It does feel exhilarating to work on the 100th edition of WHERE To Print magazine. When it all began in 2008, our focus was to practice responsible journalism by offering print investors quality research-based information that aids print purchase decisions. And it’s gratifying to know that we have remained focused on that in line with our mantra to ‘Influence print purchase decision’, and as such, we are eternally grateful to all of you who believe in us, especially our patrons. It does feel ‘old,’ but we remain nimble, forward-thinking, and excited to take on the next projects in an industry that is fast evolving. More on this in subsequent issues, so what’s in this special edition?
Starting spectacularly with both PRINT IMPACT AROUND NIGERIA (on page 10) and PRINT IMPACT AROUND THE WORLD (from page 11), this issue also highlights the recently held Middle East’s most influential platform for global digital printing, textile, signage, and screen printing industries, FESPA Middle East 2026, in a post-show analysis shows that more than 75% of visitors held senior roles. Check this out in the SPECIAL FEATURE ARTICLE aptly captioned: FESPA MIDDLE EAST 2026 SECURES POSITION AS MARKET LEADER AS INVESTMENT INTENT SURGES. Turn to page 14 to find out more, and mark your calendar for the 2027 dates (12 to 14 January) at the same Dubai Exhibition Centre venue.
As the first issue of the 2026 Business Year, we have specially compiled and curated a series of SPECIAL FEATURE INTERVIEWS of top Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The aim is to aid industry entrepreneurs and managers’ knowledge on how to upscale their businesses, better serve their market, and inventory (particularly machine) management, among other salient issues, in today’s complex business climate. This is especially so as one knows that proper maintenance is key; that is, a good business stems from the way the equipment is managed.
In the light of this, we begin with India’s leading offset printing and allied machinery manufacturer – Autoprint Machinery Mfrs Pvt. LTD (Autoprint for short), which is still basking in the euphoria of the successful debut of one of its major brands, The Autoprint One-Colour Press at West Africa’s biggest packaging, plastics, printing, and food processing exhibition – PROPAK West Africa 2025. From page 16, find out why the company’s priority is essentially a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship in the exclusive SPECIAL FEATURE INTERVIEW with Autoprint’s Manager for International Business, Mr. H. Suresh Subramanian, fittingly titled: “OUR FOCUS IS ON LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS, LOCALIZED SUPPORT, AND OFFERING MACHINES THAT DELIVER VALUE, DURABILITY, AND EASE OF USE, PERFECTLY SUITED TO THE REGION’S REQUIREMENTS”.
On page 18, discover from Director, Lily Yang, how pioneer and leader in digital enhancement foil stamping technology, Guangzhou SAPA Precision Machinery Co., LTD. (DMS SAPA) provides advanced digital embellishment to drive innovation in packaging, branding, and redefine product appeal. The SPECIAL FEATURE INTERVIEW is captioned: “DMS EQUIPMENT HAS RICH FEATURES, SUCH AS SPOT UV, 3D EMBOSSING, CAST CURE, HOLOGRAM, BRAILLE, AND OTHER BRILLIANT FEATURES THAT CAN BE ACHIEVED WITHOUT PLATE-MAKING”.
Established in 2009 as a cutting-edge narrow-web printing solutions provider, Hontec Industries China Limited (Hontec for short) is today a renowned manufacturer of label printing presses and label finishing converting machines. With over 1,000 machine installations in China and more than 38 countries, the leading OEM has not only mastered the Art of Flexographic Presses and Label Converters, but has also earned a solid market reputation. It’s international Business Manager, Rebecca Wu, unearths how Hontec commits to not just helping ambitious business owners scale up their businesses with modern technologies but also forming lasting relationships with its customers as it expands its global footprint in West Africa. Open to pages 20, 21, and 34 for this SPECIAL FEATURE INTERVIEW appropriately tagged: “AT HONTEC, WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT ADVANCED, PRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY SHOULD BE ACCESSIBLE TO AMBITIOUS BUSINESSES OF ALL SCALES”.
With the title: “WE AIM TO PROVIDE A COMPLETE SOLUTION, FROM MACHINE ACQUISITION TO LIFELONG MAINTENANCE”, Guangdong Speed Machinery Technology Co., LTD (Speed Machinery for short), is the next SPECIAL FEATURE INTERVIEW. On pages 26 and 27, the International Business Manager, Mr. David Wang Mingcheng, discloses how the leading Chinese company is going to provide the innovative solution for insert folding equipment for the printing, pharmaceutical, books, cosmetics, and small packaging markets in West Africa nay Nigeria.
If you are looking for capacity, speed, and quality, the SPECIAL FEATURE INTERVIEW with Wenzhou YOUBOND Machinery Co., LTD (Youbond Machinery) Sales Manager, Mr. Michael Yu, is your sure plug. From page 28, discover how Youbond machines are crafted with modern high-precision laser equipment, offering customized solutions tailored to your market needs. That is why his submission: “WE FOCUS ON PROMOTING INTELLIGENT LAMINATING PRODUCTION LINES, AND MODELS ADAPTED TO ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS WHILE STRENGTHENING LOCAL SERVICE NETWORKS”, is indeed, the assurance you need.
And last but not least of these SPECIAL FEATURE INTERVIEWS is from the exclusive dealer of the aforementioned OEMs, Ankan Graphics Limited, which has remained committed to the vision of fulfilling the turnkey requirements for machinery, genuine spare parts, consumables such as inks, printing plates, printing chemicals, and other raw materials for its clients. Turn to page 36 to begin the interesting and educative piece of the exclusive tête-à-tête with the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kaleeswaran Nadar, on a wide range of issues in the market regarding right equipment acquisition, after-sales service, consumables supplies, capacity building, etc., which forms the appositely phrased quote: “BUSINESSES THAT INVEST IN THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY AND THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS WILL FIND THIS YEAR TO BE ONE OF UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH AND STABILITY”.
Finally, the last in the series of SPECIAL FEATURE INTERVIEWS, which doubles as the COVER STORY, is a deliberate attempt by the WHERE To Print Editorial Board to help print & allied businesses successfully navigate Nigeria’s new Tax Regime, which comes into effect from January 1 this year. That is why we narrowed down our search for an experienced professional in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, risk management, and of course, taxation, with equally impeccable industry experience to Mr. Godwin Ogilo, the Managing Director/CEO of Heidelberg Nigeria Limited, the subsidiary of the global print solutions provider, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. His insights are both fascinating and educational; hence, highly recommended. So, kindly turn to page 30 for the full interview, accurately titled: “PRINTING BUSINESSES MUST PREPARE FOR STRICTER REPORTING AND COMPLIANCE OBLIGATIONS”.
As I round off, this is to again thank and express our profound gratitude to our followers, readers, advertisers, and supporters over the last 100 editions of WHERE To Print magazine (Nigeria title). I know and acknowledge your uncompromising constructive criticism, support, and patronage, which always make the difference in what we do and how we do it. It’s truly a privilege to serve you this 100th edition as we look forward to 100 and more editions to come!
Please, take care of yourself, and spend quality time with your loved ones as you continue to successfully navigate this glorious 2026!
Do good always!
