set up remotely and there were huge challenges to face.

They also realized the challenges brought by the pandemic for their customers in terms of supply availability. But, through astute planning, the challenges were ably overcome. “Workforce was in acute shortage.

We had to take care of every minute development – for example, we planned food for 4 days of transit of the drivers. Similarly, we drew layouts of how material would be placed in trucks and sequence of how it would get unloaded and set in final space,” recounts Anuj.

“Besides, our in-house machine manufacturing experience helped immensely along with my personal experience of working in projects while with Corning Japan,” he adds. Kumar Labels is a part of Kumar Printers, which started in the year 1964 and is one of the leading packaging suppliers in the country today.

The ‘autonomation’ principle and key features and advantages Not automating everything, doing what can be done consistently with simple machines and adding human touch to automation is the Toyota concept of autonomation. Kumar Labels’ concept of business is inspired by

autonomation. At Kumar Labels, it means – faster job changes; staying agile and flexible is the key, especially in times when steady flow of business is impacted. “While I hear everyone talk about automation and less work force as the key take away of working during the pandemic, I also noticed that companies with intelligent investment in autonomation bounced back faster after the lockdown,” asserts Anuj.

Also, Kumar Labels has successfully achieved quick production, answering customer demands without compromising on quality. “Factors contributing to this achievement have been:- 1). Simple, agile, flexible infrastructure 2). Excessive training to the team 3). Innovating not just in product offering but also in ways of doing the same things more efficiently,” specifies Anuj.

Kumar Labels has something unique about their team – many in the team come from all walks of life with little printing background.

“As a policy we do not poach resources. Our philosophy is to train & enable people to do (earn) more for themselves,” says Anuj.

The infrastructure at Goa facility constitutes a mix of old & new machines. They have a 10-colour flexo, a 2 colour screen, a camera based inspection and a variety of ancillary equipment. Besides, their in-house labelstock manufacturing facility and a diverse equipment infrastructure helps them to serve their customers with competitively priced quality products. Customers primarily

constitute Alco-Bev & Pharmaceutical. They work for several leading Alco-Bev brands in India and overseas. Anuj says they aren’t looking at instant gains from the new unit. They would for now be taking time to understand the local needs and respond gradually. “We would be happy if we could maintain last year’s revenues. In general an OEE of 35-45% makes us happy,” he says.

Speaking about the recent pandemic period, he observes, “I think our print fraternity is well aware of challenges such as cash flows, order variations, workforce shortages etc.

I am so proud to be a part of the Indian Print fraternity which works in most difficult conditions, with such tight margins and yet grows each year – generating revenues for the country and offering employment.”

Maintaining an honest and transparent relationship with customers, suppliers and employees has been Kumar Labels’ core strength. Years of continuous efforts have yielded trust development among the relationships which in turn have spelled a profitable growth for the values driven labels specialist – Kumar Labels.

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Inline embellishment in many ways amazing and amazingly simple Digital modules offer cost-efficient finishing options – By Dieter Finna

Numerous effects are available for digital print finishing of labels and packaging. These include high-gloss surfaces, matt-gloss effects with high contrast, a wide range of tactile design effects and the use of digital metal relief effects with cold foil. The pre-printing of opaque white as a basis for brilliant colour effects and the printing of opaque texts on transparent films are also among the digital finishing effects used. These effects offer an alternative to effects conventionally created in screen or flexographic printing and impress in practice through their radiance and cost-effective implementation options.

Integrated inline in the printing process, the new digital modules from Gallus implement promotional design effects economically in one operation and thus keep production costs low. The two modules offered are: the Digital Embellishment Unit (DEU) and the Digital Printbar “White Edition”.

Key Notes : > Higher prepress costs in addition to multi-step production processes often stand in the way of the application of finishing effects. > Packaging designers in particular would like to use them more frequently to enhance the appeal of labels and packaging. > New digital modules from Gallus are bringing momentum to this gridlocked situation.

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In general, Gallus offers two different modules: the Digital Embellishment Unit (DEU) and the Digital Printbar “White Edition”. The two modules differ in terms of their finishing options and positioning options within a printing system.

Digital Embellishment Unit (DEU) In a Gallus Labelfire, the module enables embellishment and printing in a single operation in a completely digital workflow and is installed directly behind digital or conventional printing units.

“The DEU implements both matt and glossy spot coatings through to tactile relief effects with a coating volume of up to 100 g / m2. What is extraordinary about the DEU is that it implements three different coating effects in one pass and can thus replace up to three conventional printing stations”, says Thomas Schweizer, Head of Product Management at Gallus Ferd. Rüesch AG, explaining the advantages of the Digital Embellishment Unit. The maximum applied coating volume determines the achievable printing speed. A coating volume of up to 24 g / m² is possible at full machine speed. The machine speed is reduced with higher coating volumes.

Metallic effects can also be achieved in conjunction with a cold foil unit. The coating, which also serves as an adhesive for the cold foil for this application, is applied digitally. If the amount of coating applied is correspondingly high, a metal relief effect is created through which digital metallic doming - as a digital finishing step - is possible. This universal UV-based coating was developed by Actega Schmid Rhyner specifically for use in the Digital Embellishment Unit.

Digital Embellishment Unit (DEU) of Steinemann DPE integrated into a Gallus Labelfire 340. (Source: Gallus Ferd. Rüesch AG)

Selectable coating volumes for design effects of the Digital Embellishment Unit (DEU): Coating volume Print speed 12 g/m2 100 m/min 20 g/m2 62 m/min 24 g/m2 * 52 m/min 32 g/m2 * 38 m/min 70 g/m2 20 m/min * commonly applied coating volumes.

“What is extraordinary about the DEU is that it implements three different coating effects in one pass and can thus replace up to three conventional printing stations“, says Thomas Schweizer, Head of Product Management at Gallus Ferd. Rüesch AG, explaining the advantages of the Digital Embellishment Unit.

Digital Printbar “White Edition“ The Digital Printbar “White Edition” was first presented at Labelexpo Europe 2019 in Brussels. It is used for the digital insetting of highly opaque UV white with a layer thickness of ≤ 10 µm. “With this ink transfer it is the digital alternative to a conventional screen printing unit. Compared to conventional

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production, however, it offers greater flexibility as no printing plates are required and can be used up to a printing width of 430 mm (17”)”, says Thomas Schweizer, describing the new module. The Digital Printbar can be moved on a rail system above the primary level of a conventional press and can thus be used for white pre-print and/or white imprinting, before or after the printing units of a conventional press system. In future the Digital Printbar will also be available for applying UV coatings for matt/gloss effects and tactile applications.

340 using 7-color UV inkjet printing. A matt film is then laminated on, the contrast of which makes the gloss effects particularly effective.

The first variant is produced completely digitally, with the tactile and optical effects achieved by applying a 32 g/m2 varnish in the DEU. In the second variant, the print finishing is carried out by screen printing.

