Record Crowds at Labelexpo Asia

Labelexpo Asia confirmed its status as the leading label event in Asia when the show welcomed a record 16,601 visitors in early December—compared to 14,004 in 2007, an increase of 18.5 percent. The rate at which the label industry in Asia is continuing to grow was clearly reflected in the size of this year’s show, which took place at the Shanghai New International Expo Center.

Catering solely for trade professionals, this year’s show demonstrated a high quality of visitors who were able to see 130 pieces of working machinery that included 60 working presses. Visitors came from 78 countries, with more than 10 percent of people from outside China. Large delegations were welcomed from countries including India, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia.

Exhibitors were almost exactly split between Chinese and international companies. They included UPM Raflatac, Avery Dennison, (Shanghai Xinmin) Taiyo, Omet, HP, Lintec, Basch Group, Dow Corning, Qingzhou Ekofa, Xeikon, DuPont, RotoMetrics, and Erhardt+Leimer.

The conference sessions that ran during the first three days of the show were very well attended, with more than 200 delegates gathering to hear from industry experts. On the first day UPM Raflatac gave the keynote speech entitled, “Globalization and opportunities beyond the recession,” with presentations following during the next two days from EFI Jetrion, HP Indigo, Xeikon, Coco Chen, and Avery Dennison.

Commenting on the success of the show, Wu Wenxiang, honorary board director of PTAC, said, “With China’s entrance into the WTO, and with the Chinese reform and opening-up policies over the last few years, we have started to move into a new stage of history. In order to fulfill the overall revitalization of the Chinese printing industry, we should stress the importance of foreign exchange and communications, keep pace with the time, and make full use of advanced technologies from abroad. Labelexpo Asia has created a platform for label and flexo equipment manufacturers, suppliers, converters, as well as brand owners to do this. I believe that whether they are an exhibitor or a visitor, they will get plentiful opportunities from the event.”

Yin Deming, president of the Shanghai Printing Industry Association said, “Labelexpo Asia is a distinguished global show for the label industry. It shows us current international label printing technologies, new craftworks, advanced equipment, and materials. This show provides a wonderful platform to combine products being put on display, business trading, and networking. This show proves that all these work very well together.”

Roger Pellow, Labelexpo managing director, said, “This year Labelexpo Asia has really proved that the show has come of age and become an important niche within the printing industry, which has been reflected in the high level of attendance. The show has once again shown the enormous scale of opportunities that exist for the labeling industry in the Chinese market. All four days proved to be highly effective for both exhibitors and visitors, who benefited from doing business, sharing knowledge and making valuable new contacts. I would like to thank everyone involved with Labelexpo Asia. The visitors, exhibitors, media, and associations have all contributed to make this the most successful event that we have had in this region.”