The 7th International packaging and printing exhibition for Asia, Pack Print International, has opened its exhibition doors in Bangkok, marking the first day of the event for the year.
Pitted as a one-stop gateway to the region’s next-generation manufacturing, the show hosted four synergistic exhibitions in one venue at BITEC Bangkok. The four exhibitions: Wire and Tube Southeast Asia (co-located), Pack Print International and T-PLAS 2019, are expected to bring on more than 30,000 trade visitors, with some 30 per cent from outside Thailand.
Each of these exhibitions are driven by the Messe Düsseldorf Group in Germany, playing an essential role in providing effective B2B platforms.
The exhibitions are led by 900 companies and brands from the various sectors, that bring with them smart technology, equipment and solutions for the industries of today and the future. It brings together some 5000 innovative products, machineries and solutions across the key sectors of wire, cable, tube, pipe, packaging, printing, plastics and rubber. There will also be over 50 concurrent events by industry experts tailored to improve end-to-end manufacturing productivity and efficiency, and to fulfil sourcing and procurement objectives.
This coincides with recent reports that indicate about 50 per cent of Thai manufacturers are looking to adopt automation systems within the next three years, backed by growing export demand in sectors such as food and beverage, automobile and petrochemicals.
Messe Duesseldorf Asia managing director Gernot Ringling said as industries worldwide embrace digitalisation and automation, and reap in the effects of a boosted economy and investment opportunities, it is also important for businesses to innovate while building on and strengthening partnerships.
“Through this, businesses can improve and extend their existing relationships with their client base in Thailand and the ASEAN region. For smaller set-ups, trade platforms like this provide an opportune opening for them to share their service or products with a wide, yet targeted group of audience,” he said.
At the event’s ribbon cutting ceremony, Thailand vice-minister for industry Dheerayut Varnitshang said innovation and technology have been accelerating change within the printing and packaging sector, causing new challenges for Thailand.
“New technology and innovation influence business operations in all dimensions including manufacturing process and service model, operations and changing consumer behaviour. Manufacturers have to rapidly adjust their process accordingly,” he said.
“The key objective is to enhance competitiveness by increasing production efficiency and value-added to products with customisation, high quality, fast delivery, reasonable price and be able to compete in international market.
“This edition of Pack Print International and T-PLAS Thailand will be a beneficial experience to local and international businesses and promote and transfer new innovation, including top-of-the-line machine to steer business through all future challenges.”
Messe Düsseldorf Asia managing director Gernot Ringling said what started out as an idea over a decade ago, between Messe Düsseldorf Asia and two Thai industry partners – The Thai Packaging Association and The Thai Printing Association – to provide an international business platform for the packaging and printing sectors to propel the local industry forward and to link global companies to Thailand and the markets of Southeast Asia, it has today become a highlight on the region’s exhibition calendar.
“This year, 300 companies from 25 countries are on show together with five national pavilions and groups, making it the region’s largest packaging and printing exhibition. It also highlights Thailand’s strength as Southeast Asia’s printing and packaging hub with top-class capabilities,” he said.
“As a forward-looking exhibition located in a part of the world that is experiencing a paradigm shift – rapidly rising middle-class, increased internet penetration and e-commerce growth, these are all triggering a major shift in packaging requirements.
“While on the printing front, digital print continues to grow strong with greater customisation and digital print packaging gaining momentum to soon become the new industry gold standard,” he said.
Ringling added that to prepare for the future, the printing and packaging industry needs to shape it.
“As the world of packaging and printing wakes up to a new dawn where solutions of the future of packaging and printing are centred on efficiency, speed-to-market, personalisation, enhanced consumer experiences, and reduced carbon footprint, brands around the world are looking to shorten time cycles, combat environmental issues and stand out from a saturated market as best they can,” he said.
TCEB’s President Office Department director Puripan Bunnag said this is the most important printing and packaging trade show in Thailand that is also closely followed by trade in Southeast Asia.
“The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau – as the Thai government’s lead agency in developing Thailand’s trade shows – supports Pack Print International because it is an important platform for international business and innovation,” he said.
“The export value of Thailand’s printing and packaging industries is now valued at US$1.76 billion. The printing industry is worth US$9.6 billion, of which 60 PER CENT is derived from packaging. The printing and packaging industries support practically every sector of our economy.
“It is also integral to the 12 industries under our government’s ‘Thailand 4.0’ policy, such as food processing, pharmaceutical, tourism and wellness. The contribution of the printing and packaging industries is undeniable. How well our printing and packaging industries grow will determine the success of ‘Thailand 4.0’.”
