Embargoed for release till 31 August 2011
MINISTER OF INDUSTRY OPENS LEADING EXHIBITIONS
-Region’s largest showcase of machinery and equipment at PACK PRINT INTERNATIONAL and TIPREX 2011
31 August 2011, Bangkok -The ASEAN region is clearly a top choice for industry leaders from the packaging, printing, plastics and rubber sectors, says Minister of Industry Mr Wannarat Channukul, citing the internationality, impressive line-up of exhibitors and state-of-the-art machinery on display at the third editions of PACK PRINT INTERNATIONAL and TIPREX.
In his speech marking the opening of the co-located exhibitions, Mr Channukul was upbeat about Thailand’s packaging, printing, and manufacturing prospects --he highlighted buoyant industry growth particularly in the automotive, food packaging and printing sectors. “The synergistic approach in having these two exhibitions side by side complements each industry sector and further strengthens Thailand’s position as a core manufacturing centre for ASEAN,” he said. Touching on the topic of bioplastics which will remain as one of the niche and strategic industrial sectors in Thailand, Mr Wannarat says that the government has invested resources to develop technology to extract, process and convert farm-based materials to bioplastics. “This new industry needs more promotions and supportive linkages throughout its value chain.”
Reflecting continued industry confidence, PACK PRINT INTERNATIONAL and TIPREX 2011 have attracted about 400 exhibitors featuring the largest range of machinery, equipment and innovative solutions covering a combined floor space of more than 20,000 square metres -making the two exhibitions the largest editions since their debut in 2007.
The official opening ceremony held at the BITEC main concourse will be attended by more than 500 guests including exhibitors, members of the diplomatic community, local and regional supporting industry associations, as well as delegations from the Ho Chi Minh City Business Club, Malaysia Printers Association, Printing Industry Association of the Philippines, and North India Printers Association.
The strong showing from Thai-based companies from the printing, packaging, plastics and rubber industries at the two exhibitions is complemented by international market leaders from more than 40 countries including national pavilions and country groups from Austria, China, Taiwan, and Singapore. Visiting delegations from India, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam are also expected, including a group from Ghana coming through the Thai Packaging Centre.
This year, PACK PRINT INTERNATIONAL and TIPREX 2011 will showcase some of the industry’s biggest names from the packaging, printing, plastics and rubber sectors. For the printing industries, these include Heidelberg Graphics (Thailand) Ltd, Koenig & Bauer Group (KBA), Canon Marketing (Thailand), Ferrostaal (Thailand), SCG Paper, and for the packaging side, trade visitors can expect to see Clearpack (Thailand) Henkel (Thailand,) and many more industry specialists. The line-up at TIPREX 2011 is equally impressive with brand names that include first time exhibitor Wittmann Battenfeld (Thailand), KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH, Kreyenbourg GmbH, Patankit Chareon (2529), PTT Chemical Public Limited, and SCG Chemicals.
Speaking at the opening today, the exhibitions’ managing director of Messe Dusseldorf Asia, Mr Gernot Ringling said that PACK PRINT INTERNATIONAL and TIPREX are the only platforms in Southeast Asia that are driven by the industry for the industry. “Both exhibitions serve as valuable forums to facilitate the exchange of expertise and know-how on production to processing. Thailand provides the ideal location for these world-class exhibitions with its quality, variety and internationality of exhibitors and visitors,” he said.
Commenting on the expected visitor numbers and quality participants, Mr Ringling said that pre-registration figures are up by 40% for both exhibitions compared to 2009 and the exhibitions are well timed as they reflect the needs of the industries.
Alongside the exhibitions are a series of seminars on packaging for transportation by The Thai Packaging Association, efficiency in the printing environment by manroland (Thailand), digital transformation by Hewlett Packard (Thailand), plastics technology by Chatsworth Associates, centralized material handling systems by Wittmann Battenfeld GmbH, and more.
Summarizing PACK PRINT INTERNATIONAL and TIPREX 2011 on its opening day, Mr. Ringling said: “The success of this year’s shows proves that this international partnership between the Messe Dusseldorf Group and the national associations in Thailand is working for the better of the regional industries.”
