Dubai, UAE: The Navigator Company, Europe’s leading manufacturer of office paper, is among a score of European companies tapping into the Middle East, as it looks to continue its double-digit business growth in one of the world’s key emerging markets.
The Portuguese company posted record global sales volume for its uncoated woodfree paper in 2016, with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization reaching €397 million. The Middle East, Turkey, and Egypt, comprised 15 per cent of its sales distribution.
António Soares, The Navigator Company’s Marketing Director, said it will look to strengthen its position in the regional market further, when it participates for the 4th year in a row at Paperworld Middle East 2017, the region’s largest trade show for paper, stationery, and office supplies.
Soares said its continued association with the annual exhibition has been key to its expanded regional presence, where it has developed very beneficial commercial relationships over the years. “The Navigator Company enjoyed considerable interest for its presence, products and brands at Paperworld Middle East, from both existing and potential customers and the media,” said Soares.
“The contacts made and the strategic target in the neighbouring markets contributed to the regional growth in 2016, where sales percentage increased double digit year-on-year, highlighting the growing importance of these markets to our company.”
The 7th edition of Paperworld Middle East will take place from 14-16 March 2017 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The Navigator Company will be among more than 300 exhibitors from 36 countries taking part, where it will showcase its main paper brands, such as Pioneer, Discovery, Inacopia, Explorer, Multioffice and Target.
Added Soares: “The pride of place will go to Navigator, the world’s bestselling brand in the premium office paper segment, and the Consumer’s preferred Brand in Europe, according to Opticom. With our presence we intend to keep on strengthening the business relationships we have developed in this region, over many years now, adding to the drive generated in previous editions.”
Other major European companies returning to Paperworld Middle East 2017 include Vienna Office Supplies (VOS), the regional representative of eight European brands. French companies Beaumont Group and Exacompta will also return, and will be joined by Paxos school bag manufacturer from Greece, and Morocolor from Italy, a producer of art supplies.
Meanwhile, debut exhibitors testing the regional waters for the first time include Keba from Sweden, a manufacturer of ergonomically designed stationery and office supplies; and Tigres, Ukraine’s largest manufacturer of toys, baby bedding and clothing.
Inge Andersson, CEO of Keba, said: “The Middle East is an interesting market for us, and we’ll be at Paperworld Middle East to investigate the opportunities to develop our business in the region. We will show our high quality binders, display units and writepads, all suitable for use in tough environments and easy to customise. We see great potential in this market and hope for it to be increasingly important in the future.”
Dubchuk Iryna, the Co-owner of Tigres, added: “Currently we do not undertake any business in the Middle East, but we plan to start it in 2017. That is why we’re at Paperworld Middle East, and we believe our toys will bring joy to our future regional customers.
“We will demonstrate our own production toy cars, sand sets, building sets, puzzles, educational toys and sets of dishes. All Tigres toys are made of the highest quality plastic of EU origin, and they’re designed to develop the brainwork and motor skills of children, with rich colours and movable parts making playing more attractive,” added Iryna.
Paperworld Middle East is the region’s largest B2B trade show covering the entire range of stationery and office supplies, from school and gift articles, office or household paper, arts and crafts, and party and festival articles, to printers and multimedia.
“Paperworld Middle East has gained a solid reputation as a highly-effective facilitator and business generator for international companies looking to conclude new deals with regional buyers and distributors, said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of organiser, Messe Frankfurt Middle East.
“The consumption of office paper, supplies, school articles, and stationery, is sustained by the strong appreciation for high quality products and brands at Paperworld Middle East, which is further boosted by Dubai’s geographical proximity to regional markets.
“This year we will once again witness a robust presence on the show floor by international big names, all looking to make an impact with trade buyers from the region and beyond,” he added.
Paperworld Middle East 2017 will return with popular features including the Green Office Area, where the spotlight will shine on sustainably produced essential office supplies; and the Wrapstar gift wrapping competition. More information is available at: www.paperworldme.com.