For this, the production of a screen must be calculated in the preparation of the order.

340 with conventional coating application by screen printing is the more cost-effective option. “

“The cost comparison of the “Bathlicious” variants shows that the Gallus Labelfire 340 with Digital Embellishment Unit is the more cost-effective option in print runs from 1’000 to 11’500 labels (123 to 1’415 linear meters),” explains Uwe Alexander, Area Sales Manager at Gallus Ferd. Rüesch AG, the evaluation of the cost comparison.

Variant comparison print image “Naturals” with the Digital Printbar

Digital Printbar ”White Edition“ of the Steinemann DPE, integrated into a Gallus Labelmaster 440. (Source: Gallus Ferd. Rüesch AG)

Bath salt folding box “Bathlicious” printed with UV inkjet printing. The digital finishing was done in line with 32 g / m2 tactile UV gloss varnish in the Digital Embellishment Unit. (Source: pack.consult)

Economic efficiency of digital printing units With all the technical possibilities offered by digital modules, the economic efficiency of their use is dependent on the unit costs of the orders produced on them, i.e. whether an investment in such a system is worthwhile for the user. For calculation purposes, it can be assumed that the investment costs in a printing system with a digital module will increase by approx. 250,000 EUR. How cost-effectively the orders can be produced on it can be determined on the basis of a cost comparison in which the production variants with and without the use of digital modules are compared. The following comparisons of production variants show up to which print runs machine systems with digital modules are more cost-effective.

The intersection of the curves indicates the respective marginal costs, i.e. from what print run a conventional production of the orders is the more cost-effective variant.

Comparison of variants of the print image “Bathlicious” with the DEU In both versions of the bath salt folding carton “Bathlicious”, the coloured design elements are printed on the Gallus Labelfire

Production cost comparison “Bathlicious” folding box printed on a Gallus Labelfire with print finishing via a Digital Embellishment Unit (DEU) and alternatively with coating applied in screen printing. (Source: pack. consult)

“The cost comparison of the “Bathlicious” variants using a TCO calculator (Total Cost of Ownership) shows that the Gallus Labelfire 340 with Digital Embellishment Unit is the more cost-effective option in print runs from 1’000 to 11’500 labels (123 to 1’415 linear meters),” explains Uwe Alexander, Area Sales Manager at Gallus Ferd. Rüesch AG, explaining the evaluation of the cost comparison. “An additional advantage of the digital variant is that a proof or a mock-up can be produced as edition 1, which means that a colour-binding sample is available for print approval before the edition is printed.

From a print run of 11’750 labels (1’446 linear meters), production on the Gallus Labelfire

The Digital Printbar is integrated into a conventional printing press such as the Gallus Labelmaster for print finishing. The “Naturals” print example presented here is a label with four language variants that are printed as an imprint in the dark red text field or directly on the transparent film. The white areas under the flower motif and the red text field as well as the “Naturals” lettering are each presented in screen printing. The remaining design elements are printed in five colours (process colours + special red) in flexographic printing with three multiple copies side by side. The white Chinese characters, the Gallus logo and the words “Printed on Gallus Labelmaster” are printed as an alternate form in screen or digital printing.

The design variants differ in that in the first variant, the languages are printed with the Digital Printbar. The texts are digitally imprinted with UV white in a layer thickness of ≥ 4 µm. The UV ink is cured in a dryer in a conventional Gallus Labelmaster printing unit. Thanks to the digital imprint of the languages, this variant saves set-up times and the production of four screens, as required for the second, third and fourth language variants with screen printing units.

With the “Naturals” label, the variable regional texts are printed with the Digital Printbar. (Source: pack.consult)

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Printbar is the saving of set-up waste, since only 160 running meters (120 + 4 x 10 running meters) of waste are required when printing the language variants, compared to 480 running meters (120 x 4 running meters) for the variant with screen printing unit.

Summary

The comparison for the label “Naturals” shows the production cost curve with Digital Printbar and conventional production in screen printing (Source: pack.consult)

“The cost comparison shows”, explains Uwe Alexander, “that the Gallus Labelmaster 440 variant with integrated Digital Printbar is the more cost-effective variant regardless of the print run.” On the one hand, this is due to the shorter setup time of 53 minutes thanks to the integration of the module. 45 minutes are needed to set up the Labelmaster and 4 x 2 minutes to set up the language variants with the Digital Pintbar. With conventional production, 65 minutes (45 + 4 x 5 minutes) are required to set up the Gallus Labelmaster with screen printing unit. The decisive factor for the cost advantage with the Digital

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The two cost comparisons show that digital modules significantly reduce the unit costs of printing and finishing. Especially for short runs, designs with inline print finishing can be offered at very attractive prices. The cost per 1’000 units is well below that of production variants with conventional work steps. In the comparisons shown here, depending on the application, this can extend to run lengths that are customary in the market, especially when language, text or design variants come into play.

So the arguments of much higher prepress costs or multi-stage production processes no longer stand in the way of digital print finishing. Inline production with digital modules has therefore made the implementation of finishing effects amazingly simple.

The other examples of vodka, champagne and wine labels illustrate the advertising effects available. They show a small excerpt of the appeal of designs with digital finishing and impressively demonstrate the creative freedom that digital modules offer for attractive packaging and label design. For the label and packaging market, the use of digital modules opens up a cost-effective process route to labels and packaging with increased advertising effectiveness.

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Inaugural Food Contact Asia conference attracts international audience Leading food contact experts gathered at Hotel Indigo Shanghai Hongqiao to discuss regulatory landscape, technical and contextual issues of the food contact realm.

Food Contact Asia 2020 conference was a huge success and was held from 19-21 October in Shanghai, China. This year’s conference proved a vital platform for industry stakeholders to share their latest findings, case studies and invaluable insights.

This year’s Food Contact Asia is organized

by Smithers Information and sponsored by UPM Raflatac. The forum dedicated to the food contact value chain, Food Contact Asia 2020 attracted an international audience that spans the entire food contact value chain, including toxicology specialist, regulatory consultant, regulatory technical engineer, product stewardship leader, regulatory affairs manager and more from across the food contact realm.

Conference day one was hosted by David

Ettinger from Keller and Heckman. Under the topics of “China food packaging system and GB standards, Food packaging legislation in other Asian jurisdictions, Global food contact regulatory landscape, in addition to Asia region, and Considerations of food contact compliance”, industry leading professionals gathered to provide attendees with critical updates and insights related to regional changes, industry developments, and regulatory requirements that are crucial to the continued success when navigating international markets.

Dainelli-Policy & Regulatory Affairs made speeches remotely and brought expert insights, a deep understanding of the whole market.

Focusing on “Sustainability and safety in food contact packaging and materials, Case studies of FCM in different applications on compliance/sustainability, Technical consideration in food contact materials”, conference day two was hosted by Marco Zhong, Prof./Director and Dan Li, Researcher at IQTC.

