15th November 2010, Dubai: An agreement being announced last week by Giffin Graphics and Hareb General Trading to entitle Printec LLC as the sub distributor of one of their premiums- Arjowiggins Creative Papers for the UAE market. The contract was signed to cover local market from end to end. This partnership would play a vital role in Giffin’s expansion plan started beginning of 2010, considering Printec as one of the active partners in specialty paper products distribution in UAE market.
“It’s a strategic initiative driven by us to boost our strength through cooperating with effective local partners such as Printec to promote Arjowiggins Fine Papers- one of our premium products” Mr.Khaldoun Yahfoufi; Giffin’s paper & supplies manager, said. “We are much careful in choosing our strategic partners and Printec was an ideal choice to fulfill marketing plans” He added.
On the other hand, Printec expressed their excitement towards this agreement in which Mr. Mazen Haj, the managing director, said: “Building a partnership with one of the regions’ leaders in Press Printing Supply for the last 32 years is an additional feather in our cap. It definitely proofs our presence in local market and how effective we are. Adding Arjowiggins as a premium product to our collection will enhance our market share as well”.
Since consolidated efforts are a required demand due to current market situation, this agreement will empower distribution forces and raise annual revenue for both parties.
Giffin Graphics presenting a corner stone of printing industry for the region covering UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, as well as the recent launched branch in KSA.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, October 2010: Giffin Graphics, Gulf’s leading equipment and consumables suppliers in the printing and graphic arts industry has announced changes in several senior management posts at its headquarters and operating companies. According to the company, the changes in the posts were aimed at further strengthening the group’s operations locally and regionally, and across its core businesses of Digital Graphics Systems, Machinery, Papers and Supplies and After Sale Service.
Cherian P. Cherian, the Manager of Papers and Supplies Division, retired in October this year, after a high-flying 28 year career with Giffin Graphics. Cherian started his career with Giffin Graphics in 1982 in Abu Dhabi. Having proved his efficiency in sales, he was transferred with promotion to Giffin Graphics’ Branch Manager in Bahrain, where he served six years. Thereafter he was again transferred to Sharjah as Manager of Papers and Supplies Division for the entire whole Giffin Graphics group. During his tenure at Giffin Graphics, Cherian had a significant role in developing the customers and suppliers base for the company.
Under the new changes in the management, Cherian will be replaced by Khaldoun T. Yahfoufi, as the new Manager of Papers and Supplies division. Yahfoufi joined Giffin Graphics’ Sharjah branch in 2000, to work in the Supplies and Machinery division of the company, for UAE and Oman markets. In 2002, Yahfoufi was assigned to establish Giffin Graphics’ Manager for the Qatar Branch. After eight successful years in Qatar, Yahfoufi has been appointed as the Manager of Paper and Supplies Division at Giffin Graphics’ Sharjah Branch overseeing the complete Gulf region.
Speaking about his promotion, Yahfoufi commented, “I am grateful and optimistic and have a good faith that things will be better. New strategies are being implemented for the interest of Giffin Graphics and our clients by our entire team.” Walid Wehbe, who has been with Giffin Graphics since 2001, will replace Khaldoun Yahfoufi in Qatar. Wehbe has been involved in the printing industry in Lebanon since finishing his studies in 1997, and he joined Giffin Graphics in 2001. Wehbe was the obvious choice to take charge of the Qatar branch – he is expected to take the branch activities to another level of excellence and distinction.
In addition, this month, Giffin Graphics has also opened a new branch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Mahmoud Alfasatleh joined Giffin Graphics’ Sharjah branch in 2008 as Sales and Technical Support Engineer for the Digital Graphics Systems Division. During his career at Giffin Graphics’ Sharjah branch, Alfasatleh installed Durst machine in GCC and Levant countries. He has now been promoted as the Branch Manager for the new facility in Saudi Arabia. Speaking about his new assignment, Alfasatleh said, “Giffin Graphics has ambitious plans to expand in Saudi Arabia. In our first phase of expansion, we will focus on the Riyadh market for digital printing presses and large format printer market. Next, in phase 2, we will enter the Jeddah market. We can’t ignore the huge $7.6 billion market in Saudi Arabia.”
