Labelexpo Southeast Asia, part of the Labelexpo Global Series, was held in Bangkok, Thailand, February 11-13. An international exhibition, the event hosted more than 170 exhibitors, including Aldus Group, the long-established, authorized distributor of Mark Andy and Rotoflex solutions in the Australia and Asia Pacific region. Aldus was joined by Crosslink – the Mark Andy distributor in Japan. Both companies were promoting flexo and digital printing and converting solutions from Mark Andy’s vast offering, attracting significant interest from visitors, including current and potential customers.

“Following last year’s successful event in India, the Labelexpo Southeast Asia trade fair was another great opportunity for promoting our complete line of narrow-web label & package printing solutions – states Lena Chmielewska-Bontron, European Marketing Manager, Mark Andy. – The Australian and Asia Pacific markets have historically relied upon local manufacturers of conventional press technologies, including letterpress and screen-printing. These printers and converters are now considering a switch to more modern equipment based on flexo and digital processes. As a leading manufacturer of this kind of equipment, we have a lot to offer, from entry-level to more advanced technologies, from conventional flexo to inkjet-based or toner-based digital.”

Mark Andy has also expanded its software portfolio, with recent introductions of two native solutions: sMArt link – a real-time production monitoring system, optimizing print workflows, and ProWORX – an imposition and color management solution.

Chris Bodger, national sales manager, Graphics at Aldus Group, states, “Together with our colleagues from Crosslink we did our best to present and promote all these solutions. There were lots of visitors at Labelexpo Southeast Asia with a very strong representation of local printers and converters from Thailand. However, the exhibition turned out to be a truly international event, gathering many visitors from the Far East, Pacific, & Australia. Customers have been keen to discuss the advantages of flexo and digital technologies, especially in terms of short- and mid-run label production. We’ve received terrific feedback from the samples we had on our booth, printed on Mark Andy Digital Series HD, Digital Series iQ and Digital Pro presses, and covering numerous embellishment options. High quality and efficiency were highlighted as a basis of Mark Andy’s digital market success.”

Bodger notes sustainability as a primary discussion point with visitors, in addition to the typical quality and efficiency topics. “When it comes to eco-friendliness, printers and converters expect support from manufacturers and vendors. During Labelexpo Southeast Asia we fielded questions of reducing carbon footprint and implementing sustainability policies. Reducing waste during printing and finishing was one of the main topics here,” he says.

“We support our customers in reducing waste by offering highly efficient, energy-saving label printing and converting equipment and software solutions,” Lena Chmielewska-Bontron adds. “Optimization of manufacturing processes and software have resulted in better substrate handling and waste reduction. Job imposition and management in our native label-oriented ProWORX software allows printers to print small and mid-sized runs in a more sustainable and efficient way. On the other hand, our sMArt link system enables real-time production monitoring, allowing the pressroom managers and operators to make quick production corrections, positively impacting efficiency and waste reduction. We’re extremely glad that our equipment and software solutions meet our customers’ needs and expectations.”

“Printers and converters also want to know that equipment they purchase will be supported locally, with parts and service personnel,” adds Chris Bodger. “Due to expanded sales and service structures of Aldus Group and Crosslink companies, we can cover the entire Australian and Asia Pacific region in terms of complex after-sales handling.”