Rui Yang, Product Development Manager, Paper Laminates APAC at UPM Raflatac, in his keynote presented – ‘Case studies on compliance of labels for food contact packaging’.

The two day event featured a panel discussing “Challenges and difficulties facing food contact compliance - perspectives across the value chain”. The speakers shared what are the major challenges and difficulties facing food contact compliance and safety, and how the value chain can collaborate to tackle the challenges together.

Many domestic speakers delivered wonderful speeches onsite and participants actively participated in Q&A sessions. High-calibre speakers from Verisk3E, JHOSPA, Indonesia Packaging Federation, Smithers, Steptoe, Compliance & Risks, Amcor, Nestle, Dario

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KL HI TECH designs and produces Punjab government’s Smart Ration Card P Srinivas Rao, Chairman and CEO, KLHT, in an exclusive talk with PRESSIdeas. Speaks about the details of their recent Smart Ration Card Project for the Punjab State Government.

KL HI TECH (KLHT) has designed and produced the new Smart Ration Card for Punjab government. The new card features SCOSTA chip, QR code and other undisclosed confidential unique security features that make the new card tamper proof high security document.

KL HI-TECH Secure Print Limited (KLHT) is a leading provider of secure print products and printing solutions. Commencing its operations in 1988, KLHT has played a pioneering role in enabling secure payment transactions, banking services and

Of course producing the Smart Ration Cards was a big responsibility with challenges, especially in recent Covid-19 pandemic period. But, KLHT’s experience of working with several Government Organizations on similar projects came handy to make it another success.

Key Notes : > KL HI TECH Secure Print Limited – a leading provider of secure print products and solutions. > The recent milestone is the PDS project (requiring designing and producing of Smart Ration Card) for the Punjab State Government. > The new card features SCOSTA chip, QR code and other undisclosed confidential unique security features.

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facilitating telecommunications in India through its print products. At their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Hyderabad, the company operates using stringent global standards such as ISO9001:2015, ISO14001:2015, BS18001:2007 and ISO27001:2013. KLHT has been a trusted partner to: Central and State Governments; Banks and Financial Institutions; Educational boards & institutions; Telecom Companies; Nationwide Election Commissions; and Transport Utilities.

The recent PDS project has been a big milestone for KLHT, the organisation which has notably been associated with the prominent Aadhaar project earlier.

They printed over 350 million Aadhaar cards – almost

1/4th of the country’s population. Most recently they have begun printing the new PVC Aadhaar cards.

With the Prime Minister announcing the One Nation – One Ration Card scheme, Punjab is one of the first states to implement Smart Ration Cards. That aims to be part of the Prime Minister’s initiative of providing nationwide accepted ration cards. The Punjab Department of Food and Civil Supplies reached out to KLHT to execute this project given their experience and ability.

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“It was a joint effort in designing the cards where the department provided us with the inputs and our skilled team providing various options for the design & capabilities of the card,” comments P Srinivas Rao, Chairman and CEO, KLHT. “By combining our experience, technical know-how & ability to meet deadlines in-spite of large volumes we have been able to successfully achieve this project,” adds Mr. Rao. KLHT offers a range of products and solutions to several industries. They have been a trusted partner to several state governments as well as the central government for their security printing needs. They have printed a host of security documents including Voter IDs, Driver Licenses, Aadhaar cards, Election Ballot Papers etc. Besides, they have banking and telecom sectors as their key clients. They have printed IPO forms, cheque books, passbooks and many more. “Since 2015, after receiving our certification from RuPay, Visa & Mastercard, we began our banking card division and have an increased focus on growing in this field over the last few years by increasing capacity, right technology and onboarding the best manpower,” says Mr. Rao. “KLHT has also been pivotal in the telecom sector over the past few years with production of SIM cards & recharge scratch cards to several countries,” he adds.

Catering to educational boards, they have printed marks sheets, questions papers, migration certificates to name a few. “We are also exploring opportunities this year for RFID products. As technology and the demand for new products are constantly increasing every year, KLHT also makes its best efforts to stay up to date with the changing nature of the world through investment in the best technology & machinery while also

training and finding the best talent for our organization,” continues Mr. Rao. From the inception, one of KLHT’s key products have been printing of lottery tickets.

They have the capacity to print over 50 million tickets per day. Besides, they have supplied over 1 billion recharge scratch cards to Ethio Telecom in Ethiopia and are one of the largest scratch card manufacturers in the world. They received RuPay, Visa and Mastercard certification in 2015 and have exported their various products to over 52 countries.

Taking up the Smart Ration Card challenges Of course producing the Smart Ration Cards was a big responsibility with challenges, especially in recent Covid-19 pandemic period. According to Mr. Rao, infrastructure, certifications and technical and experienced manpower during COVID times was quite a challenge initially. But, their experience of working with several Government Organizations on such projects came handy; they had been associated with the production of UIDAI’s Aadhaar Project.

“Helped by our Aadhaar experience, we were able to create a design and solution and manage delivering the cards on time,” says Mr. Rao who aims to translate this success to more states under the One Nation – One Ration Card scheme. KLHT has been able to produce a total of around 37 lakh cards of which 26 lakh personalized cards were issued in 30 days. It was indeed a great achievement given the huge scale and also the current pandemic scenario.

KLHT worked closely with the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs of Punjab to design a unique card that was both functional with modern technology (SCOSTA Chip & QR Code) while also keeping in mind

security features. “The idea was to create a more streamlined process for the citizens of Punjab to obtain their rations,” informs Mr. Rao. The entire production is being done in different phases. Multiple machineries got involved right from base card printing to chip embedding to encoding and personalization in the project. “The project is being carried out in phases. We are still in the process of producing these cards as we receive the data from the department,” says Mr. Rao. KL HI-TECH has grown over 30 years from catering to a few products to now having a range of products and solutions. “We aim to not only put India on the map in the field of security printing but also be one of the key enablers and partners to different sectors by providing a large-scale impact on the various industries that are a key part of our everyday life,” concludes Mr. Rao.

Smart Ration Card benefits: •

•

•

Having a card like this is almost comparable to a debit card/credit card type usage for rural and marginalized societies of India to obtain their rations.

The idea behind this initiative is to be included under the Prime Minister’s One Nation One Ration card scheme.

Once it is integrated into the scheme, beneficiaries can obtain rations in states that are under the scheme.

The use of technology will also enable the government to not only keep a better track of the rations being provided but improve the reach of these schemes to the entire population.

The card includes beneficiaries’ and their family’s details such as name, address, DoB, the script in the chip which is readable by card machines/readers.

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Domino unveils the N730i digital label press Setting new standards in high performance ink jet label printing.

Domino Printing Sciences recently announced the launch of the Domino N730i digital label press via a live virtual broadcast.

