Domino Digital Printing Solutions is investing in the Asia-Pacific region to drive sales and meet increased labeling demands. The company has appointed Mario Fanton as the digital printing solutions director for the region to lead sales and set up the service and support teams in Asia as the company expands its existing portfolio of K-Series digital printers, with the addition of its N-Series digital color label press into Asia.

According to the company, pressure sensitive labels strengthened its position as a leading labeling format in the Asian market with a volume of 8767 million square meters in 2016. This represented 43% of the total world demand by volume. Growth in Asia in 2016 is estimated at 6.2%, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.3% in 2017-2019.

Domino’s expansion of its Hong Kong-based team is part of a long-term plan to increase sales of its versatile, cost effective high-quality inkjet printers into Asia. With an established install base of around 250-300 monochrome printers already in the region, the N610i high-speed digital color label press is an addition to Domino’s existing portfolio of monochrome printers that have been sold into Asia.

Having direct responsibility for an evolving team of 10 (comprised of both sales staff and engineers), Fanton is responsible for promoting Domino’s current range of inkjet printers and for introducing new Piezo DOD products and for managing existing distributors, as well as developing new sales channels. He has worked for Domino for 12 years, having previously held the titles of digital printing product manager and digital printing sector manager within the company.

Speaking about the growth opportunities that the region offers, Fanton says, “There is increased speed in adopting new technologies by brand owners, enabling them to deliver much more valuable content to customers. Domino’s proven K- and N-Series give them a tool to cost effectively manage shorter runs, use raised print effects, such as ‘Textures by Domino,’ to create more awareness and product differentiation, and at the same time implement variable data to the label. Changes in consumer purchasing behavior and the population density in Asia further drive the volumes of self-adhesive labels, such that overall label demand in m² per capita is expected to grow from 3m² to 8m².”

Fanton continues, “Alongside working with our distributors, growing the leadership, sales and support teams will be vital in meeting the demand for the N-Series and K-Series printers from our local customers. The need for fast, high-quality inkjet label printing machines capable of keeping up with increased production is rising.”

“This strategic decision to expand our portfolio of products and increase our resources in the Asia-Pacific region is vital for Domino’s future growth and to meet the demands of our customers, who require high-speed inkjet technology to produce labels of the best quality, giving their products the best chance to stand out on the shelves,” says Philip Easton, director at Domino Digital Printing Solutions.