December 2007

BPIF Cartons checks out China

A party of members of BPIF Cartons, lead by BPIF Director Mike Hopkins, joined colleagues from the rest of Europe including Turkey in a visit to Shanghai to check out the state of carton printing in China. 

The trip was centred on the Sino Folding Carton Exhibition which not only showcased Chinese and world carton converting equipment but also provided the opportunity for European and Chinese carton converters to meet in the "East West Dialogue" seminar. The seminar featured presentations from both European carton industry representatives and Chinese carton converters with Mike Hopkins giving a view on the current state of the UK carton industry and Jason Short of Qualvis Ltd describing his company and his reasons for being there. 

But the main reason for many of the delegates making the journey was the visits to Chinese carton converting companies. With the help of the show organisers Reed Huayin, Bobst and Chinese converting equipment manufacturers Yawa a number of companies were identified in and around Shanghai and the group were made very welcome with extensive tours of the production facilities. But more than that there were opportunities for both Chinese and UK carton printers to ask questions and exchange views on their respective industries. 

Back at the show the next day saw the opportunity for some of the 60 interested Chinese carton converters to come along and meet the European converters to explore synergies. Whether any of the discussions are taken further only time will tell, but if you were not there, then you will never know! 

Mike Hopkins said "This was a fantastic opportunity to meet representatives from an industry that receives so much publicity in Europe and to judge the threat or opportunity for yourself. Which is it? In truth its both, the Chinese industry is less efficient than in Europe but has a labour cost advantage of a factor of 12".