This is a ground-up development and the first to use its new Domino Generation 7 inkjet platform. Philip Easton, Director of the Domino Digital Printing Solutions division commented, “This is the most significant new product we have launched since we started in the digital label press business. It has been a huge collaborative team effort, spread over five years, involving our colleagues at Brother Industries, supplier partners, our development team and our existing customers. Today, we are so proud of what the N730i delivers, as we truly believe it is setting new standards in high-performance inkjet label Printing.”

The N730i incorporates a host of brand new features including the revolutionary Brother BITSTARTM 1200dpi piezo print head, the SunLight graphical user interface, and the latest automated Domino i-Tech intelligent Technology features i-Tech SetAlign and i-Tech CleanCap2.

Louise Adcock, Global Product Manager at Domino Digital Printing Solutions highlights, “We have almost 1,000 global installations already using our existing Generation 6 inkjet platform. During the development of the N730i, we really listened to our customers, so we are confident that this press will enable label converters to get the best return from their digital Printing investment. Based on customer feedback, we focused on three key areas: providing consistent print quality at high speed, ease of use and flexibility.”

Unlike other systems where higher printing speed is at the cost of reduced print quality or reliability, the N730i is designed to print all jobs, including those with ‘silk-screen-like’ white at 70m (230ft)/min, but still with the same consistent high print quality.

The Brother BITSTARTM 1200dpi print head uses a combination of the smallest drop sizes of 2.1pl and nominal drop sizes of 2.8pl and 3.3pl to provide consistent ink density across the image, with sharper edges and smoother gradients. Patented triple-layer

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polycrystalline micro piezo technology minimises cross talk and delivers precise nozzle control for optimum drop placement accuracy.

format allows for automated job set-up and reporting. This also means upward integration with the leading management information systems can be readily achieved.

High Performance 1200dpi Brother BITSTAR Print Head

Offering label printers maximum flexibility, the N730i is available with optional flexo stations for priming to facilitate consistent quality even on the most challenging media types, and for spot colours or varnishing, increasing the range of jobs that can be achieved, or for reverse white for cost-effective shrink sleeve applications. These flexo stations can be retrofitted, providing our customers with greater flexibility as their business needs change.

Domino’s unique intelligent Technology or i-Tech features represent developments designed to measurably improve efficiency, use, function and reliability. i-Tech SetAlign is a new automated system that sets density and accurately aligns the print heads. The result is uniform and seamless print quality across the full web width. Domino has also enhanced performance with i-Tech CleanCap2, an automated print head cleaning and capping system, which is a controlled process reducing manual operator intervention and waste. Other i-Tech features include the established i-Tech ActiFlow, UltraMix, and WebRev. Louise continues, “In basic terms, our customers win business against their competitors on the labels they can produce, they make a profit from delivering them efficiently. The N730i’s consistent high print quality will mean they will win more business, while high speed combined with reliability means they can also print it efficiently.”

The existing user interface has been completely rewritten for the N730i with the development of the new Domino SunLight.

This flexible graphical user interface with its modern look and feel is completely intuitive and highly configurable. A new enhanced version of the industry-standard ESKO Digital Front End has been adopted, including improved variable data printing performance, and producing process colours including orange and violet, for lower ink usage and an increased colour gamut. Support for the industry-standard JDF/JMF data transfer

The N730i includes Domino’s own in-house developed UV90 ink set with excellent fade resistance, achieving a maximum Blue Wool Scale of eight on certain substrates. It has excellent mechanical properties including abrasion and scratch resistance. The UV90 white ink is commonly used by customers as a silk-screen replacement achieving an opacity of up to 76%. The Textures by Domino printing capability enables tactile three-dimensional label design effects to be created for greater shelf appeal.

There is a complete range of services to support the N730i. These include flexible in-house leasing options and the Domino Digital Solutions Programme, which offers

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services. In addition, there is a range of SafeGuard maintenance products based on a monthly subscription, whereby skilled Domino technicians take responsibility for all maintenance, replacement parts and full breakdown cover.

advanced operator training, sales training, production efficiency enhancement and job costing, as well as tailored consultancy

Philip concludes, “When we introduced our N600i and then the N610i digital label presses, our focus was to be as good as flexo. With the N730i, we believe we are offering a quality of output that sets a new high-performance inkjet standard, and

perhaps now flexo needs to start catching up!”

Through a global network of 25 subsidiary offices and in excess of 200 distributors, the Domino Group operates in over 120 countries employing over 2,700 people worldwide with manufacturing facilities situated in UK, China, Germany, India, Sweden and USA.

UPM Raflatac to boost matrix and liner recycling - collaborates in the global industry-wide consortium CELAB. Companies in the pressure-sensitive labeling industry have announced a new global industry-wide consortium, CELAB: Creating the Circular Economy for Labeling.

UPM Raflatac is acting as one of the key collaborators in CELAB to boost matrix and liner recycling in the pressure-sensitive labeling industry. The consortium aims to facilitate collaboration between companies from around the world and across the supply chain to drive progress on and promote solutions for matrix and release liner recycling.

“Our RafCycle recycling service has been developed over the last 10 years and it gives label release liner waste a new life as release liner, face papers, magazine paper and composite material. By bringing our long experience to CELAB, we aim to drive the industry’s shift towards the circular economy together with multiple players in the value chain. Furthermore, we aim to accelerate RafCycle development further by strengthening our service offering,” says Juha Virmavirta, Director, RafCycle solutions, UPM Raflatac.

CELAB is designed to facilitate collaboration at a global level and encourage the universal adoption of best practices while fostering regionally appropriate initiatives and cooperation. CELAB’s structure includes a Global Steering Committee and regional branches. The branches are currently in North America and Europe with plans to soon create branches in South America and the Asia Pacific, accommodating differences in recycling capabilities and systems while

promoting consistency in messaging and process.

“Collaboration is key to building a circular economy. We will continue to develop our RafCycle partnerships with label printers, brands, waste recyclers and industry associations as an integral part of our overall sustainability approach,” Virmavirta continues.

UPM Raflatac has signed up to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. One of its commitments is to enable the partners of RafCycle by UPM Raflatac service to return all their PET and paper release liners.

UPM Raflatac’s RafCycle service has more than 180 partners globally and has expanded in Asia Pacific and North America. UPM

Raflatac recently strengthened its expertise and commitment to partners when Andrea Irazabal joined the company to help develop the RafCycle service further.

UPM Raflatac provides innovative selfadhesive label materials and services, offering high-quality paper and film label stock for branding and promotion, informational labels, and labels with functionality. Operating a global network of factories, distribution terminals and sales offices, the company employs around 3,000 people. UPM Raflatac is part of UPM, which delivers renewable and responsible solutions and innovate for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. It employs 18,700 people worldwide.

