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Become a key player in market with specialized, niche area of production: Amit Radia, Atlas Group CEO

Atlas Group CEO Amit Radia in a conversation with Bandana Shah shares his print journey, defines success and also gives tips on how to survive and thrive in the industry. 

Born in Kenya, Atlas Group CEO Amit Radia is a British resident who graduated from United States International University in San Diego and moved to the UK at the age of 21 in 1981, marking the start of his print journey.

Though his family had connections with print for three generations, Radia had dreams of a career in media. And as luck would have it, within eight years of working at UK-based printer Clementine, he became the company’s general manager.

“I was sent to Dubai in 1992 for a short assignment for an international company and in 1994 I began to explore the print

"Market is picking up with demand, but everyone’s watching how they spend"

In a conversation with Bandana Shah, director of Necessity Squared FZE LLC  Sulaiman Nisar, shares his business story along with challenges in the market and future plans.

Born in Abu Dhabi, director of Necessity Squared FZE LLC Sulaiman Nisar is a South African resident of Indian origin.

With a background in electronics engineering and automation robotics from India and South Africa, postgraduate tech nerd Nisar started out as a designer and developer of machinery in the pathology industry. His

Canon UVgel: Solving the Wide Format Productivity Puzzle

Ayman Ali, senior marketing manager – B2B, Canon Middle East, explains to Venkat Raghavan, assistant editor of PrintWeek MEA.

The digital revolution in wide format printing for signage and graphics has undoubtedly opened up many avenues of opportunity for print service providers (PSPs). Developments in hardware, media and inks over the last decade have enabled PSPs to diversify their product offerings and extend their business capabilities.

The continuing good news for signage and graphics

We always wanted to do something new rather than staying behind

Shekhar Dhana, director of Dprint Advertising LLC, Dubai shares his technical experience, market challenges and narrates future of the printing industry in the coming years.

Born and raised in Chennai, India, Shekhar Dhana completed his Diploma in printing technology at Institute of Printing Technology, Central Institute of Technology, Chennai. Later he completed his Master’s in Business Administration. He also pursued few courses related to supply chain management and procurement studies. He

Everyone can bounce back if they have their hope and works towards it

Amit K. Singhal, director of Global Packaging FZE, Sharjah in conversation with Venkat Raghavan, shares his views on the current packaging industry and his future plans.

Originally from and raised in Mumbai, Amit K. Singhal completed his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry in 1995 from Guru Khalsa College, Mumbai and prior to that he completed his schooling from Pathak College in Santacruz, Mumbai. After completing his degree, he joined National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT), Mumbai to

Ability to maintain quality service at reasonable price is our success

Khaled Abdulla Yousef Abdulla Aal Abdulla, chief executive officer of Majan Printing & Packaging, LLC in conversation with Venkat Raghavan

Born and raised in Ras Al Kaimah, United Arab Emirates, Khaled Abdulla Yousef Abdulla Aal Abdulla completed his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (major in computer information systems) from University of Arkansas at Little Rock, USA. After completing his education, he was fascinated with the breakthrough in the printing industry and activities

Authentication vs Authorization: What’s the difference? Why should you care?

April Bourne, LSS Black Belt, Xerox manager sales enablement and training, research & product development, in discussion with Venkat Raghavan – assistant editor of PrintWeek MEA.

There’s a big difference between gaining successful entrance to the king’s castle (Authentication) and what you are allowed to do once you are inside (Authorization). Chances are, as a visitor, your actions and movement will be restricted and for good reason. Just because you got through that big iron door does not

Staying ahead of the market requires quick adaptation to change

Kumail Ali Khalfan, CEO of Sign Works, in conversation with Venkat Raghavan, shares his knowledge about the signage and printing industry and explains where the industry is heading.

Born and raised in New York, Kumail Ali Khalfan completed all his education in the United States. After completing his education, he worked in the industry in New York before coming to UAE. He came to the UAE in 2010 to join Sign Works, which was then managed by his father, Safder Ahmed Khalfan.
Speaking about his

Demand for lightweight media drives new possibilities in mono

Ayman Ali, senior marketing manager – B2B, Canon Middle East, explains to Venkat Raghavan, assistant editor of PrintWeek MEA.

