SPG Prints launches UV-inkjet low-migration inks

Screen and digital print equipment manufacturer SPGPrints has launched a range of low-migration UV inkjet inks to comply with food safety regulations and meet growing demand for digitally printed food packaging.

The inks, which the firm launched are specially optimised for the Netherlands-based firm’s own DSI (Digital System Integration) press.  

 They meet the guidelines of the European Printing Ink Association (EuPIA) and are compliant with the Swiss Ordinance on Materials and Articles

Staff Writer, 15 October 2014

Direct Print ups flexo business with Kodak’s Flexcel NX buy

Casablanca, Morocco-based Direct Print has purchased the Flexcel NX system from Kodak to facilitate its foray into packaging/ flexographic segment in North Africa.

“We opted for Kodak solutions in order to facilitate our expanding business in the flexo printing industry,” said Younes Benchekroun, managing director at DirectPrint. “When developing our investment plans into the flexo printing industry we realised, very quickly, that Kodak flexo solutions help deliver high-impact flexible

Staff Writer, 14 September 2014

Advertising company switches to digital print technology

The local print service provider from Qatar, Al Murshed advertising befitted permissible to knock into the growing demand for producing high-end marketing when they bought the digital printing from Canon Middle East, a leader in the imaging solutions. Operating for the last two decades as one of the top advertising business, the company has expanded its business from traditional offset printing to digital with the installation of Canon imagePRESS C6010 Colour Printing System.
“Print service

Venkat Raghavan, 13 August 2014

Fastsigns unveils expansion plans in UAE and North Africa

Fastsigns International, the worldwide franchisor for the more than 550 Fastsigns sign, graphics and visual communications centres, has signed master franchise agreements for growth to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and North Africa.
The company will expand its presence in the Middle East,  by opening 12 centres in the UAE, and 24 centres in North Africa, particularly Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.  
CEO of Fastsigns Catherine Monson said, “There is strong demand for our products and

Staff Writer, 08 July 2014

Canon, Intercol launch showroom and service center in Bahrian

Canon Middle East  and International Agencies Co.Ltd. (Intercol) launched the first exclusive Canon showroom and service centre in Manama, Bahrain. The showroom will feature Canon’s complete portfolio of products for both consumers and the workplace.

Anurag Agrawal, Canon ME’s managing director, said: “The newly dedicated showroom and service centre in Bahrain will provide customers the opportunity to receive direct advice on products from Canon professionals. The variety of solutions

Staff Writer, 26 May 2014

Photocenter, Oman to resell two new products from Fujifilm

Photocentre, Fujifilm’s official agent in Oman has launched the X-Series Camera range, for professionals and the ‘Smartlab’ Frontier-S, a compact inkjet printer in the region.

Commenting on the two new launches, Mohammed Farei, managing director of Photocentre said, “Both these products showcase the best of what Fujifilm can offer, albeit in two completely different categories within the market. They stand as a testament to the versatility and quality of Fujifilm products in the photography

Staff Writer, 14 May 2014

Kyocera, OFFTEC host workshop in Jordan

Japanese manufacturer of printers and photocopiers, Kyocera and its exclusive distributor OFFTEC hosted a training workshop in Jordan on photocopying and printing management practices in start-ups and large enterprises.

The workshop, which was attended by several OFFTEC employees, covered a variety of topics, including the best methods to align selling activities, conduct effective pre-call planning and research, stimulate interest and establish credibility, control and manage sales cycles

Staff Writer, 26 April 2014

Al Khalaf Advertising invests in LF UV-flatbed 460GT printer

Commercial printers and  advertising company based in Saudi Arabia, Al Khalaf Advertising and Press Company has purchased the Canon Océ Arizona large format UV-flatbed 460GT printer from Al Eqtessad, Canon’s distributors in Saudi Arabia.