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UV Graphic Technologies scores a hat trick of repeat orders for Ultraflex UFO All the customers were particularly impressed with UV Graphic Technologies’ service along with reliability and print performance of these repeated machines boasting ultra low wastage.

UV Graphic Technologies has successfully won three repeat orders for its Ultraflex UFO presses from three of its prestigious customers. Two Pune based customers and one Vasai based customer have repeated their Ultraflex presses. “Shree Multi decided to go for their 2nd machine, an Ultraflex UFO 450 6-colour multi substrate press while Hempra has ordered another 450 10-colour multi substrate press,” says Abhay Datta, Director, UV Graphic Technologies. “Both these customers are from Pune. Also, Vasai based SM Packaging has ordered their 2nd Ultraflex UFO 370 8-colour multi substrate press,” he adds.

Umesh and Pramod Dongre of Shree Multi Labels based in Pune installed their first Ultraflex UFO 370 9-colour flexo press in February 2019. They have confirmed their second order for an Ultraflex UFO 6 colour press to be delivered by end December 2020. Shree Multi specializes in Pressure Sensitive, Filmic Labels and Food Packaging Standup Pouches.

Parveen and Tanish Mutha of Hempra, based in Pune installed their first Ultraflex UFO 450 9-colour flexo press in July 2019. They have confirmed their second order for an Ultraflex UFO 450 8-colour press to be delivered in February 2021. Hempra specializes in Flexible Packaging and Shrink Sleeves.

Mr. Sanjay Vakharia of SM Packaging located in Vasai, Mumbai installed an Ultraflex UFO 370 10-colour press in September 2019 and is engaged in Pressure Sensitive Security, Pharma and In-Mold Labels for the Pharma and F&F industry. Mr. Sanjay ordered his second Ultraflex UFO 370 8-colour press to be delivered in November 2020.

UV Graphic Technologies, with a strong installation base of 23 machines installed and successfully running at different customer locations, registered sales figures of INR 30 million last year. They are pretty positive about the next year and are confident to better their last year’s performance.

The recent COVID-19 hit period has been a bit tough with certain slowdown in the

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two months of lockdown. However, UV Technologies has averted any significant impact on their business through innovation and adaptation. For example, due to limited industry meeting points and networking opportunities, they managed the situation with social media, direct contact with customers and advertising.

“The lockdown gave time to innovative people to remodel their businesses and make wise investment decisions. Investment in the latest and best equipment may look expensive initially, but the high productivity will pay off quickly. It will generate far less waste which will help pay for itself.

Progressive businesses must stay up to date with the most modern trends and implement new technology. They should not rely on second hand obsolete equipment, which may set them back and hamper their growth,” advises Abhay.

The UV Graphic Technologies machines stand out with competitive products in the market for their near zero wastage during press setup, quick job changes, in line finishing, value addition, high speed and reliability. The company provides a range of machines and solutions to the printing industry including: Flexo Presses for Films, Label and In Mould Labels, Digital Finishing Equipment, Die Cutting Machines, Slitter Rewinders, Web Inspection Systems, 100%

Defect Detection Systems, UV Coating and Curing Systems, LED UV Systems and Hot Foil Stamping Machinery. Soon they plan to launch some new products such as High Speed Slitter Rewinder with Turret, Semi Rotary Die Cutting and Hot Foil Stamping and an economic Flexo Press for the B and C Segment.

The three decade long journey of UV Graphic Technologies kicked off with their first major milestone in the 1990’s with the development of their UV Systems. There has been no looking back since then and continuous technological development has spelled their successful trajectory till date. They developed their Off Line Finishing in 2000, and then LED UV Systems in the year in 2014. The Ultraflex range of Flexo Presses came in 2017 and was closely followed by the development of Slitter Rewinders in 2018 and High Speed Hot Foil Stamping in 2019. Their focus for 2020 is Advanced Automation in Label and Packaging.

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YesGo inaugurates Mumbai branch Unique YesGo is the third branch after Delhi and Bangalore branches.

YesGo – the packaging premedia and prepress training institute has inaugurated its third branch. The Mumbai branch – Unique YesGo, got inaugurated on 24th October.

Earlier the institute had branches in Delhi and Bangalore.

Top industry veterans and aspirants from the industry took part in the inaugural event which had Mr. Iqbal Kherodawala, President BMPA as the Chief Guest and Mr. Amit Shah, Secretary BMPA and Mr. Tushar Dhote, President MMS were the Guests of Honor.

The Mumbai branch answers the increasing demand for such branch around the metropolitan.

Course at YesGo Mumbai includes Complete Practical and Customised Packaging Prepress & Premedia Training with Esko Software along with 100 percent placement assurance. It comprises of 3 Levels– Level I, Level II & Expert Level along with Industry Visits for more practical exposure. Training Mode will be Online, Classroom and Onsite based on the comfort of learners. Training Modules will be Individual and Corporate.

YesGo Mumbai will address training and placement requirements for Maharashtra region along with entire Western Zone.

Training will commence from November 2, 2020.

Mr. Nizamappas, Founder YesGo says,

“Packaging is future! Our purpose is to broaden and enlighten the significance and importance of Packaging and its Broad Career Prospects among the young generation as well as entrepreneurs. We endow each aspirant with constantly evolving and upgrading industry’s skills and help the industry get equipped with highly skilled manpower and be productive and growing with constantly changing trends.

Our vision and mission are to be a growth partner for aspirants as well as employers and bridge the demand and supply gap of skilled manpower in the Packaging and Print Industry.”

YesGo imparts training in print and packaging and high end applications to groom skilled manpower for the industry offering flexible times for people from different walks of life and without any age, gender or qualification bar.

Eminent industry people attended the Mumbai branch inauguration. They include: Mr. Sanjay Patel, MD, Param Packaging; Mr. Satish Malhotra, MD, Swanpress; Mr. Nitin Patil, MD, Numex Blocks; Mr. Moses Mallik, Deputy Director, IIP, Mr. Shrihari Rao, Global Head – Printing Technology, Essel Propack; Mr. Arnab Maiti, GM, ESKO; and Mr. Sethunath, MD – Asia Pacific, Reproflex 3.

YesGo is a pioneer institute in Asia for complete Practical Prepress and Packaging Software Training with Esko Software.

Founded in June 2018 in Chennai by printing industry veteran Mr. Nizamappas, YesGo has trained more than 50 persons and placed more than 120 people in top companies in the industry worldwide. YesGo with its innovative training concept is putting its efforts to bridge the demand and supply gap of corporate skilled manpower in print and packaging industry.

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Xeikon adds high-end label press to Panther portfolio - introduces 7 colour Xeikon PX30000 UV Inkjet label press.