For today’s digital print service providers (PSPs) and in-house print rooms operating with small format cut-sheet digital presses, the capability to print on lighter weight substrates is opening up a vast array of opportunities, thanks to four key market drivers which are stimulating increased demand for lightweight applications.

Growing legislation – Widening

Never compromise on quality for making some short term benefits

Babu Varghese, managing director of Al Bony Printing Press, Sharjah in conversation with Venkat Raghavan, shares his knowledge about the printing industry and explains where the industry will be heading.

Born and raised in Kottayam, Kerala, India, Babu Varghese completed his education from his home town. After completing his education, he opened a printing press in India. In late 1980s Varghese came to UAE with all his managerial experience and capabilities to explore the opportunities.
Speaking

Success can be attained in business only after achieving the desired output

Shawaf Muhammad Sheriff, director of Ajmal Printing Press, Sharjah in conversation with Venkat Raghavan, shares his technical experience.

Hailing from UAE, Shawaf Muhammad Sheriff completed all his schooling at New Indian Modern School, Sharjah. Later, he did his Bachelor in Electrical & Electronic Engineering at BITS Pilani and completed the same in 2010. After completing his education in Bachelor degree, he decided to do post graduation in Energy and did it in Heriot Watt University. After

Honesty, quality and servicing will let you to do a successful business

Mazen Al Awamleh, managing director of Intaglio Security Printing and Royal Advertising, UAE in conversation with Venkat Raghavan, explains the market opportunities

Born and raised in Jordan, Mazen Al Awamleh completed his education in his home country.  While pursuing his education he had his own interest in business and ventured it. With the interest in security, he started his own security printing press in Jordan. Later in 1997, he came to Dubai and started his own company.
Speaking about his

What does the office of the future look like?

Anurag Agrawal, managing director, Canon Middle East, in discussion with Venkat Raghavan – assistant editor of PrintWeek MEA.

Over the past decade, we have witnessed the evolution of offices to become more open, light and comfortable to help professionals relax so that they can be more productive. But visions for the ‘office of the future’ are making a leap in response to rapid technology advancements in automation, IoT and voice activation which are all set to play a bigger role in future ways

Interview with Andy Thomas-Emans, strategic director, Labelexpo Global Series

Where is the packaging and printing industry heading towards?
Technology trends include hybrid printing, combining digital and conventional print and finishing technologies. We are also seeing a trend towards shorter runs caused by brands moving to multiple SKUs, personalisation and customisation. These trends will continue. Both packaging and commercial printers are also becoming a one-stop shop for brands, and in response to this, we recently launched our new Brand Print portfolio of events

Everyone has to evaluate the market before making any huge investment

Noor Khan, general manager of Middle East Printing Press, LLC in conversation with Venkat Raghavan, shares his four decades of printing industry experience and narrates the future of the printing and where it’s heading towards.

Born and brought up in Pakistan, Noor Khan has completed all his school from Karachi. He has completed his Masters in Political Science from Karachi University. He landed in UAE, Dubai in 1979 and directly joined Dubai Islamic Bank Printing Press. He worked for 24 years

Relationship, quality and timing are the three core-values of every business

Sunny Thomas, general manager of Pen Printing Press, Ajman in conversation with Venkat Raghavan, shares his knowledge about the printing industry and explains where the industry will be heading in the coming years.

Born and raised in Kottayam, Kerala, India, Sunny Thomas completed his schooling in Kerala and bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from NSS College affiliated to Calicut University - Palakkadu, India. He opened a printing press in India in 2002. In the year 2011, Thomas came

Starchless depositing of gelatin gummies

Bosch Packaging Technology, unveiled its starchless depositing method for the production of pure gelatin gummies in silicone molds. Venkat Raghavan – assistant editor of PrintWeek MEA talked to Frank Jansen, product manager at Bosch Packaging Technology about this new production method.

What are the most important trends in confectionery production in your opinion?
We have identified growth opportunities for various product groups. According to research conducted by Allied Market Research, the

SGI Dubai 2019 is all set to welcome more than 400 exhibitors across the world

Sharif Rahman, CEO, IEC, gives an open talk to Venkat Raghavan, assistant editor of PrintWeek MEA.

