Valuable sales, quality leads and outstanding networking opportunities were the key takeaways from AFRICA PRINT 2013 and exhibitors and visitors were unanimous that attending the exhibition at Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre was time well spent.
Graphix Supply World Sales Director Darryl Braithwaite summed it up best: “’The show was great. Visitors were there to purchase equipment, not just look, and we sold all the machines on our stand with orders for more.” Other indications of AFRICA PRINT success included a boost in international numbers – with visitors flying in from Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and Nigeria – and the satisfied response to the variety and calibre of equipment on show.
“Expo sponsor Xerox launched its wide-format IJP 2000, sold its first Xerox iGen 150 press to a customer in the Middle East Africa region and was understandably delighted with the reaction to the cutting-edge technology featured on its stand, as were Kodak distributors Antalis South Africa, Ricoh SA, Ipex and Kemtek,” says organiser Dyelan Copeland. Also attracting plenty of interest was next-generation equipment – such as Konica Minolta South Africa’s award winning digital presses.
“Our established Conference – addressed by international industry experts – and our brand new hands-on Training Zone ensured there was something for everyone,” says Copeland, “and the growing support we’re receiving across the continent gives us confidence that AFRICA PRINT is satisfying a very real business need.” One of the many exhibitors who concur is Bytes Document Solutions CEO, Johan Basson: “We took the opportunity to announce several customer wins and new product launches and, overall, the Expo was a great success for us.”
For Ricoh SA’s, Vaughan Patterson, continued exposure for the brand, its products and its unique offers were the key benefits: “Last year, Ricoh was a new experience for many attendees, particularly in the production printing arena, but this year they knew the brand, had been exposed to the equipment and solutions and were better educated. The various technology and solution sessions we hosted at our stand also helped tremendously to gain exposure for our expertise and specialties.”
Ipex Holdings MD Bruce Allen was equally pleased: “As a regional exhibition, AFRICA PRINT provides a platform for customers who do not attend a drupa or Ipex international exhibition to see some of the world leading brands represented by Ipex. An excellent product range and dedicated sales personnel – supported by our AFRICA PRINT award-winning international guests – all contributed to a successful Expo for us and we were pleased to meet customers from all over South Africa and many neighbouring countries. Once again, Ipex is extremely happy with the outcome of AFRICA PRINT.”
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Congratulations to the following exhibitors who were awarded Africa Print Expo honours for their stand designs and the friendliness/professionalism of their staff:
Small Stand Floor Space Award:
1st – Keymark/ Runner-Up – ITSA Copier Consumables
Small Stand Shell Scheme Award:
1st – Printer’s Parts & Equipment/ Runner-Up – CPAC Imaging & Printing SA
Medium Floorspace Award:
1st (tie) – AGFA, AWT swissQprint and Sign-Tronic
Medium Stand Shell Scheme Award:
1st – Applied Imaging/ Runner-Up – Kemtek
Large Floorspace Award:
1st – Nashua/ Runner-Up (tie) – Sharp & Ricoh SA
Mega Floorspace Award:
1st – Antalis South Africa/ Runner-Up – Graphix Supply World
Mega Stand Shell Scheme Award:
1st – Xerox
For more information, please visit www.africaprint.com
