Reprotronics General Manager Sebastian Lonth tells Packaging MEA: “The challenges are obvious, but Reprotronics calls on 26 years of experience and a handsome reputation to give it confidence for the future”
With a simple but effective mantra – “Be the Best!” – Reprotronics has been delivering best-in-technology graphic communication solutions for more than 26 years now. Established in 1993, under the umbrella of the Thomsun Group, Reprotronics delivers quality services using state of the art technology and exceptional operator skillsets housed within a superior, top-class infrastructure.
Based in Dubai Investments Park with built-up facilities of more than 10,000sq m, Reprotronics uses the latest equipment and cutting-edge technology manned by hardcore professionals. The company promises that clients can sit anywhere in the world to work with its team and achieve their business goals, thanks to its Digital Asset Management (DAM) service. Steered by visionary professionals and powered by the intelligent use of technology, the Thomsun Group has a 2,500-strong workforce and a host of entrepreneurial milestones in diversified sectors. It is recognised as a market leader in its fields of operations and has achieved this through a focused approach, strong market intelligence, attention to detail, sound deployment of modern technology and a constant commitment to quality.
As part of this, Reprotronics employs more than 150 people across two countries, making up a team that is global, diverse and passionate about taking on the market’s toughest challenges. Reprotronics’ services include prepress and pre-media Services, creative and photography, DAM and packaging pre-production (flexo and offset), as well as offering a complete label and packaging workflow with the Esko artwork system.
Packaging MEA Editor Ben Daniel interviews Sebastian Lonth, General Manager at Reprotronics LLC
Packaging MEA (PMEA):
Can you give us a brief profile about yourself and some information about your role as the General Manager of Reprotronics LLC, specifically your vision, mission and future goals?
General Manager,
Reprotronics LLC
Sebastian Lonth (SL): As the General Manager of Reprotronics, I am contributing to the industry a lot by supporting and involving many industry activities with Dubai Chamber as a business group member as well as with industry suppliers. Our vision is to offer the best service, providing support to the printers and converters with best-in-the-world technology and standards. Our mission is to support the industry and maintain international standards. Our future plans are to continue with passion and determination to achieve and cope with the region’s needs.
PMEA: In the recent past you have made some unique investments in prepress and allied machinery for the packaging sector. Could you please give us the highlights of these reforms and strategic changes?
SL: Recently we have invested and upgraded our machineries and software for the flexible packaging sector, and especially for the cup printing and converting industry, to guarantee the best print result for by improving the prepress service. This is also the case for the offset packaging for die-blocks for foil and emboss by magnesium and brass materials.
PMEA: Looking from a potential post-coronavirus perspective, how do you think the packaging industry will evolve in Q3 and Q4 of 2020, particularly in the GCC and, to be specific, within the UAE – one of the biggest markets in this region?
SL: Post-Covid, Q3 and Q4 are going to be very challenging. If we don’t control our operations carefully, we won’t be able to face the turbulence in the industry and ensure its stability. Credit control is another key segment to focus on. There will be unexpected fluctuations in Q3 and Q4, depending on the products and segments we are currently producing and marketing.
PMEA: What do you feel is the one technology trend within the industry that cannot be ignored?
SL: The technology trend within the industry that can never be ignored, whether it is digital or conventional, is that the steady Improvements in automation and artificial intelligence means these technologies will play a greater role in the future, with minimum human involvement for the greater productivity factor.
PMEA: How important is connectivity technology, artificial intelligence and automation for Reprotronics’ future?
SL: Actually, it’s not really helpful in this present environment.
PMEA: Flexible packaging has been growing rapidly across the globe and particularly in the MEA region for the past five to six years. With flexibles and labels as your core business, what are your thoughts on this growing sector of packaging? Will this continue to grow?
SL: As the population multiplies, the consumption of food will keep increasing rapidly simultaneously, and so too will demand for these products.
PMEA: Why do you think packaging printers and converters should choose Reprotronics as their preferred packaging supplier?
SL: Packaging printers and converters choose Reprotronics as their preferred packaging supplier only because of the consistency in quality and reliability which we have continually proven over the past 26 years. We consider competition will help us to ‘think beyond’, and we believe “Reality is only for those who lack imagination”.
PMEA: Finally, tell us something about yourself that may be a surprise to us and our readers?
SL: Be sincere and passionate about what you do, respect and honour the ones with whom you are associated. Don’t run after riches – when we focus what God has called us to do faithfully (which is your real passion), then riches will run after you. That is what I have seen and experienced in my 30-plus years of professional life.