With the challenges of the weakening rand and slow economic growth, printers need to diversify to remain profitable. With this in mind, the Sign Africa Expo, which took place at the Durban ICC from 24-25 February, delivered sales and good leads to exhibitors as well as solutions that visitors can use to diversify their businesses, such as signage and graphics, wide format, screen printing, banners and flags, 3D printing and more.
Exhibitor feedback about the event was very positive:
'Sign Africa and Africa Print Durban was a great success for Kemtek. We had a static display which showcased 3D, Aristo and Durst. We had a lot of interest and many leads were generated. Our presence showed local business owners and opposition alike that we are serious players who offer premium products and support,' said Nigel Tretheway, Kemtek Imaging Systems.
'We had a great show in Durban, we sold the demo unit to a customer and we have plenty of sales leads to follow up on. I believe many latex, solvent and eco-solvent users are now looking for newer technology such as our UV LED printer,' said Tomonori Hemmi, Fujifilm.
'I found the Durban show to be quite busy contrary to normal events held in Durban. We had excessively high foot traffic on our booth expressing interest in our 3D printers that all sold out at the show. We launched a DIY range of machines that are cost effective for even the home user. We are trying to take technology to the home user and make printing fun,' said Patrick Naude, CMYK Industries.
'Overall, we got a large amount of leads. Visitors were interested in all of our products, especially the V-3 channel letter cutting machine, of which we sold one to a contact we made at the expo. We are expecting to sell more,' said Bruce Badenhorst, Exion.
Roland and Avery Dennison hosted the popular Extreme Speedwrap Challenge, with radio DJ Alex Jay serving as MC. The winner of R7000 for day one was Delmain De Jager. Ruan Greeff, who is representing South Africa at the upcoming FESPA Wrapmasters competition in Amsterdam, was crowned the winner on the second day's challenge.
Contestant Ayanda Cele from RBG Studios won R3500, as well as a trip to compete at the Speedwrap challenge being held at FESPA Africa in Johannesburg, from 7-9 September. As part of Cele's prize, his company's owner, Rowan Budlender, won a weekend away at the Forest Ferns on the Garden Route, courtesy of Roland.
Each stand was judged at the expo according to criteria based on design and staff friendliness and professionalism. The stand winners and runners up include:
Best Small Stand Floor Space:
First: Exion Corporation
Runner Up: Macquip & Screenwise
Best Small Stand Shell Scheme:
First: Chemosol & Epson
Runner Up: Uprint
Best Medium Stand Shell Scheme:
First: Fujifilm SA
Best Medium Stand Floor Space:
First: SA Argus
Runner Up: Maizey Plastics
Best Large Stand Floor Space:
First: Falcon
Runner Up: Roland
Upcoming events include:
Africa Print Polokwane: 7 April 2016
Africa Print Cape Town: 11-12 May 2016
Africa Print Nelspruit: 29 June 2016
Africa Print Gallagher Convention Centre: 7-9 September 2016
Visit www.signafricaexpo.com for more information.