Ahmed Al Khalaf, chairman of Al Khalaf holding company said: “The market in the Eastern Province is in need for powerful and innovative printing technologies to support the growth of their business. We have invested in a solution that brings flawless printing

Staff Writer, 26 March 2014

11th edition of Saudi Print and Pack hosts 520 exhibitors

Abdullah bin Ali Al Aqeel, deputy minister for Internal Trade inaugurated Saudi Print & Pack 2014 - a trade fair for the printing and packaging industries in the Middle East region. A total of 520 exhibitors participated from 27 countries. The exhibition was hosted between 17th-20th February at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.

Saudi Polymers were the trade fair’s platinum sponsor, while Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) and Tasnee were diamond sponsors

Shilpa Jasani, 10 March 2014

Oman based Mazoon Printing goes digital with new buy

Muscat, Oman based Mazoon Printing Press  have  invested in the digital printing machine from Xerox - the J75, to branch out into high quality, short run jobs and also increase capacity to take on variable imaging jobs with in-house designing and binding facilities.
The printing machine has been installed in their existing factory in Muscat.
Says Ajay Bahadur, sales & marketing manager of Mazoon Printing Press, “The XEROX J75 is a unique machine which offers inline spectrophotometer to

Staff Writer, 16 February 2014

Agfa launches new CtP system in MEA at demo center of Giffin

Agfa Graphics introduced a new CtP system to its partners in the Middle East and Africa.  
The Avalon-B8 thermal platesetter system was exhibited at the demo centre of Giffin Graphics.
In a statement released to the press, Afga stated that ‘the new Avalon B8-24 S can be seamlessly integrated with industry Agfa Apogee workflow and imaging on the innovative Azura TS plates, and will deliver affordable, good quality and care-free plate production for your commercial, packaging and publishing

Staff Writer, 16 February 2014

Agfa Graphics Middle East is upbeat with MEA response

Agfa Graphics, manufacturer of prepress solutions & digital printing solutions, announces a successful second half year for its digital solution range in the MEA for the year 2013. Thus, foreseeing an optimistic start for the coming year.
With installations all over the region, Agfa Graphics exceeded its sales targets for the Jeti series in the Emirates as well as in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Qatar, Yemen, Kenya and Uganda. Additionally, UV curable inkjet systems such as the

Prashant Chaurasia, 23 January 2014

Counterfeit products seized in Saudi Arabia

In a survey conducted by HP in Saudi Arabia, it was revealed that 17% of the companies in the country have purchased counterfeit printer cartridges.
Arab News reported prevalence and spread of counterfeit consumables has had a “damaging effect” on businesses in the Kingdom, with “print quality and inconsistency” the leading indicators of counterfeit consumables. 62 percent of businesses surveyed said they only became aware consumables were counterfeit when printers “failed frequently”.
HP

Staff Writer, 23 January 2014

Orion appointed distributor of Kodak’s packaging segment

Saudi Arabia based Orion has been appointed as the first dedicated distributor of Kodak’s packaging solutions in Saudi Arabia.
“Packaging in Saudi Arabia is a fast growing industry and flexo is gaining market share as a printing process,” comments Komal Sharma, Kodak’s managing director, Emerging Geographies, EAMER.  
“We are delighted to be able to bring our expansive portfolio to this region with the highly valuable support from Orion. Its expertise will help increase our reach into the

Staff Writer, 04 December 2013

Bin Omair buys from Universal Graphic Trading, UAE

Ajman based Bin Omair Printing Press has bought a Heidelberg Cavomit hologram stamping & foiling machine from UAE based Universal Graphic Trading for their ongoing expansion. The investment cost being 200,000 AED
    "We bought this machine in the month of August 2013. The main feature of this machine that attracted us were it’s speed & accuracy. We can also do foiling work using this machine on the largest available sheet size for offset printing jobs. While the main reason to select

