Propak Africa highlights cutting-edge innovations
PROPAK AFRICA in March was a success, with numbers up and close again to pre-COVID levels, but more importantly, there was a buzz in the halls with exhibitors putting on a fine showing virtually without exception.
Over 12,500 visitors attended the event at the Expo Centre in Johannesburg from 11-14 March, a 28% increase from the 2022 edition of the event when 9,750 visitors attended. 2022 was however negatively affected by the Covid restrictions and was down on the 2019 attendance figure of 11,792. The 2022 show was also subjected to load shedding when all the halls were plunged into near darkness on more than one occasion and virtually all the machines stopped running. That may also have dissuaded other guests from arriving over the last few days of the event.
This year’s showing also represents a recovery from the Covid setback as the attendance figure is again approaching the 2013 level when the attendance record of 13,010 was set for the event. That declined to 11,682 in 2016, which could not have encouraged the exhibitors or organisers.
Propak Africa brought together more than 500 local and international exhibitors, presenting thousands of cutting-edge products, technologies and services across the packaging, plastics, printing, food processing, and labelling sectors. Over four dynamic days, the event served as a powerful platform for innovation, industry connection, and commercial opportunity, drawing strong engagement from professionals across the value chain.
The design, presentation and interaction offered by exhibitors and staff on the stands were world-class, which is not a surprise since many of the companies have gained experience at international exhibitions, but it is still required that exhibiting businesses invest in stand design and construction, costs which are invariably considerable.
The exhibitors in the Proplas hall, specifically near the entrance, including Brenntag, Safrique, Erema Userve, Plastics & Chemical Trading, Hestico and others put on fine, interactive displays with running machines that were welcoming to visitors.
‘Really positive vibe’
The show director, Gary Corin, managing director of Specialised Exhibitions, described the event as having “a really positive vibe” and that the trade that took place was exceptional.
“We’ve had a high number of good quality visitors, and our numbers are up from three years ago – substantially so. It’s encouraging, not just for the show, but also for the economy and for the industries the show represents.”
As organisers, Specialised Exhibitions recognises the significant investment exhibitors bring to the show floor—not only in state-of-the-art machinery and product displays but also in the presence and time of their senior executives actively engaging with visitors, he added.
“It’s impressive to see the industry coming together and the investment made,” said portfolio director Mark Anderson. “The entire spectrum of the packaging sector is represented at Propak Africa, including packaging, plastics, processing, labelling and printing for packaging, so it truly brings the full supply chain under one roof for four days.”
“Exhibitors have been selling machinery from their exhibition stands – we’ve seen several SOLD signs on the big machinery displayed at Propak Africa,” added Anderson. “The show has surpassed expectations. Our onsite rebooking programme for the next Propak Africa in 2028 has already secured just under 70% of the exhibitors. This is a really good testament to the excellent show that our exhibitors have had at this year’s Propak Africa.”
According to exhibitors, machines sold at the show are invariably sold before the event, which enables the suppliers to avoid the cost of transporting the units back to the warehouse and instead go straight to the customer from the show. But the ‘SOLD TO’ signs on the machines may just have garnered additional marketing for the buyers mentioned, perhaps just in terms of street cred, which is often vital for a business’s reputation.
Exhibitors respond positively
Among the exhibitors, Filmatic Packaging Systems has been exhibiting at Propak Africa for 40 years, with the primary objective being to display their latest machines. The company’s managing director, Riaan van Zyl, said the 2025 edition was the best Propak they have participated in with excellent visitor quality and numbers.
Regulars to Propak Africa, Ulma Packaging’s managing director, Eddie Rademan said the quality of the visitors this year impressed him. “We do not come to sell from the stand but to meet our existing customers, make new contacts and network and that has worked well for us. We will be back for the next Propak.”
Polyoak Packaging is another long-term exhibitor at Propak with Michelle Penlington, national executive: marketing, explaining that they exhibit to show support for the industry and to collaborate up and down the value chain. “What we also love about Propak is that it allows the company to spoil its customers not only on our stand but with some of the services Specialised Exhibitions offers such as VIP parking and the hospitality lounge.”
Polyoak also cultivates new potential customers at the show. “We have seen many SMEs this show and we have products and services to assist them to grow from little fish to big fish!” said Michelle.
Konica Minolta’s product manager Edmund Jacobs described Propak Africa 2025 as being phenomenal. “This Propak Africa has been by far the best show for us based on the quality of the visitors this year – I’m talking about 65% positive feedback and a list of clients that we will be following up after the show. We will do this again.”
Propak Africa first-timers Techplas Services came to the show to get more exposure. Techplas director Jason Smith said they were very impressed with the visitor turnout for the show. “We secured good leads and using Specialised’s scanning system makes the collecting of leads so easy. We also sold products off the stand which is a good bonus to our show success. We will be at the next Propak Africa in 2028.”
Show within show
Adding significant value to the overall event experience, over 60 expert speakers delivered compelling, informative sessions at the two seminar theatres and at the Institute of Packaging SA’s half-day seminars, which took place in the Proplas hall.
Teamwork and planning ensure success
“It’s an entire team that plays its part in putting a show like this together,” added Anderson. “We have a strong core team of sales, marketing, operations and accounts and have a fabulous partnership and network with suppliers and contractors that provide logistical and other support services. This ensures that every exhibitor and every visitor can enjoy a positive experience at the show.”
“We look forward to hosting our exhibitors and visitors again at the next Propak Africa from 7-10 March 2028 at the Expo Centre in Johannesburg. There is also a big demand for packaging in the Western Cape, so we run Propak Cape around 18 months after each Propak Africa, both rotating on a 3-year cycle. We’re looking forward to seeing many of our exhibitors and a lot of our visitors down in the Western Cape in October 2026,” added Anderson.