Volumes have become shorter and shorter, publishers and advertisers are looking to attract dedicated groups of people, so in which way the event would be helpful for the visitors and exhibitors?

SGI Dubai has been a good partner for advertisers and publishers. While the market situation has caused some organisations to cut down on spends, it has also made many organisations invest strategically in

Hardwork and teamwork is needed for every company for taking it to next level

Shijo Lonappan, director of Silver Point Printing Press, LLC, Sharjah in conversation with Venkat Raghavan, shares his opinion about the current printing trends and where the printing industry is heading towards.

Born and brought up in Trissur, Kerala, Shijo Lonappan completed all his education from his home town. After completing his education, he managed a screen printing division and he learnt all the basics of printing from the press. He worked for eight years in India and then something

Always work with business ethics but never compromise on pricing

Suresh Mathew, managing director of Right Concepts Advertising LLC, Dubai in conversation with Venkat Raghavan, explains the market opportunities for fabric media in the coming years.

Born and raised in Kerala, India, Suresh Mathew studied in CMS High School and CMS College in his home town Kottayam, Kerala. He worked in various industries before venturing into the printing industry. In the year 2000, Mathew came to Dubai, later along with the partners he started his own business.

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Li: It’s your time to shine forever”

Pui-Chi Li, head of marketing for the Middle East and Africa at Xerox – speaks to Venkat Raghavan – assistant editor of PrintWeek MEA

There were many industries which was doing far better than printing industry when you have graduated so what inspired you to start your career in printing industry?

Initially – like many young people–I joined an industry rather by coincidence after pursuing a job listing for a role I believed would be a prospective one in a region I felt was dynamic. That

Smart Packaging brings visibility into pharmaceutical supply chain

Carro Ford, content marketing strategist at Xerox, in discussion with Venkat Raghavan - assistant editor of PrintWeek MEA magazine.

While the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries pursue the goal of improving lives, they face a raft of challenges. It’s increasingly expensive to bring new formulas to market.

Competition is fierce, especially from generic medicines. As aging populations require more healthcare, governments want to decrease reimbursement rates. Compliance rules abound

The print industry in the region, must focus on their credit period to clients

Manish Mukundan, director of Liberty Printing Press, Ajman in conversation with Venkat Raghavan, shares his intuition about the industry.

Born and raised in UAE, Manish has completed all his schooling from Dubai. He had a passion towards printing industry since his childhood, which made him to join London College of Communication in London, England for pursuing his education in BA (Hons) in Print Media Management. Later in 2010, he came back to UAE and joined his family business. He also has a

Kutty practices ‘honesty as the best policy’ in his daily business practices

Rajesh K Kutty, managing partner, Col.Art Publishing and Advertising LLC, UAE, in conversation with Venkat Raghavan talks of his experiences.

Born and raised in Mumbai, India, Rajesh K Kutty completed his graduation in Commerce from Kelkar College, Mumbai & post graduated (PG) from Mumbai University. After completing his PG, he worked in India for some years and later came to Dubai to join the family business.
Speaking about his career and how he got into printing, Rajesh K Kutty, from

Obeidat: We are growing in Middle East

In this interview Abdallah Obeidat, sales director MET, OKI Europe – speaks to Venkat Raghavan - assistant editor of PrintWeek MEA

How did your career start? What did bring you to the printing industry?
I started my profession as a computer engineer. But soon I realised that I had a passion towards colour which pushed me to study more about them. I did research and read about colour management, colour phenomena and related facts for two years. After gaining the knowledge in colour management, I

Six ways to attain growth by thinking differently about your business

Lawrence Lee, VP, incubation and strategy at Xerox, in discussion with Venkat Raghavan – assistant editor of PrintWeek MEA.

In the age of digital disruption, every company needs to think differently about their business – both to grow beyond their core markets, and to head off competition from new entrants. But often the exact skills that helped companies succeed in the past prevent them from finding success in the future. At Xerox we have reinvented the company multiple times as technologies