Russian packaging leader to expand UAE operations

The Moscow-headquartered company says the planned 200 square metre facility will showcase its entire packaging machinery range of shrink-wrap and vertical-form-fill-seal (VFFS) equipment.

Termopak says the move comes as Russian packaging technology is increasingly challenging Western alternatives throughout the Gulf.

'Previously regional companies automatically looked to Europe for their packaging needs,' said Konstantin Feklin, Director, Termopak. 'With the market becoming increasingly competitive, and price sensitivity an issue, more companies are investigating Russian solutions.'

According to Feklin, Russian packaging technology is often less than half the price of its Western counterparts, more durable and less complex.

'Russian machines are heavy duty. They are designed for simplistic operation, are hard-wearing and easy to use,' he said.

Termopak is also gearing up for the launch, early next year of its latest VFFS offering.

'We will introduce this machinery at the PackTech International exhibition in Dubai in January,' said Serguei Kouznetsov, General Manager, Termopak. 'This has already received a good response from an exhibition in Germany so we have decided to stage a launch for the Middle East.

'At the show we will also demonstrate how our new UAE facilities will dramatically decrease product delivery time. Many regional suppliers are agents for international companies resulting in order fulfillment taking between 60-90 days. We will be one of the only packaging machinery companies to stock its entire product range here in the UAE, drastically cutting time-to-market,' concluded Kouznetsov.

Termopak is the sole Russian exhibitor so far confirmed for PackTech International, which will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from January 12-15. The show's exhibitor profile to date also includes companies from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

'Recent industry analysis has shown that the packaging industry in the Middle East is re-emerging from the post September 11, 2001 doldrums. Exhibitors are reporting double-digit order growth over the past six months, which will in turn impact materials and machinery suppliers,' said Clive Richardson, CEO, Fairs and Exhibitions (F&E), which organises the show.