Elaborating on the management changes, Ramzi Kteily, the Managing Partner of Giffin Graphics said, “The changes in the senior team will provide the company with strong leadership and experience in all aspects of our operations. Under their leadership, Giffin Graphics is well positioned to accomplish our strategic objectives in the regional printing and graphics arts industry. Throughout their careers, Cherian, Yahfoufi, Wehbe and Alfasatleh have provided valuable effort and leadership for the company. Their contributions are recognised by everyone who has been associated with them.”
In accordance with their policy of building a stronger platform for environmental responsibility, the Dubai-based Emirates Environmental Group has taken a step a forward by printing its latest corporate profile on Eural Premium, a 100% recycled, coated paper from Arjowiggin's.
The high-quality coated paper features a high level of whiteness and brightness and boasts the best of both aesthetic and environmental features. Eural Premium is produced without the use of bleaching or chemical treatments, has a smooth natural feel and is available in 100, 115, 170 and 300gsm.
According to Arjowiggins' Charles de JAMES, MEA Creative Papers Sales & Marketing Director , “In this day and age there is no excuse not to use environmentally-friendly products, including paper. All Arjowiggins’ recycled paper is of the highest quality, relatively inexpensive and FSC-certified. We urge all businesses to follow in EEG’s footsteps and go greener when it comes to paper.”
EEG’s Chairperson, Mrs. Habiba Al Marashi said, “As an organization, we believe that by purchasing and actively using environmentally-friendly paper, we are not only saving natural resources, but are also motivating all members of the community to make the change to a greener way of life in whatever way they can.”
Arjowiggin's – the world’s largest manufacturer of creative and technical papers – offers several premium FSC-certified paper ranges.
Conqueror: the 100% recycled version of the flagship brand, ‘Conqueror’ is available in all the popular finished including Wove, Laid and CX 22 in sizes including A4, SRA2 and B1.
Opale: 100% and 50% Opale recycled paper is described by Arjowiggin's as a “modern corporate solution with a professional fee” and is available in 100, 150 and 300gsm.
The KeayKolour: The 75% Recycled KeayKolour range combines traditional technique with original finish.
According to Charles de JAMES , KeayKolour is “best used for luxury packaging, press kits, leaflets, invitations, inserts and business cards."
Giffin Graphics has supplied and distributed Arjowiggin's paper ranges across the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain for the last two decades.
Giffin Graphics has held a Pre-IPEX seminar entitled “Newest Innovations in Offset Printing and Technology” for its partner KBA.
The seminar – held at the Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel and Towers – saw 220 Giffin Graphics clients attending to gain insights into what to expect during the IPEX exhibition in May.
Giffin Graphics managing partner Ramzi Kteily welcomed Giffin’s clients to the event by delivering an inspiring welcome speech. Kteily emphasised his optimism about the future of the print sector and the economy as a whole. He added that he was looking forward to each one’s progress.
KBA’s Vice President Sales, Dietmar Heyduck was also present at the seminar and gave an in-depth presentation about the KBA Group, its global presence as well as details of the KBA product range comprised of newspaper, commercial, sheetfed, digital and security printing machines. Heyduck revealed that KBA was the only printing machine manufacturer that made profit and increased market share across the globe in 2009.
KBA’s Senior Sales Manager Middle East, Dr. Taufik Fauzi was also present at the event and undertook a technical comparison between KBA and competitor printing machines respectively, translating these differences as sources of additional income for KBA users. The presentation saw an enthusiastic response from the audience with several questions being asked regarding KBA machines. Dr. Taufik was on hand to answer the questions.
According to Dr. Taufik, printers needed to remember that the key to making money was increasing margins and profits by reducing costs and increasing productivity.
“The KBA machine is a champion in cost savings,” Dr Taufik said.
“Its unique design gives printers an edge when it comes to savings, impression after impression year after year,” he added.
With regards to saving using KBA’s machines, Dr. Taufik said that energy saving (through the gear train design), make ready time saving (through plate time changing), waste saving (through impression on, impression off) and operational cost saving (through washing design and so forth) were the most important aspects to consider when purchasing equipment.
