Sign Africa signals market revival

Avery and Roland have it wrapped

Avery Dennison celebrates its 75th anniversary this year (see article on page 77) and a dynamic team was out in force at Sign Africa, promoting its latest paper and film graphics and labelstock products complete with an impressive and enormous Avery ‘wrapped’ Ford F250 truck!

The annual Avery/Roland ‘Wrap-Off’ drew the largest cumulative crowds over the course of the three days, as World Signs defeated five other vehicle wrapping specialists, winning the ultimate R19 500 prize.Roland’s latest VersaCamm VS series of inkjet printers demonstrated boundless design possibilities with a luxurious variety of brilliant metallic colours, creating finishes previously only available through silk screening, offset printing and hot stamping. ‘We had very positive response from visitors this year,’ comments Bianca Cordier, marketing manager at Telpro Management, Roland’s sub-Saharan Africa representative. ‘The stand captured much attention and great interest was shown in our new VS series metallic printer range.’

Jetseal presents GMP’s prowess

Jetseal continued its hectic and prosperous year with  a successful and busy stand at Sign Africa 2010. During the three-day event, Nick Smit, MD, and his team promoted a broad range of GMP laminating technology, securing a staggering total of 13 machine sales for the GMP Eurolam 520, Omega 720 and Pro Topic 520 AF.  Star of the show, the Eurolam 520 commercial roll laminator, is GMP’s new kid on the block. Its environmentally-friendly Thermalami system needs no adhesive and it provides perfect lamination at maximum speeds of 30m/min (that’s 2 800 636x470mm sheets/h), with precise adhesion on all kinds of printed material with a thickness scope from 120 to 400g/m2. It’s the ideal solution for digital on-demand publishing, with a fully-automatic laminating system – from feeding to lamination and cutting.Suitable for large operations, it can also be adapted for small and medium volume production with an optional jogging system.

‘We had great response from Sign Africa visitors,’ remarks Nick. ‘We had many enquiries and secured significant sales, not only from new customers but also from existing customers who came to the show to see the latest technology. Our “in house” finance option has also captured the interest of many local businesses, as we work hand-in-hand with Credit Guarantee to offer customers a manageable payment plan to suit their budgets.’

With Jetseal’s growing focus on digital films, there was considerable interest at Sign Africa on the new GMP Ultra Bond film, specified by both HP Indigo and Xerox for use on their digital presses. This extremely high bond film offers perfect adhesion and easy operation at low cost. The GMP range is well represented for sales and service in South Africa, through Jetseal’s nationwide presence. With a staff complement of 58, it operates from its head office in Cape Town and branch offices and showrooms in both Johannesburg and Durban. The company has an unswerving focus on the supply of lamination machinery and consumables, and, increasingly, on the supply of large-format digital print media products, namely Matt Art Canvas, Bellagio Wallpaper, Universal Paper, Polymeric Vinyl, Bugatti-FRB and PVC banner media, etc.GMP counts among world leaders when it comes to laminating technology, boasting 110 domestic and international patents; and in the field of graphic laminating, GMP claims to be the world’s largest machine and film producer.

Founded in 1985, the company today exports laminating machines and films to around 100 countries, accounting for 70% of its total annual sales of US$70-million (R490-million).Just about every product in the Jetseal stable comes with an unconditional quality and warranty and this, combined with the company’s commitment to providing exceptional service with the correct products to the local market, is ensuring Jetseal’s position as a leading supplier of digital print media, laminating machines and films.

Meteor alert from Ferrostaal

The Meteor DP60 Pro from MGI took pride of place on the Ferrostaal Equipment stand, offering visitors a multi-substrate digital press solution. Said to ‘bridge the gap’ between digital and offset, the DP60 Pro can handle paper from 70 to 350g/m2, plastic sheets from 100µm to 400µm, and envelope sizes C4, C5, C6 and DL (with or without windows). Flexibility and productivity are key benefits of the press along with a superior print quality of 2 400dpi, oil-free toners and MGI’s proprietary Vibration Reduction System.Standard features include a Fiery RIP print station manager, infrared lamp climate control system and high-capacity pneumatic loader. With the capacity to load 1 500 sheets and an automated high pile output stacker, the Meteor DP60 Pro is ideal for high-volume production and an optional MGI exclusive super format allows print on sheets up to 330mm x 1020mm.

QuickEasy Software on right track

It was a Sign Africa ‘first’ for the team at QuickEasy Software, now in its 11th year of operation. Post- show reports reveal that its system, QuickEasy  MIS 7, developed and supported in South Africa for the local printing, packaging, manufacturing and service industries, is on the right track and visitor feedback confirms that offering a complete package, which includes CRM, estimating, production, procurement, inventory and accounting, is favoured over separately sold modules.QuickEasy Software provides crucial management information software for manufacturers and printers and, with no lock-in contracts and a low monthly subscription, it allows any size business to improve its workflow and overall operating efficiencies.‘We’ve had a great response from Sign Africa and we would like to thank everyone who visited our stand for their feedback and support,’ remarks Jody Segers, senior consultant for QuickEasy Software.

Win-win for Renz

News, hot off the press at Sign Africa, is that Renz and Ipex Machinery have formed an alliance, with Ipex Machinery now a dual distributor for Renz binding equipment in the local and African market. Renz manufactures modern punching, binding and laminating systems, from desktop to high-output automated equipment, including Ring-Wire wire comb binding, plastic spiral or ‘coil’ binding, plastic comb binding and plastic spiral binding materials.As part of its future growth strategy, Renz constantly develops new products and improves its technology, based on customer feedback.

Currently, it’s focused on the development of systems with automatic format changeovers and the Renz INLINE 500 is a prime example of this new-generation machine, developed with extensive input from the paper-processing industry. Investment in the latest CAD and CNC equipment guarantees efficient, high-class manufacture and Renz uses in-house technologies for the production of binding systems, ensuring quality, flexibility and superior products. Renz products are distributed and sold in some 80 countries worldwide through accredited distributors. Since 1980, the Renz brand has flown under the local wing of W Vos & Co, developing into a well-respected binding system supplier.

Today, Renz binding equipment is found in most print shops and binderies, where its durability and efficiency is recognised as an important quality for high-volume binding requirements. Ipex Machinery will add a new dimension to the promotion of Renz products in the local and wider African market. Having proudly clocked up more than 45 years of first-rate service to the South African printing and packaging industry, Ipex is recognised as a market leader, with a highly reputable line-up of international principals that speak volumes for the company’s bloodline. Says Bruce Allen of Ipex Machinery: ‘We’re proud to be associated with the Renz product and with W Vos & Co. We’re confident that the partnership between our companies will ensure that the Renz product range enjoys maximum exposure in our respective market segments.’As the Renz philosophy is built on the foundation of quality, innovation and flexibility, then it’s picked the perfect partners for growth.