Luxe Pack Shanghai
The second edition of Luxe Pack Shanghai (March 17-18, 2009), hosted significantly more visitors than the first one, which is already a success, considering the economic context. However, while the number of exhibitors was also on the rise, most of the “majors” of the high-end packaging industry that operate in China were not there. Aptar, Rexam, Alcan, SGD, HCP, Segede, Qualipac, etc. chose not to participate. Eventually, Heinz Glas, through its joint-venture in China, was the only leading manufacturer to exhibit.
Premium Beauty News talked to certain of these companies to understand their choice. Indeed, these companies said their market in China is limited to “the main international perfumery and cosmetic brands” and there are only few Chinese brands. Eventually, all these customers are met during Cosmoprof Hong Kong or Luxe Pack Monaco.
Furthermore, product sourcing companies such as Cosfibel or C. Group, their goal is to address the needs of European and US customers, not Asian ones.
Shanghai, the place to be
So, who was participating in Luxe Pack Shanghai? A lot of designers, of sourcing companies, of resellers in the paper and cardboard industry, a few manufacturers of injected packaging from China or Korea.
However it is clear that Shanghai is really the best place in Asia where developing a tradeshow on high-end packaging. Indeed, all the most important customers are located in the area. Luxe Pack will just need more time to grow.
Quadpack strengthens its position in China
After having opened a bureau in China in 2005, Quadpack has signed exclusive partnership agreements with the Jin Sheng company at the beginning of 2008 and, just a few weeks ago, with the Rui Chang company. The main reason behind these agreements is the need, to strengthen the relationship and to carry-on developing new ranges through a limited number of suppliers on the base of Quadpak’s quality system.
In 2008, Quadack developed more than 70 moulds for its customers and carried on proposing its “standards” (500 approved references) also available on its web site: www.quadpack.net
HCP carries on investing
While the company just started operations at its new injection plant in China last October (about USD 45 million invested), Jeff Chen, HCP’s President and CEO, just announced a new investment program featuring USD 15 million for 2009. The plan includes the opening of a second plant in North America, more precisely in Mexico, next October.
There are also several projects in the pipe, in particular a brand new mascara, which is announced as a “revolution”.
“We became a global company, underlines Jeff Chen. Our turnover, which is split between the USA (32%), Europe (25%) and China (24%), perfectly illustrates this."
Today, HCP in the world can propose 234 injection machines!
Diam steps into Japan
Diam, a group specialising in the manufacture of displays and other merchandising products, is already present in China (Diam Display China Co. LTD) and is strengthening its position in Asia through the opening of a sales office in Tokyo, Japan.
Aptar: a success story
Within a few years, the Aptar group became the unrivalled leader on its segment (dispensing systems) in China. Even if the contribution of the local subsidiary to the group’s global turnover remains modest, it enjoys an impressive growth.
“We grew by 31% in 2008 compared to 2007 and probably 20% ‘only’ in 2009,” says Thierry Rabu its manager. “And we obviously still have a heavy investment schedule for the next years, with the aim to become more than twice bigger during the next ten years!” he adds.
Knoll Packaging: targeting Europe
Knoll Packaging, a designer and manufacturer of boxes, headquartered in New York (turnover US$ 32 million in 2008) intends to use its new manufacturing facility in China (250 staff), as a springboard to the European market. Jeremy D. Cohen, President and CEO, considers that its Chinese implantation gives him the right assets to interest European cosmetics and perfumes makers.