Prashant Chaurasia, 14 November 2013

GENETCO, Canon’s partner in Oman signed as PSP for ONEIC

GENETCO, Canon’s business partner in Oman, has been signed as a printing service provider for Oman’s National Engineering & Investment Co. (ONEIC).
The deal is the first signing of its kind for Canon in Oman. The deal involves the purchase of an imagePRESS 1110. Designed for print rooms that demand the highest standards, the imagePRESS 1110 is said to deliver the sharpest prints and handles a diverse range of media for trouble-free operation.
Equipped with Variable Data Printing software, the

Staff Writer, 21 October 2013

Qatar National Printing Press invests to speed up profits

Qatar National Printing Press(QNPP) has invested in four packaging machines in a bid to create a one-stop-shop  in Qatar for all print requirements.  Among the machines purchased are Champion’s auto die cutting machine, six corner folder gluer machine, shopping bags machine (end to end manufacture line)  and spot UV machine from Sakurai  were purchased through Afra Asianray during this  year’s Gulf Print in Dubai.
Joseph Dorlian, general manager, Qatar National Printing Press said, “Eventually

Prashant Chaurasia, 06 August 2013

Hoshan will distribute Brother’s products

Brother International (Gulf), has announced the signing of a distributor agreement with Hoshan in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Under the terms of the agreement, HCL will distribute Brother’s colour laser and monochrome laser multi-function centres (MFCs) and printers and A3 inkjet multi-function centres (MFCs) & scanners through its 22 sales offices and showrooms spread across KSA.
“This new distributor partnership with HCL proves to be both very timely and strategic as industry

Staff Writer, 07 July 2013

TPH makes forays into African markets with new order book

The craftsmen behind the Orient web offset presses, TPH from India strengthens their presence with their latest orders.
Punch Nigeria has opted for two units of fully automated 5-tower Orient X-Cel (36,000 cph) press of 578mm cutoff with 6 auto reel changers. The press being supplied by TPH is a fully featured shaftless press, equipped with auto colour registration & cutoff control, remote & automatic ink pumping, stacker, expected to be operational by July-August this year.
Zimbabwe

Prashant Chaurasia, 05 June 2013

Al-Jazirah, Riyadh partners with Goss for press upgrade

Al-Jazirah Corporation of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has chosen to partner with Goss International on an ambitious press upgrade, refurbishment and relocation venture. Scheduled to be in full print production by the end of the second quarter 2013, the project involves reconfiguring a total of 88 Goss Universal single-wide press units.
The initial phase focused on relocating a 2x1 Goss Universal press comprising 13 four-high towers, two folders and 15 reelstands from north-eastern France to Riyadh

Prashant Chaurasia, 02 May 2013

Darvesh Group to start new business venture with 'Darpap'

Dubai based Darvesh Group has started a new business venture ‘Darpap’ “the door to print and packaging supplies” which will distribute a complete range of printing and packaging consumables, material and substrates.
Talking to PrintWeek MEA, COO, AbdulMoid Syed said: “We are in the process of supplying printing consumables such as inks, plates, chemicals, post press materials and all types of substrates. “Our aim is to be a market leader in Afro Middle East countries within a span of 5 years

Pratik Sardesai, 15 April 2013

Kodak, Hoshan host roadshow in KSA

Kodak (Near East) organized a roadshow along with their commercial partners Hoshan Group in Saudi Arabia.
Two workshops held in Riyadh and Jeddah had commercial printers and brand owners attending the 3-day event followed by customer visits to three newspapers.
Kodak’s team included U.S.-based Eric Owen, worldwide VP-sales & business development, Digital Printing & Enterprise and Komal Sharma, MD, Middle East, Africa and East European countries. “Saudi Arabia is a very important market

Staff Writer, 03 April 2013

Air Defence Institute, IMBD buy laminators from Autobond

The Air Defence Unit in Jeddah has added a second Autobond laminator to its portfolio - a Mini 76 SD TP - while first time customer IMBS University in Riyadh has invested in a Mini 76 TPMHS.
Government subsidiary Air Defence Institute bought the Mini 76 SD TP following last year’s drupa.
Abdul Azis Almashaan from the purchasing department said: “When we saw the Mini 76 SD TP demonstrated, we were immediately attracted to the quality of lamination the machine achieved at such high speeds Since the

