QIPC-EAE Performance Package destined for Saudi Arabia

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QIPC-EAE Performance Package destined for Saudi Arabia

Earlier this year, Saudi-based Al Madina Printing & Publishing Co. started using automation systems installed by Q.I. Press Controls – Engineering Automation Electronics (QIPC – EAE). Its printing plant, located in Jeddah, placed an order for a Performance Package with the Dutch specialist in measurement and control systems for the printing industry. Al Madina is thus able to take full advantage of QIPC’s takeover of EAE. The systems help bring about increased production reliability for Al Medina Printing & Publishing Co., as well as halving its output of waste.

Ready for the future 
With installation of the QIPC-EAE systems, the Saudi Arabian media company is clearly making an investment in the future. “There’s a possibility of them upgrading to closed-loop color control next,” explains Erwin van Rossem, head of sales at QIPC. This is fairly straightforward since the systems now installed at Al Madina Printing & Publishing Co. are fully geared up to this. The Goss Universal 50 press has been fitted with 18 IDS-3D cameras for color register. The cameras all come with optional Automatic Ink Mist Shields (AIMS) for automatic cleaning of the lenses. EAE was responsible for upgrading the existing controls on the press and section with modernization of the EAE INFO system, EAE Baltic Star control consoles and an upgrade from PPC to CLC. As a result, outdated components have been replaced and long-term support guaranteed.     

Effective collaboration 
Press manufacturer Goss had a big part to play in the decision of Al Madina Printing & Publishing Co. to opt for QIPC-EAE. “It was the client’s special request to have them closely involved with the installation of the systems,” says Erwin van Rossem. “A crucial aspect of this was for us to establish an effective collaboration with them – and not just for this project: you have to bear in mind possible future orders from other clients.” Another key reason for the order was the fact that Al Madina Printing & Publishing Co. had been working with EAE systems from as far back as 2000. At the time, Goss also acted as the go-between. “The takeover of EAE by QIPC means that businesses can call on the services of a single company able to provide both automation systems and control software,” Erwin van Rossem adds. “Not only is implementation easier, it also means less training of personnel.”

Erwin van Rossem”A crucial aspect of this was for us to establish an effective collaboration with Goss – and not just for this project: you have to bear in mind possible future orders from other clients.”

2023 promises an interesting ride for print in India

Indian Printer and Publisher founded in 1979 is the oldest B2B trade publication in the multi-platform and multi-channel IPPGroup. While the print and packaging industries have been resilient in the past 33 months since the pandemic lockdown of 25 March 2020, the commercial printing and newspaper industries have yet to recover their pre-Covid trajectory.

The fragmented commercial printing industry faces substantial challenges as does the newspaper industry. While digital short-run printing and the signage industry seem to be recovering a bit faster, ultimately their growth will also be moderated by the progress of the overall economy. On the other hand book printing exports are doing well but they too face several supply-chain and logistics challenges.

The price of publication papers including newsprint has been high in the past year while availability is diminished by several mills shutting down their publication paper and newsprint machines in the past four years. Indian paper mills are also exporting many types of paper and have raised prices for Indian printers. To some extent, this has helped in the recovery of the digital printing industry with its on-demand short-run and low-wastage paradigm.

Ultimately digital print and other digital channels will help print grow in a country where we are still far behind in our paper and print consumption and where digital is a leapfrog technology that will only increase the demand for print in the foreseeable future. For instance, there is no alternative to a rise in textbook consumption but this segment will only reach normality in the next financial year beginning on 1 April 2023.

Thus while the new normal is a moving target and many commercial printers look to diversification, we believe that our target audiences may shift and change. Like them, we will also have to adapt with agility to keep up with their business and technical information needs.

Our 2023 media kit is ready, and it is the right time to take stock and reconnect with your potential markets and customers. Print is the glue for the growth of liberal education, new industry, and an emerging economy. We seek your participation in what promises to be an interesting ride.

– Naresh Khanna

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