Dubai: Al Madeena Printing Press, Dubai has invested in a Heidelberg CD 102 five-colour press with coater in a bid to expand its existing capacity to meet the demand within the region.
According to NP Mohammed Ashraf, general manager at Al Madeena Printing Press, 20% of its production is for captive consumption of the Al Madina Group requirements while the remaining services for the local and other regional markets especially Africa.
Al Madeena Printing Press is part of the Al Madina Group, and was established in 1971. The company’s portfolio of businesses include Al Madeena Hypermarket, Oasis Cuisines, Clikon Electronics & Home Appliances, Techorbit, Al Hind Jewellers, Platinum Middle East Properties, Live Care Clinic & Pharmacy and community shopping centres which operates from its new headquarters in Dubai Industrial Park.
The latest investment comes close on the heels of a similar press with coater installed last month. “As a group, Al Madeena has in-house requirements for packaging as well and that prompted us to venture into packaging print,” said Ashraf.
For the second press too, Al Madina pinned its faith in Heidelberg. “That’s because Heidelberg has been user-friendly press that is being widely used globally as well as here in our region. Also the spares and service support that we get from Heidelberg is excellent,” explained Ashraf.
However, before finalising the press, the company did study other German and Japanese options, but Heidelberg to be the best choice as it meets our requirement and that of our workers well. Ashraf said, “As far as the packaging print is concerned, we find that Heidelberg CD presses are very ideal and widely used here in our region as against the options. There was a very good feedback from Heidelberg CD users.
The Heidelberg CD 102 press is more apt for printing carton-based packaging jobs, said Ashraf. “We are currently focusing on direct and indirect contact food packaging jobs for our Al Madeena Group requirement and are also looking at more such kind of word (F&B Packaging) from outside as well.”
Besides the Heidelberg press, Al Madina is equipped with die-cutters and folder-gluers that complement their press production.