The 16th edition of Sign and Graphic Imaging (SGI) Middle East, an official DSF exhibition, begins at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre today. The event brings together globally renowned industry speakers, trade visitors and leading brand exhibitors under one platform.
Organised by the International Expo Consults (IEC), a subsidiary of Falak Holding, the three-day show will gather more than 400 exhibitors from across 30 countries including top industry brands such as AGFA, HP, Canon, Fujifilm, Gandy Digital, Digi Matrix, Flex Europa, Giffin Graphics and STS Inks among other key exhibitors. “We have grown year-on-year by adding several new exhibitors each year and trade visitors from across the globe. We have also included more features to the show,” says Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, Chairman, IEC.
Last year, more than 10,000 trade visitors from over 75 countries attended the show. “We had a strong turnout from across the GCC, Africa, the sub continent, Europe, Asia, CIS States and the US. Trade visitors who attended the last edition of the show were among the best we have ever seen and we expect the trend to continue this year,” says Falaknaz.
Big names
This year, SGI will showcase state-of-the-art large-format printers from major players across the globe in addition to POP/POS, substrates, ink and the CNC/laser machines. “We will also have several distinguished speakers at the show. This is an integral part of our event and we are proud to have some really big names sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience,” he says.
The chairman says every trade visitor will have the option of meeting different vendors based on his budget. In addition each exhibitor will share his own success story and help achieve the customer’s objectives.
The demand for sign, graphic and imaging solutions has grown over the years across the Middle East and exhibitors at SGI are optimistic that this event will be a good place to meet potential customers.
Hendrik Verbrugghe, Marketing Director, Canon Middle East, says SGI is a great platform to show customers the direction sign and graphic industry is heading. “As a leader in the imaging and printing industry, we are expecting to see more focus on easy-to-operate, cost-effective, short-term indoor applications such as soft signage and in-house printing, which is expected to have the highest growth rate in the region,” he says.
Walid Abdulmoti, Marketing Manager, Epson Europe, says, “We will be displaying the latest signage printers as well as indoor and outdoor large-format printing. In addition to the printing, we will be displaying the latest in video projectors, with the recently launched 10,000 lumens projector, the Z10000 from Epson. We hope to achieve our target, promote our products, and meet new customers.”
Bilal Al Hattab, Managing Director, Digi Matrix, says Digi Matrix Technologies has the right solutions to provide green technology. “We have added three innovative machines, which are set to create a buzz in the packaging solutions industry. Dilli UV Flat Printing machine supports green technology and can do all kinds of printing. Digi Cam is the full digital cutting system and Digi Laser can be used widely in metal and non-metal applications. We are also launching the 3.2m UV roll to roll, which will bring a new dimension to large format printing on all flexible materials. We are optimistic that many of the leads will be converted into sales in the coming weeks and months or even at the show,” says Al Hattab.
Making a mark
Enis Kraiem, Regional Sales Manager — Graphic System Division, Fujifilm, says the event is important to Fujifilm as the Middle East and Africa are two high economic growth areas. “The investment in equipment in the region is increasing and the awareness about the necessity to move to flatbed is high. It’s an opportunity for Fujifilm to be close to existing customers in the Middle East and to show its leadership in digital market. Wide Format Inkjet is one of Fujifilm’s priority businesses worldwide and expanding it in the Middle East is in line with Fujifilm’s policy for emerging markets.”
Panos Bartziokas, GM Agfa Graphics ME, Inkjet says, “Agfa Graphics offers a diverse inkjet portfolio that is tailored to the needs of the graphic communications industry from entry level to high-end production. We will be showcasing the :Jeti 3020 Titan, the :Anapurna M2540 FB, the :Anapurna 2050 and the :Jeti 3324 Solvent printer at SGI. Our objective is to attract the digital and screen printing community with speciality imaging that comprises digital imaging, screen printing and many other graphic arts technologies.”
Anand V. Joseph, General Manager, Blue Rhine, says his company is the exclusive media partner for Agfa printers at the SGI. “The Agfa range of printers is a benchmark in digital printing equipment for commercial print houses and these machines will be printing on all our substrates. This will highlight the compatibility of all our products with a respected equipment manufacturer. Moreover, with increased preference for 3D illuminated signage in the region, we will showcase speciality Plexiglas acrylics, Lexan polycarbonate sheets and efficient LEDs for this segment," says Joseph.