KBA’s 800m2 stand (6D560) at the international IPEX 2010 trade fair will represent the latest sheetfed offset technologies for commercial, book, plastics and packaging printing in small, half and medium formats, together with the associated integrated workflows and branch software.
Presses to be showcased at the IPEX trade fair include the Rapida 106, Rapida 105, Rapida 75 and the Genius 52UV.
Commenting on the state of the business in the Middle East, KBA’s Dietmar Heyduck said: “We truly believe that KBA technology is the key to success. Our market share of new printing presses sold in the Middle East has increased to more than 30% in the last five years and we are convinced that the Middle East will be a future partner for the European printing industry. KBA has identified the importance of the Middle East region – especially when it comes to print - and is concentrating on it.”
Dr. Taufik also added that after IPEX, KBA intended to organise free seminars every year. These will “focus on achieving higher efficiency, quality and productivity with fewer costs”.
IPEX takes place every four years. It will be held in Birmingham from May 18 – 25 this year. Visit www.ipex.org for more information.
Giffin Graphics participated in the Gulf Print 2009 Exhibition held at the Dubai Airport EXPO on the heels of its participation in Gulf Print 2007 Exhibition, reflecting the importance and prominence of the Gulf Print event at the regional level. The participation of Giffin Graphics came in a big and most impressive way as Giffin Graphics showcased 22 of its major brands covering the complete range of the printing industry starting by pre press Agfa Avalon, KBA Rapida 75 sheet fed printing and Muller Martini Presto E90 machines, Betz ink supplies systems, Oce digital Black & White and colour machines, Hunkeler narrow web finishing machines and Hunkeler Systeme waste extraction machines, Folien Fischer narrow web finishing supplies. Durst flat bed large format UV curable inkejet ink machine, Seiko digital solvent printing machine, plus complete array of small machines, folding, laminating, punching and collating. Giffin Graphics also displayed SunChemical offset & web ink suppliers and Solaris narrow web UV ink, the famous Arjowiggins fine paper and Natura / PaperCorea inkjet media. In addition, representatives from Technique MIS, Axima, Horauf, KBA Metronic, Apollo sheeters and Knowledge View attended the exhibition on the Giffin Graphics stand.
Giffin Graphics carries the full spectrum of supplies for the printing and graphic industry. The variety is massive. However, all products are of high quality at competitive prices. We were proud to display the small machines as well as were the big machines. At Giffin Graphics, we cater to a wide array of clients that have different needs and budgets. What we offer covers all requirements by printers, publishers, newspaper printing houses, commercial printing presses, and the packaging, digital, media, small printing presses.
We were more than happy to reap the fruits of the relentless efforts made earlier by our experienced sales team where we succeeded to sell most of the machines on display at the exhibition to clients from the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt. Most of the big machines on display caught the attention of more than one client and were sold to them making the Gulf Print 2009 a very successful event.
Although the economic situation is weighing on everyone to varying degrees, we, at Giffin Graphics managed to close many sales at Gulf Print 2009 due to our full commitment and our thorough understanding of the needs of our clients and their circumstances. That was our policy for the last 30 years and would remain so.
Rudolf Müller, CEO of Swiss binding machine manufacture Muller Martini, visited Dubai in October 2008.
Muller Martini is an international operation and a market leader in the development, manufacture, and sale of a wide range of print finishing systems, as well as of variable web offset printing solutions.
During his visit, Müller met with the company's most recent clients in Dubai, Masar Printing & Publishing, and Emirates Printing Press.
The companies, both leaders in the industry, each invested in the efficient, high-performance adhesive binding Corona C15 Perfect Binding machine and the flexible Prima Plus Amrys Saddle Stitcher, complete with extras and accessories, and equipped with JDF/JMF connectivity to Muller Martini Connex workflow.
The two machines have been delivered to Masar Printing & Publishing and are currently being installed at their new premises in International Media Production Zone.
Emirates Printing Press also invested in an Avanti Press Delivery Log Stacker and Forte Stackers. All four machines were delivered and installed at their premises in Dubai in last year.