Xeikon has announced the addition of a high-end label press to its Panther portfolio to meet a need in the market and extend the company’s comprehensive offering, broadening the application reach. The new Xeikon PX30000 UV Inkjet Label Press provides high productivity levels and is equipped with 8 printing stations, two of which are used to achieve high opaque white layers at maximum speed. This UV inkjet label press is driven by Xeikon’s popular X-800 digital front end with exceptional capabilities, all geared to maximise digital print manufacturing.

The Xeikon PX30000 UV inkjet press offers a cost-effective and fast time-to-market solution for short to medium run flexo jobs. It provides the label printer with opportunities to produce a wide range of digitally printed labels with a glossy tactile look, optimum durability and high levels of resistance against scuffing and scratching. The press is designed to appeal in particular to label printers working in the high-end markets of health and beauty, chemicals and premium beers. Label printers looking for faster turnaround times, reduced production costs and lower complexity will be able to explore new business possibilities offered by digital printing. Xeikon’s PX30000 is now available for demonstration at Xeikon’s Global Innovation Center and is commercially available in Europe and North America.

High-end, digital production Filip Weymans, VP Marketing at Xeikon, states, “The addition of this high-end, digital production label press is an important step in the Xeikon strategy. Adding the Xeikon PX30000 to our portfolio enhances the Xeikon offering that already was the most comprehensive in the market. Label printing companies can now opt for a dry toner press or an inkjet press, for an entry-

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level solution or a fully geared high-end production press, from a 5 colour engine up to a 7 colour engine. We are convinced that the appropriate and ideal choice a printing customer makes depends on their business strategy and their choice of end-use applications”.

Trusted advisor and solutions provider Weymans continues, “We are recognised as a ‘go-to’ trusted advisor and solutions provider. Throughout the years, Xeikon has developed a suite of the most relevant services available, supporting its customers in developing and selling new applications, helping them with the integration of digital printing within their existing environments, and also assisting them in automating their complete label production. Apart from integration capabilities, the X-800 workflow enables further automation for complete label production. Making use of its intelligent imposition algorithms to position the labels on the web can help reduce costs by optimizing production times. There are no challenges too great for this powerful workflow – even the most demanding variable data jobs or labels where the track and trace functionality is required – Xeikon’s X-800 workflow is unsurpassed. Xeikon has the long-standing expertise and deeper understanding to help label printers with all aspects of running a successful digital label print business, from choice of equipment to workflow integration and expert colour management services. Xeikon helps the label printer transform to a digital manufacturer.”

The Xeikon PX30000 digital press is a highly versatile solution offering an impressive range of capabilities and features. As for all Xeikon digital printing technology, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) can

be optimised using the available Xeikon Premium Services. The Xeikon PX30000 UV inkjet press platform, driven by Xeikon’s X-800 workflow, can be easily integrated into any existing workflow environment. For flexibility and a wider range of applications, the press has extended colour gamut capability. It comes with a choice of 2 configurations – 6 or 7 colour – and full colour management controls. With a maximum speed of 70m/min (229ft/min) and using opaque white, the press is designed for maximum efficiency and industry leading productivity. This roll-to-roll, full rotary press prints on substrate widths up to 340mm (13,4”).

Addition to portfolio Weymans adds, “The addition of the Xeikon PX30000 high-end label press to our portfolio immediately gives Xeikon a broader reach.

We are committed to our vision of a digital future for Labels and Packaging. We are the only company dedicated to a true consultative approach, offering both dry toner and inkjet technologies and therefore the most comprehensive choice of digital solutions.

An investment in the Xeikon PX30000 high-end label press with high productivity and extended colour gamut will ensure an amazing opportunity for label printers working with high-end products to provide brand owners with unique, creative and durable, high-quality labels. Importantly, working with Xeikon means ease of mind, knowing not only that they can provide the widest range of digital equipment, but that they will also advise on the best choice of product for specific business needs.

Weymans concludes, “We have continued to build and structure our comprehensive portfolio so that our customers can find everything they need from Xeikon. We believe it’s not just about finding the right digital equipment, it’s about working with a trusted partner who can offer the appropriate digital solution for any business model. We will continue to be on hand at all times to give confidence and continued support to our customers on their digital journey.”

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Nuvae and Constantia launch EcoLamPlus Nuvae Healthcare and Constantia Flexibles unveil a fully recyclable packaging solution. life, free from germs and illness. For this reason, Nuvae and Constantia Flexibles joined forces for a complete recyclable packaging made of EcoLamPlus.

Constantia Flexibles has announced its newest customer – Ahmedabad based Nuvae Healthcare, another milestone in the company’s journey to bring the recyclable flexible packaging solution EcoLamPlus to consumers.

Nuvae Healthcare’s mission is to inspire a healthy and hygienic living with convenience provided by them. They are committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and consistency, which is why Nuvae Healthcare handcrafts one of its most important products the ‘GOSAN Hand Sanitizer’ in small batches. GOSAN is an easy-to-use 70% alcohol-based hand sanitizer for water-free cleansing. Especially in these times, facing a pandemic, it is key to keep our hands clean at all times. So, the main purpose of the hand sanitizer is to support people to live a healthy and hygienic

EcoLamPlus laminate is one of Constantia Flexibles’ products in the monopolymer EcoLam packaging family based on PE. It is ideal to replace non-recyclable multipolymer structures where water vapor and oxygen barrier are needed, also it helps to sustain highly volatile products like alcohol. This makes EcoLamPlus a flexible packaging that is completely recyclable. Constantia Flexibles and Nuvae Healthcare cooperate closely to ensure the hand sanitizer remains efficient while the packaging remains recyclable.

“It’s a huge honour for us to partner with Nuvae Healthcare Pvt Ltd as our valued customer and to package their outstanding product, GOSAN Hand Sanitizer, with our recyclable EcoLamPlus laminates. Health and safety is one of our key pillars and that’s why Nuvae Healthcare is such a strong partner for us”, says Tony Sirohi, Executive Chairman, Constantia Flexibles India, and

adds: “We are glad to have this successful and sustainable venture. We are looking forward to further joint projects.”

“We are very proud of our unique formula of GOSAN. It revolutionizes personal hygiene by making it simple and highly effective. GOSAN products are paraben free, cruelty free, and vegan. The health and wellbeing of all people is our first priority. Therefore, it makes sense to also use packaging that is fully recyclable, just like EcoLam Plus. It’s a perfect combination of protecting the environment and our customers”, explains Utsavi Parekh, Director, Nuvae Healthcare.

Constantia Flexibles is the world’s third largest producer of flexible packaging.

Based on the guiding principle of ‘People, Passion, Packaging’, some 8,350 employees manufacture tailor-made packaging solutions at 39 sites in 16 countries. Many international companies and local market leaders from the consumer and pharma industries choose the sustainable and innovative products of Constantia Flexibles.

VINSAK installs Lombardi Synchroline at Aquarius Printing Press of UAE The installed press, a Lombardi Synchroline 430 features delam-relam, web turn, cold/ hot foil stamping and wider deckle etc.