Staff Writer, 02 April 2013

Saudi Printing acquires UAE based ENPI

Saudi Printing and Packaging Company (SPPC), a subsidiary of Saudi Research & Marketing Group, has acquired 100 percent stake in Emirates National Factory for Plastic Industries (ENPI), Arab News announced recently.
UAE-based ENPI, which specialises in producing solid and flexible plastic products and has eight factories in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, was previously owned by Qatar First Investment Bank and Nizar Rajoub and Omar Al-Shamsi.
   “The acquisition of ENPI by SPPC was the

Staff Writer, 13 March 2013

Sunshine Project: Heidelberg and Fujifilm link-up in ME

Fujifilm products will now be distributed by Heidelberg Middle East (which is a joint venture between Heidelberg and E.A. Juffali and Brothers, a major business group in the region).
  The announcement was made at an official launch event hosted in Grand Hyatt, on 1st January  this year.  The new joint venture was named 'Sunshine Project'.
   The strategic aim of this project is to serve CTP plate markets in UAE, Oman, Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain and Iraq; and to become  the 'preferred provider in

Prashant Chaurasia, 18 February 2013

Copatra Graphics to be official distributors of DGI for GCC

Copatra Graphics and DGI have signed a distributorship agreement wherein Copatra will be their official agents for GCC countries including Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar as well as Sudan and Yemen.
Yaser Anan, CEO of Copatra said, "Recently, we have been appointed by Agfa to market their digital machines Jeti, and this current agreement with DGI for the Gulf region shows the confidence they have in our performance.  We plan to expand our business in the GCC and the larger ME region. UAE and Qatar

Shilpa Jasani, 17 February 2013

Brand ME Advertising expands with new router investment

Dubai-based large format printer, Brand ME Advertising has invested in new router from Woodpecker. The machine was sold by Masonlite, who is the distributor.
Talking to PrintWeek MEA, director of Brand ME, Farook Ummar said: "We predict market to take its peak in the coming years and now it's the right time to invest and prepare ourselves for the best. Market has started taking a positive turn after few years of global crises and hence an update was needed in our production setup.
"One of the

Pratik Sardesai, 17 January 2013

KSA printers buy offset press from Manroland

Two Saudi Arabia printing presses, Al Kifah Carton Factory and Al Nasher Al Arabi have purchased the high-speed sheetfed offset press made by Manroland, Roland 700 HiPrint. 

Two Saudi Arabia printing presses, Al Kifah Carton Factory and Al Nasher Al Arabi have purchased the high-speed sheetfed offset press made by Manroland, Roland 700 HiPrint. 

Al Kifah has invested in the 6-colour version to print cardboard packaging, while Al Nasher has bought the 4-colour Roland to expand capacity of its

Staff Writer, 05 January 2013

FedEx Kinko express satisfaction with HP’s large format printers

Hany El Bayar, manager, FedEx Kinko’s Kuwait says, “The HP Printers are also playing a key role in bringing in new business. One particular high profile project worth KWD 1,150,000 (US$4.1M) would never have been won by FedEx Kinko without the capacity provided by

Staff Writer, 11 November 2012

Good Experts examine current and future advertising trends in the Arab region

TECOM Investments hosted a panel discussion on ‘Advertising Trends in the Arab Region: The Present and the Future’. Held as part of the ‘Thought Incubator’ series, the debate centred on the rapid shift in new platforms and creative approaches.

The panel featured senior advertising experts including Jonathan Labin, head of Facebook MENA in Dubai, Youssef Toqan, CEO, Flip Media, Joe Marritt, general manager, Motivate Publishing (Abu Dhabi), Sarah Messer, director of media, Nielsen, Steve Smith

Staff Writer, 25 October 2012