Mr. Ramzi Kteily, Mr. Mohamed Al Shirawi, Mr. Rudolph Muller, Mr. Samuel Natrajan
Müller thanked both clients for their continuous trust and confidence in Muller Martini machines. Masar and EPP are loyal partners with Muller Martini and this partnership started many years ago when both companies invested in Muller Martini Solutions. Commenting on the industry's progress, Müller said, "I am very impressed with the competitiveness of the printing industry in Dubai, and the high quality of work produced here." Muller expressed his gratitude for both companies and their loyalty as satisfied users of solutions supplied by Muller Martini.
Mr. Faisal Bin Haider, Mr. Abdullatif Al Sayegh, Mr. Rudolph Muller, Mr. Najib Awad
Giffin Graphics is proud to be associated with internationally reputed brands like Muller Martini. It is partnerships with some of the best names in the business that have made us a pioneer and leader in the region's printing and graphic arts industry for the last three decades.
The renowned Al Arab/Dar Al Sharq in the state of Qatar, as the first newspaper publisher in the Middle East, will commission a ProLiner into operation in the middle of next year. The decision in favor of the high-performance system from Muller Martini came following a convincing demonstration at the drupa stand in Düsseldorf.
According to the general manager Abdul Latif A. Al-Mahmoud, high production demands were the reason Al Arab/Dar Al Sharq chose a fully integrated mailroom system from Muller Martini. The ProLiner, with its five-feeder high-performance inserting system is accompanied by a stitching unit. This will allow Al Arab/Dar Al Sharq to manufacture completely new, innovative printed products – like semi-commercial products with high-gloss covers.
With these separate products, some of which have inserts, Al Arab/Dar Al Sharq will not only be increasing the utilization rate of its printing press, but also of its mailroom. The renowned publisher will be generating new sources of income through the higher level of utilization, so the systems will be increasing their return on investment. Since the products are manufactured in-line in only one pass, Al Arab/Dar Al Sharq can minimize production times significantly.
At drupa in Düsseldorf Al Arab/Dar Al Sharq and Muller Martini signed a contract for the installation of a high-performance ProLiner inserting system with integrated stitching unit: Shakehands between Fayek Shawky (center), Financial Controller Al Arab/Dar Al Sharq, Alois Hochstrasser (left), Director Müller Martini Marketing, and Mohammed Al Daheri, General Manager Giffin Graphics.
Just six months ago, Horizon Printing Industries in Sharjah (United Arab Emirates) fired up a Rapida 105 five-colour coater press with extended delivery and board capability. And as this issue of Daily goes to press a second Rapida, an eight-colour perfector, is on the high seas heading for Horizon. But all good things come in threes, which is why managing director Aunali Khimji has now placed an order at Drupa for a third Rapida 105, this time a six-colour coater version with UV, hybrid and microflute capabilities.
The second and third Rapidas will not be installed at Horizon’s Sharjah headquarters but at two new production plants the company is building at a total cost of Euro 10 million in the International Media Production Zone (IMPZ) in Dubai. What is more, Rapida number two will be the first litho press to come on stream in this brand new tax free zone. This is because Horizon goes where capacity is required. From Dubai it can export to Egypt, Iraq and other states in the Middle East.
Aunali Khimji, his family, representatives from Giffin Graphics and Dr Taufik Fauzi of KBA at the Rapida 106 on the KBA stand
The quality and performance of the first press were what persuaded Aunali Khimji to install more Rapidas. Ramzi N. Kteili, managing partner of KBA sales agency Giffin Graphics, is naturally delighted: “KBA is extremely popular in the Gulf states. Without exception, all Rapida users earn good money with their presses.”
Representatives of Horizon, Giffin Graphics and KBA cutting a cake at Drupa to celebrate the third contract within six months
Giffin Graphics, the market leader in the printing industry, unveiled a sneak peek of its latest offerings at “Innovative Solutions and Applications’’.
There are very few companies in and around the UAE that can lay claim to the fact that they are true pioneers. These are companies that have been around since the inception of this young country, and have been part of its stupendous success story over the last three decades. Giffin Graphics is one such enterprise that effortlessly slots into the ‘pioneer’ category.