VINSAK, the exclusive distributor of Lombardi presses in the Region, has installed a new Lombardi Synchroline press at Aquarius Printing Press LLC in the UAE. As part of expansion coupled with diversification, the company has already installed an 8 colour Flexo Press to cater to the Pressure Sensitive Labels segment and in the near future to shrink sleeves and IML. The press installed is Lombardi Synchroline 430 that has facilities for delam-relam, web turn, cold foil/hot foil stamping. With a wider deckle, compared to the regular presses, the advantage is faster turn- around of jobs.

The quality policy of “Aquarius Printing Press LLC” is to ensure “Accuracy For Your Printing”. Absolute commitment to quality, meticulous attention to detail and

unparalleled level of service has made Aquarius Printing Press a leading specialist in Design, Prepress, Printing and distribution services. Employing a dedicated staff and investing in the very best technology it delivers the best quality label solutions to help its customers build and grow their brands. With the newly acquired press, Aquarius plans to cater to the Shrink sleeves segment and also to exploit the board printing capabilities on the Synchroline. It aims to cater to wider printing and packaging requirements in the MENA region.

VINSAK provided active support and helped Aquarius finalize on the Synchroline Flexo machine and then install and begin production even during the times of the Pandemic.

Lombardi Converting Machinery S.p.A. is a 30 year old Italian company and is known for production and distribution, narrow web and wide web flexographic in-line presses.

With this new installation, the UAE alone has 8 Machines installed in the last 4 years. All over, Lombardi has installed more than 300 In Line Flexo presses globally with about 80 being sold in the VINSAK territories.

Lombardi has also recently launched its I2 series of Mid and wide web in line Flexo presses for flexible packaging.

October 2020

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Scodix launches expanded digital enhancement portfolio of 6 new presses Tailored to industry sectors, the new Scodix Ultra Series delivers fast growth opportunities for businesses of all sizes and markets.

Scodix, provider of pioneering digital enhancement solutions for the graphic arts industry, recently commercially launched the next generation of its Ultra Digital Enhancement Press Series, consisting of six presses, each targeted to a specific market segment.

Having demonstrated its expertise in equipment for the commercial, packaging and W2P markets, Scodix has developed the Ultra Press Series to fully address the needs of each sector. Scodix CEO, Eli Grinberg, elaborates: “As the world’s most innovative and experienced company in digital print enhancement, with over 400 presses installed around the world, we’re now launching one expanded product line that’s been designed to meet the needs of all of our customers across all of these industry sectors. Whatever the application, enhancement, or budget requirement, we have a solution within this series. Print service providers can choose the press that will best support the future growth of their business.”

Web-2-Print Aimed at the W2P market, the Scodix Ultra 3000 and Ultra 4000 presses both incorporate Scodix Studio W2P software.

Developed with the success of companies such as Shutterfly and District Photo in mind, the Ultra 3000 focusses on Web2Print, whilst the Ultra 4000, allowing larger format substrates and pallet feeders and stackers, is aimed at Web2Pack printers.

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Commercial & Speciality Offering the same print areas and range of substrates, the Scodix Ultra 1000 and 2000 presses are distinguished by the number of applications available – and consequently are offered to the market at different price points. The Ultra 1000 delivers accessible digital enhancement whilst the Ultra 2000 offers all Scodix applications on one platform, including automatic polymer switching for superior productivity.

Packaging The Scodix Ultra 5000 and 6000 both allow the thicker substrates required for packaging applications – up to 2mm – and incorporate industrial pallet feeders and stackers. Whilst the Ultra 6000 offers a larger format, it comes with a simplified range of enhancements.

The six new presses in the series succeed the Ultra 101 and 202, whilst the Scodix E106 press is still available for B1 folding carton applications.

Grinberg adds, “By incorporating digital enhancement, print providers can expand their service offerings with attention-grabbing applications, improving customer retention rates in these notoriously fickle times, whilst boosting margins and ultimately profitability.

Whether the products are purchased traditional or through Web2Pack or Print channels, Scodix enhances products from premium business and greeting cards, folders, head-turning book covers, audienceengaging brochures to stand-out labels and

packaging, folding cartons, rigid boxes, point-of-display and security markings always with a focus on fine detail and high quality results.

“By launching this segmented product portfolio, we are increasing the number of customers that can employ Scodix, and we are offering Scodix value to more brands, print buyers and consumers of print. This is truly the next era for the Scodix business.”

Through the Scodix Ultra family of presses, and the Scodix E106 press, Scodix offers a range of applications including: Scodix Sense with exceptional tactile results for embossed effects, Scodix Foil delivering unmatched foil enhancement capabilities, Scodix Spot for silkscreen effects, Scodix VDP/VDE (with barcode) for personalization, Scodix Metallic for metallic colouring, Scodix Glitter for illustrating the effects of glitter, Scodix Braille, Scodix Crystal creating real 3D sparkling effects, and Scodix Cast&Cure illustrating holographic dramatic effects.

What is more, all Scodix applications are manufactured on a single Scodix digital enhancement press.

pressideas/ plc

Durst celebrates 100th Tau RSC platform press installation Durst will be celebrating a 100th installation milestone at a customer site for its highly successful Tau RSC technology platform only two years after a successful market launch. A major label converter in Europe becomes the 100th customer of a Durst Tau 330 RSC UV inkjet single-pass label press, which will be providing high quality label production with unmatched productivity and uptime levels to the customer.

Huge interest was created when Durst originally unveiled the Tau 330 RSC at Labelexpo 2017 in Brussels, Belgium. Visitors and competitors were surprised by what Durst’s RSC technology promised in terms of print quality and productivity performance, with 1200x1200 dpi resolution and 80 linear meters printing speed at full colour.

Nine months later and after a successful beta-test of this new and groundbreaking printing technology, Durst started delivery of the first Tau 330 RSC presses. Since then,

increasing numbers of small, medium and large-sized label converter have opted for the new benchmark platform in UV inkjet, a Durst Tau 330 RSC, the more economical Tau 330 RSC E or the new Tau RSCi. Since the middle of this year, Durst has continued installations with the first Tau RSCi 330 / 420 / 510 label presses, which form the latest press portfolio expansion of Durst’s Tau RSC platform.

Helmuth Munter, Durst’s Segment Manager, Label & Flexible Packaging, said:

“Introduced two years ago, the Tau 330 RSC and Tau 330 RSC E set a new benchmark in label printing. Now with 100 installations around the world we feel honored by the trust and confidence in Durst of our satisfied Tau RSC users. We are confident – and continuous positive customer feedback backs this - that our updated Tau RSC platform will continue to set the benchmark for the future of industrial digital inkjet printing in the label and packaging industry.”

