Bytes Document Solutions (BDS), Africa’s leading document management technology and solutions company, and the authorised Xerox distributor in 26 sub-Saharan countries, has signed on as the Platinum sponsor for the 2015 Africa Print Expo.
The sponsorship covers the headline Johannesburg-based Expo, together with the accompanying regional roadshows.
This will be the sixth consecutive year that BDS, through Xerox, has sponsored the event, and its continued support represents the company’s commitment to a long-term association with the leading commercial and digital print
Expo in Africa. This year, the Africa Print Expo will take place from 22 to 24 July 2015 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
The first regional Expo will commence in Port Elizabeth on 18 February, with the others scheduled for Durban, Bloemfontein, and Cape Town, spread out throughout the year.
Xerox is also the headline sponsor of FESPA Africa, an associated event held at the same venues over the same period. FESPA is a platform that provides printers, sign makers and visual communications practitioners with a focused event to explore the latest technologies and trends in digital printing.
According to Paul Haglich, marketing manager for production systems at BDS, the sponsorship not only facilitates a powerful platform for exhibiting new products to drive sales, but also presents an opportunity to showcase the full spectrum of BDS’s service offering, encompassing a range of printing and digital solutions for small, medium and large businesses.
“Africa Print and FESPA Africa provide an excellent opportunity to reinforce Xerox’s dominant position in digital printing and solutions. These two Expos are a valuable showcase for the digital printing industry, not only for Southern Africa but also for many sub- Saharan African countries where we experienced a significant growth in digital press sales in 2014,” says Haglich.
“As Xerox’s leading distributor in the world we continue to drive the Xerox brand to derive maximum commercial gain from marketing initiatives such as the Africa Print Expo,” adds Haglich.
“We are excited that Xerox is our platinum sponsor for the sixth consecutive year. As an industry leader, their participation enhances the profile of the Expo with both visitors and exhibitors coming from all over the continent,” says Dyelan Copeland, organiser of Africa Print and FESPA Africa.
The Africa Print Expo is the premier continental showcase for the entire digital print process and will feature the full range of digital and printing products from sheetfed A3 machines up to grand format digital equipment. Some of the exhibitors and delegates will include both suppliers and manufacturers of commercial and digital printers, finishing equipment, software, media and consumables.
“What we have noticed is that prospective customers prefer to have a first-hand opportunity to test a particular product and speak to technical staff regarding more in-depth details of the equipment they want to acquire. The Africa Print Expo has positioned itself as the perfect stage for such testing, and both BDS and Xerox have gained excellent brand exposure over the years. We are proud of our association with the event and hope to continue the partnership with them in the future,” Haglich concludes.