The launch edition of Tarsus Group's Labelexpo Southeast Asia – the biggest label and package printing event in the region – has exceeded all expectations, with 7,934 attendees from 62 countries flocking to BITEC in Bangkok, Thailand for the three-day show May 10-12.

Exhibitor rebookings for the next edition in 2020 already stand at 42 percent – the highest following a Labelexpo event launch to date.

Aimed at connecting printers/converters, brand owners, label and package printing technicians, buyers and design specialists, the event attracted strong delegations from across Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, plus Australasia. Enthusiastically supported by the Thai Department of Industrial Promotion (DIP) under the Minister of Industry, and the Thailand Screen Print and Graphic Imaging Association (TSGA), Labelexpo Southeast Asia 2018 covered more than 4,100 square meters and hosted exhibitors from 174 of the global industry’s principal manufacturers and suppliers.

These included Bobst, Epson, Flint Group, GEW, HP, Konica Minolta, Lintec, Mark Andy, Nilpeter, Omet, UPM Raflatac, Xeikon, Yupo Corporation and Zhejiang Weigang Machinery Co.

Almost a quarter of these were exhibiting at Labelexpo for the first time including Berli Jucker, Flying Man Assembly Automation, IGS Asia Pacific, Navitas Vision Solution, Ojitac, PMC Label Materials, Press Systems, Techno Global Graphics and Tsukatani Hamono Manufacturing.      

Running alongside the main exhibition was a two-day expert-led conference program, developed in line with feedback from printers in Southeast Asia.

These topical learning sessions proved extremely popular with label and packaging printers, brand owners and designers.

The opening session on 10 May was delivered by Harit Hiranyaphinant, deputy managing director of Copack Co. and TSGA member, who gave an overview of the label printing industry in Thailand and how to capture the future of the industry.

Later sessions featured extremely well-received presentations from Brenton Barrett, president Asia Pacific of Multi-Color Corporation, who looked at market trends in Southeast Asia and globally; and Ryan Shaw, creative director Southeast Asia of Landor, who examined business models and 360 degree design thinking. 

A CEO printer panel moderated by James Quirk, group managing editor of Labels & Labeling, featured panellists, including Piyapong Wongvorakul, managing director Trisan Printing (Thailand); Peter Woods, director and COO Southeast Asia QLM Label Makers (Malaysia); Adrian Pratiwhiharja, president and director PT Interflex Sejahtera Perdana, and Brenton Barrett.

Another show highlight was the sold-out Label Academy workshop covering shrink sleeve technology, which took place on the final day of the show. 

Moderated by Andy Thomas-Emans, strategic director Labelexpo, topics covered included design and origination, inks, substrates, and converting and application technology.

The workshop ended with a presentation on quality control and fault finding by one of the global industry’s leading shrink sleeve experts, Dr Séamus Lafferty, president of Barry Wehmiller company Accraply.

Jade Grace, project director for Labelexpo Southeast Asia said, “We are absolutely delighted with the success of our very first Labelexpo Southeast Asia, which, as our most successful show launch to date, has exceeded all expectations. Visitor feedback has been excellent, with major sales deals being closed on-site and the high calibre of buyers at the show highlighted as invaluable for sourcing new contacts and partners who will be able to help printers improve profitability, quality and efficiency in order to stay one step ahead of their competitors.” 

Dr. Kittichote Supakumnerd, Engineer at the Division of Innovation and Industrial Technology Development, Ministry of Industry in Thailand, said, “The Ministry of Industry extends their congratulations to the success of the Labelexpo Southeast Asia in Bangkok and recognize the great benefits this trade exhibition can bring to Thailand with the introduction of new technologies, materials and other innovations for labeling, printing and packaging applications.      

The attendance to the event came from throughout Asia most notably from Japan, China, India, Malaysia and Singapore, it was a truly international event that will bring continued advancements to the industries it serves in Thailand and throughout the region.