New UAE label converter Paramount installs Lombardi Flexoline

The company also prints variable images and text to create compelling personalized marketing messages.

Saqar Ali, owner of Paramount Label Printing Press, says that having accumulated 28 years of commercial experience in the label printing industry, the move to set up his own label converting business was inevitable. ‘The label industry is growing at a healthy rate, and I believe it is an evergreen field. Hence, venturing into the label printing industry as a label converter was undoubtedly the next stage of my career.’ Prior to his own venture Paramount, Ali worked for UAE-based converter Labelco International.

The name Paramount signifies the standards the company seeks to maintain in its manufacturing processes and with its clients. Ali has spent approximately 680k USD (AED 2.5 million) in setting up Paramount’s factory.

Quality

The label converter has started its operations with a Lombardi Flexoline 430 installed by printing press manufacturer Vinsak, which distributes Lombardi presses in the region.

Lombardi claims the print quality of this flexographic press is ‘almost up to offset printing’ with fast changeover of plate cylinders and anilox rollers. The press has the capability for reverse printing, cold foiling and up to 9-color printing.

‘After adequate research and analysis, we settled upon this machine due to its high printing speeds, quality and reliability. We have also invested in a flatbed die-cutting and slitter rewinder machines,’ shares Ali.

‘Vinsak has been highly supportive and instrumental in helping us to finalize the Synchroline flexo machine and then install and begin production even during the pandemic,’ he continues. ‘Their technical expertise and after-sales support are highly regarded in this part of the world.’

“The local label market currently revolves around the retail and industrial sectors. Since the retail market is flourishing, we intend to align our services to it”

Paramount will primarily print pressure-sensitive labels, including BOPP, semigloss labels, freezer labels, thermal transfer labels, barcode labels, piggyback labels, booklet labels, and specialty labels that are suitable for both retail and industrial applications.

The company’s factory has a surface area of 4,000 sq ft (372sqm). Labelstock is mostly purchased from Stick-on and SMI, based in India, and from Dura Printing Materials Trading locally.

‘Most of our clients are from the retail and manufacturing industries. We will also serve the petroleum, pharmaceutical, medical, chemical and logistics industries. The local label market currently revolves around the retail and industrial sectors. Since the retail market is flourishing, we intend to align our services to it,’ says Ali.

‘We are currently a team of 22 members. While hiring we have looked for specific skill sets like good communication, teamwork, problem-solving attitude, critical analysis and creativity. This not only helps create an efficient environment but also promotes positivity and a sense of continuous growth amongst our employees.’

Ali says the company’s next purchase will be an intermittent offset press, given the market trend towards short runs of labels. ‘We plan to procure it by the end of the year. As far as package printing is concerned, we aspire to lay a foundation in this sector soon,’ shares Ali.