Cosmo Films launches BOPP clear thermal lamination film with Antimicrobial properties Cosmo Films, provider of specialty films for packaging, lamination & labeling applications and synthetic paper, has developed a novel BOPP based clear thermal lamination antimicrobial film.

The antimicrobial technology used in this film tackles the globally growing problem of bacterial infections on packaged items, by providing a completely new approach of preventing microbial colonization on the surface. This antimicrobial film is effective against a broad range of bacteria, inhibits germ growth and supports optimum hygiene. It also shows positive effect against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 as per JIS Z 2801 certification.

The film has an extrusion coated surface with low temperature melting resin, which enables easy lamination of film on paper products by heat and pressure. This technology is safe, affordable and can be easily replicated into all types of labels, flexible packaging solutions and synthetic paper.

Cosmo’s antimicrobial technology is Eco-

friendly, food safe and human safe. It has excellent resistance to elongation & tear and excellent optical properties (gloss > 95). The film fiber has excellent tear bond strength with paper and a maximum lamination temperature in the range of 100-129 degree C. It can be used for a wide variety of applications such as Magazines, Books, Promotional Items, Textbooks, leaflets, cartons, diaries, Shopping Bags and many more.

Speaking on the globally growing problem of bacterial infections, Mr. Pankaj Poddar, CEO, Cosmo Films said: “Amid this pandemic, we all are searching for ways to stay safe and healthy. Washing our hands continuously and disinfecting every product we touch to prevent the spread of bacteria have become part of our daily routine. Cosmo’s antimicrobial technology will prove to be effective against a broad range of bacteria.”

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signage printing

XAAR sets vision for the future The inkjet printing technology group has outlined a new strategy to return to sustainable long-term growth.

Inkjet printing technology group, Xaar has outlined a new strategy to return to sustainable long-term growth. Alongside this, Xaar has launched the ImagineX bulk printhead platform which will deliver new product capabilities and unveiled a new forward looking brand identity.

Innovation and collaboration with its global partners are at the heart of the new Xaar. This, combined with a focus on sectors where Xaar bulk printhead technology has a competitive advantage, is providing a clear product roadmap that is already winning several new accounts in existing and new markets.

Xaar has invested around £70m in R&D in recent years and this has been critical to developing the ImagineX bulk platform which will drive a step change in performance enhancements including printing at resolutions up to 1440dpi and speeds of 150kHz, as well the capability to operate at temperatures over 200ºC and viscosities above 100cP. Xaar’s new printheads will also be able to handle all ink types, including aqueous, ensuring they meet the latest demands from new applications.

John Mills, CEO of Xaar, commented: “Xaar has led innovation in inkjet technologies over the last 30 years. ImagineX will power this for the next 30 and

Alongside the launch of the ImagineX printhead platform, new branding has been created to emphasise Xaar’s renewed focus on product development and growth.

Key Notes : > New strategy to drive sustainable long-term growth. > Launch of ImagineX platform to power Xaar products for the next 30years. > New corporate identity and a new Xaar.

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provide the basis for the next significant chapter in our history, enabling industries and our OEMs to push the boundaries of what’s possible with powerful, reliable and efficient inkjet technology.”

Alongside the launch of the ImagineX printhead platform, new branding has been created to emphasise Xaar’s renewed focus on product development and growth, with a clear ‘go-tomarket’ strategy based around strong collaboration with its global partners. A new website at www. xaar.com drives home the advantages of Xaar’s products, focusing on the value and capabilities of its printheads and services.

“This partnership approach, combined with the expertise of our committed, creative and passionate team of world-class colleagues, will allow us to further demonstrate the huge capabilities of inkjet technology and create a world where if you can imagine it, you can print it. In this way, we will help to transform entire industries,” said John.

“We have great technology, great people and a large market opportunity. Together we will be successful– and we now have a strong printhead platform and brand identity that truly reflects this. These are exciting times.”

John presented Xaar’s vision at the Future Print Virtual Summit on 13thOctober, titled “Xaar: The New Roadmap for Inkjet”. The session was open to all.

pressideas/ signage

Durst acquires majority stake in Vanguard Digital Printing

Durst, manufacturer of advanced digital printing and production technologies has acquired a majority stake in Vanguard Digital Printing Systems. Vanguard Digital is a known name manufacturing printing systems for the signage, decoration, corporate, industrial and packaging sectors. With the acquisition, Durst adds new printer classes to its large format portfolio, while Vanguard now has a global distribution and service network and technical resources to continue developing robust solutions.

“Vanguard Digital Printing Systems is a rapidly growing and very successful company in a customer segment in which we are currently not active,” said Tim Saur, President of Durst North America. “Through the combination of high-quality products,

a strong management team and absolute customer orientation, both companies are a perfect match.”

As part of the agreement, the new company operates as Vanguard Durst Digital Printing Systems with effect from October 1, 2020.

David Cich remains CEO while Jim Peterson continues to serve as Vice President of Sales.

“It is with great humbleness and excitement that Vanguard Digital will now be a part of the world class industry leading Durst Group,” said David Cich, CEO of Vanguard Digital Printing Systems. “Becoming part of the Durst Group Family, provides Vanguard Digital the opportunity to expand its portfolio of innovative market leading UV Printers to the entire world.”

“Vanguard’s printing systems have rightly achieved rapid growth and high customer acceptance in the North American market,” said Christoph Gamper, CEO and co-owner of the Durst.

“Despite the global pandemic, we are positioning ourselves for the long term and are determined to invest in the largeformat graphics market. In addition, with our technical expertise, Vanguard will continue to ensure that its products and services are industry-leading and a wider customer base will understand what it is like to be part of the Durst family. “

Events Calendar Labelexpo India 2020

mediaexpo Mumbai 2021

The Print Show

Date: 02 DEC -20 to 05 DEC - 20 Venue: India Expo Centre, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR

Date: 04 MAR -21 to 06 MAR - 21 Venue: Bombay Exhibition Center, Mumbai

Date: 28 SEP -21 to 30 SEP-21 Venue: NEC Birmingham, UK

The Sign Show Gartex Texprocess India

Drupa 2021

Date: 17 DEC -20 to 19 DEC - 20 Venue: Greater Noida (Mumbai edition takes place in MAR’20)

Date: 20 APR -21 to 30 APR-21 Venue: Dusseldorf, Germany

China Print 2021 Screen Print India Date: 17 DEC -20 to 19 DEC - 20 Venue: India Expo Mart, Delhi-NCR

Date: 23 JUN -21 to 27 JUN-21 Venue: New China International Exhibition Center Beijing, China

Date: 28 SEP -21 to 30 SEP-21 Venue: NEC Birmingham, UK

Readers are required to confirm the dates of the exhibition from the organizers. This is a reader service provided by PRESSIdeas and the company cannot be held responsible for any error or omission.

If your event is not listed in the above list, kindly write to us at info@pressideas.com with subject as event and we shall gladly be including the same as above.

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