Dynagraph CEO Antoine El Kara tells Ben Daniel about the company’s 65 years journey. Having grown from a family business to an international force, Dynagraph has good reason to remain optimistic even amid challenging times
With more than 65 years of experience in printing, Dynagraph is the leading player in the Middle Eastern graphics industry. As a pioneer and early adopter, backed by solid business sense and a well-defined support structure, Dynagraph draws on its understanding of local and international trends and developments to offer a range of tailor-made solutions, services and products, covering everything from preprint, print and post-print to corrugating, converting and packaging solutions. We spoke with Dynagraph CEO Antoine El Kara.
Antoine El Kara (AK): Dynagraph is the oldest regional distributor of graphic industry equipment, supplies, consumables, parts and services in the Middle East. Dynagraph dominates the regional graphic industry market because of its impeccable track record. Dynagraph has gained a reputation as a reliable partner as it uses its sales and service network extensively to support its customers across the region. It is bold, has integrity and delivers on promises made, and is both accountable and dependable. Dynagraph is first and foremost committed to its customers and its partners as it puts its reputation above all else.
Packaging MEA (PMEA): Can you share some recent success stories?
AK: Sadly, measuring success in recent months has been difficult. In late 2019, we saw some signs of a recovery only to be met with a devastating pandemic in 2020. The packaging sector is not immune to an internationalised economic crisis, even if affected to a lesser degree. And unfortunately capital investments were not on customers’ minds while trying to ride out the crisis.
Dynagraph meanwhile did make great strides with the signing of a reseller agreement for Saudi Arabia with Esko in 2019 for the sales and support of packaging management, design, prepress, digital flexo and digital print solutions, not to mention Esko’s digital finishing systems for the entire region. The signing of an earlier agreement with DuPont has equally been an immediate success with a rise in sales of Cyrel flexo plates and 3ES Mega flexographic plate-making solutions.
PMEA: Majan PP Ras Al Khaimah has been one of your key customers, with 16 Manroland machines procured. That speaks volumes of trust, dependability and prompt service. Tell us a bit about this.
AK: Dynagraph is proud to have contributed and to still be participating in Majan’s expansion since its establishment in 1996. The R707 LV Evolution is the latest and most modern Manroland offset press installed in the region – a real workhorse and a masterpiece of ingenuity.
PMEA: In what way has Covid-19 affected the industry?
AK: It has only exacerbated an already fragile economy and a frail industry. Fears of a slowdown in collection caused us to take some precautions to avoid increasing our market exposure. But we do see in 2021 a gradual recovery and renewed optimism for a turnaround by 2022.
PMEA: What else would you like to share with our readers?
AK: Dynagraph is consolidating its position as the region’s industry leader while mitigating risk. And before the end of 2020 Dynagraph will move to more than 5,000sqm of purpose-built warehouse, office and display space in Dubai Production Free Zone.