Established 30 years ago, when the Gulf’s printing and graphic arts industry was in its nascent stage, the UAE-based Giffin Graphics is today firmly established as a leading supplier in its field. They have helped hundreds of clients make the right impression over the years, and continue to set new standards of excellence for other to emulate. Giffin Graphics, in conjunction with their partners KBA, will have a significant presence at Drupa 2008, one of the largest and most important printing exhibitions in the world.
Drupa 2008 will be held in Düsseldorf, Germany from May 29 to June 11 this year, and comes around only once every four years. The essentials of what have made Giffin Graphics a name to reckon with - a world class team, quality products, out-of-the-box solutions, expert support services and impeccable business ethics, coupled with a strong support sponsor and partner – will be on display at the show.
As a precursor to the main event, Giffin Graphics with their partner KBA hosted “Innovative Solutions and Applications” on 18 March. The pre-Drupa 2008 seminar, sponsored by KBA held in the Grand Hyatt Dubai and followed by a dinner at the Hyatt Gardens. KBA are world market leaders in large format sheetfed offset printing machines, notably the super large format size 1510 x 2050 mm. KBA highlight is the new “Drivetronic”, which allow the simultaneous change of all 4 or 6 or 8 or more plates at the same time, thus, saving time significantly and allow more time to print than to prepare.
The Pre-Drupa 2008 seminar gave Giffin Graphics’ extensive clientele an opportunity to get a glimpse at what will be in store at the KBA Drupa Stand in Düsseldorf, and gave them an exclusive sneak peek about what to expect before it is unveiled to the rest of the world. It’s yet another effort by Giffin Graphics to put their clients ahead of the rest, and promises to be an event that will set the stage for the main act to follow at Drupa 2008.
Welcome to our Giffin Graphics Pre Drupa 2008 KBA seminar.
It has become a habit that we give our partners (all of you here), a glimpse of what our major principal and partner KBA will be showing before each major trade show.
I recall Pre-Ipex 2006, Pre-Gulf Print 2007 and now Pre-Drupa 2008.
Fortunately in all the three events the feed back we received was good, and the results were shown with the order confirmations during the events.
We hope we will see the same success this year as well.
I want to take this opportunity to share with you some major news of great importance to Giffin Graphics. We have finalized the blue prints of our new head quarters at IMPZ and in these new premises we have designed a specialized training center. The purpose of this technical center is to be even closer to our customers, to improve and raise the level of knowledge at very high standards to all of our KBA users.
Across the board we have located a weakness at the continued educational level when it comes to operators, machine minders, supervisors etc… to fill this gap there is nothing better than to give those people an opportunity to improve their capability and knowledge through theoretical and practical training.
Ladies and Gentlemen, today we have one KBA web offset engineer and one KBA sheet fed instructor assigned from the factories in Wurzburg and Radebeul. Those engineers are staying with us in our premises, their mission is to assist you our partners by giving technical and theoretical support when and as needed to your printers. We take this opportunity to assure that every single KBA user that he will be maximizing the use of the machine and thus maximizing his returns.
What makes me even happier is that I learned yesterday that the Printing and Publishing Group in Dubai are thinking within the lines of establishing a printing or training center in Dubai. I take this opportunity to support such an action which will definitely be a pillar in raising the qualities of printing in this part of the world. Published 18|03|2008
Giffin Graphics is pleased to announce the launch of the revamped corporate website. Over the past months we have been working eagerly to realize what will be the first of a series of enhancements.
We modernized the visual appearance, to give it a fresh and friendly yet clear look while emphasizing our corporate color code. The introduction of site sections that relate to our divisions and the listing of products according to the technology make it easy to navigate and find desired information.
Several technical enhancements have been added with the introduction of a site map, a full-text search, a list of web links of our suppliers and a slide show of our products. A news section has also been added where the user will find important information about Giffin Graphics and our suppliers.
We hope that you will find our changes useful and interesting. Should you experience any difficulty in accessing our website or if you would like to provide us with feedback, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Published 10|02|2008
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