Top Indian CEOs provide the ultimate insight on LabelExpo: Gautam Kothari, Gururaj Ballarwad and Karl Vandenbussche

Gautam Kothari, Interlabels
Vasai, Baddi, Chennai

Your first LabelExpo was?
It has been a long time….Don’t really remember!

Your reasons for visiting LabelExpo Europe?
To understand newer developments and trends in the industry, as well as networking.

Your best experience at LabelExpo was?
The last one was very interesting, specially the emergence of digital printing.

What is your game plan for LabelExpo Europe 2011?
No real game plan. Would like to see new product launches and recent developments in short-run flexo capabilities

What technology are you eyeing?
Digital inkjet.

One person with whom you would like to spend an hour at LabelExpo Europe 2011?
Mike Fairley, he is a living encyclopedia of this industry.

For you LabelExpo means?
The Mecca of the label world!

One concern on your shopfloor which you intend to resolve at LabelExpo 2011?
Better waste disposal systems.

What are the game changing technologies in labels according to you?
Developments in digital printing and digitising of UV flexo printing.

Pressure sensitive and wet-glue v/s self-adhesive labels. Your views (costing and technology relevant for Indian market)
Both will exist in India.  

Your advice to a first time visitor:
You will get to see the complete label world under one roof… so be prepared!




 
Gururaj  Ballarwad, Wintek Flexo Prints
Bengaluru

Your first LabelExpo was?
1999.

Your reasons for visiting LabelExpo Europe?               
To meet new suppliers and develop a bigger base and to strengthen our relation with existing suppliers. Also, to get first-hand information on new developments.              

Your best experience at LabelExpo was?
Finalising a ten-colour Gallus EM280 press at LabelExpo 2007. I am very proud of this investment.

What is your game plan for LabelExpo Europe 2011?
To be present at the show from start to end on all the days.

If you were gifted 10 million euros, what would you buy at LabelExpo 2011?          
I will buy another set of existing equipment on my shopfloor but with more automation.

You would like to spend an hour at LabelExpo Europe 2011 with?
Heinrich Sutter, the vice president of Gallus.

For you LabelExpo means?
Meeting label printers and machine manufacturers from all over the world and sharing knowledge of the industry in our respective countries.

What are the game changing technologies in labels?
Hybrid technology consisting of gravure, offset, flexo and screen printing.

Pressure sensitive and wet-glue v/s self-adhesive labels. Your views (costing and technology relevant for Indian market)
Wet-glue labels has its own market. Self-adhesive and pressure sensitive labels is creating a market for itself.

Your advice to a first time visitor
Meet people and make more friends. It is always helpful in the long run.




Karl  Vandenbussche, Reynders India
Bhiwadi

Your first LabelExpo was?
My first Label Expo was in 2005, when I was working in Belgium.

Your reasons for visiting LabelExpo Europe?
Meeting global suppliers, looking at the latest technologies in machines, substrates, inks and so on.

Your best experience at LabelExpo was?
The presentation of the new generation digital presses dedicated for label printers.

What is your game plan for LabelExpo Europe 2011?  
Visiting current suppliers, because they are all under one roof and looking out for new technologies.

What technology are you eyeing?
Pharmaceutical inspection systems, online barcode verifiers, specialties in ink and varnishes.

If you were gifted 10 million euros, what would you buy at LabelExpo 2011?
A Gallus RCS 330, a Gallus EM 510 and a Xeikon digital press.

One person with whom you would like to spend an hour at LabelExpo Europe 2011?
I would like to spend time with everybody one hour. All the knowledge at the LabelExpo is worth spending that amount of time.

For you LabelExpo means?
Looking for innovative technologies together with people who share the same interest and passion.

One concern on your shopfloor which you intend to resolve at LabelExpo 2011?
Most of my concerns have been solved, now I’m only looking at how we can go to the next level in terms of technology.

What are the game changing technologies in labels according to you?
The constant improvement in flexo printing, flexo is closing the gap with offset year-on-year. Also, the development in faster digital presses and the quality of the print is outstanding.

Pressure sensitive and wet-glue v/s self-adhesive labels. Your views on costing in labels and technology relevant for Indian market?
Indian market is very price conscious, but we see some changes from wet-glue towards self-adhesive labels, this mainly due to the efforts of suppliers like Avery Dennison and UPM. The advantages of self-adhesive labels are overtaking the costing issues. I think, this will grow in the coming years.

Your advice to a first time visitor:
Look at the possibilities and the passion that people have with labels and the technologies around label manufacturing.