Peter Dhondt · Director of Global & Strategic Accounts · CERM · Xeikon Café 2022
LinkedIn Profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedhondt/
Steffen Haaga · Director of Global Business Development · CERM
At Labelexpo Guadalajara, CERM is present to showcase its growing commitment to the Latin American market, particularly Mexico. Steffen Haaga, representing the company, shares that this is his fourth visit to the country but the first time exhibiting at the show in Guadalajara. Previous visits revealed a vibrant and promising market, encouraging CERM to invest further and establish a stronger presence. Mexico has proven to be an exciting and significant region for the labels and packaging sector. With a large and growing population, increased demand for consumer goods, and a strong retail presence, the country offers substantial opportunities for companies like CERM. Some of the company’s largest and most impressive clients are based in Mexico, including Etiflex, a massive 500-employee printing facility in Mexico City, which stands out as one of the largest single-plant label operations. The conversation also touches on CERM’s recent acquisition of Swedish-based Omikai, a cloud-based MIS company. This strategic move is not just about expanding market reach but also about accelerating CERM’s technological development. Omikai’s advanced cloud architecture and highly capable team are expected to fast-track CERM’s cloud roadmap by several years. The synergy between the two companies is strong, both culturally and technically, making the integration a natural fit. Looking ahead, CERM sees significant potential in Mexico and across Spanish-speaking markets. With increased demand for automation and digital transformation in printing workflows, CERM is responding by building local capacity, including hiring support and implementation specialists in the region. The expectations for Labelexpo and beyond are high, driven by a belief in the region’s growth and a clear vision for supporting that growth with advanced solutions.
Esteban Garcia · Business Development Manager · CERM
Language Spanish - Subtitles Spanish/English At LabelExpo Mexico, Esteban García represented CERM as their Business Development Manager for the United States, Mexico, South America, and Latin America. With his deep understanding of the industry, García shared CERM’s focused vision and the value their specialized software brings to companies in the label and packaging sector. CERM, a Belgian company with over 30 years of experience, develops software tailored specifically for businesses in labeling, flexible packaging, and corrugated cardboard. García emphasized that CERM deliberately concentrates on this niche, believing that actual value lies in specialization. “This is what we do,” he noted, underscoring the importance of doing one thing exceptionally well rather than spreading resources too thin. During the event, García highlighted the challenges many companies in the sector face—particularly labor shortages and competition from larger, more modern operations. In response, CERM’s software is designed to streamline workflows, reduce unnecessary steps, and capture key production data accurately. This efficiency empowers companies to remain competitive without overhauling their equipment or expanding their workforce. One of the CERM system's most compelling features is its ability to deliver real-time quotes in minutes—a critical need in today’s fast-paced business environment. García explained how CERM eliminates redundant data entry across the production process, allowing information to flow seamlessly from quoting to invoicing, including inventory and warehouse management. The result is a fully integrated solution that supports operational excellence. CERM is making its debut at LabelExpo Mexico after attending the event as a visitor. Pleased with the experience, the team returned to showcase their platform to companies that may not have had the opportunity to attend LabelExpo in Brussels or Chicago. The goal is to introduce more Latin American businesses to CERM’s capabilities through live demos and direct interaction. When asked about the company’s performance in the Mexican market, García reported positive momentum, noting strong client relationships in Mexico and South America. He expressed enthusiasm about the future, sharing that CERM’s regional team has already tripled in size during his five-year tenure and continues to expand rapidly. Looking ahead to 2025, García remains optimistic. “We are growing fast and doing very well,” he said, reinforcing CERM’s commitment to innovation and industry collaboration. As the conversation concluded, García invited all attendees at LabelExpo Mexico to visit the CERM stand. “We’re excited to meet more people from the industry and build new partnerships,” he added. Interviewer: Nayelli González Menéndez · Revista El Impresor
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Mon November 3rd
Alejandro Celis - Director de ventas para div...
FUJIFILM posicionó su participación como estratégica, destacando que el PRINTING United de 2025 es “un evento clave para nuestra industria… estamos encantados de conectar con socios y clientes, compartir nuestra visión y mostrar cómo nuestras innovaciones … están diseñadas para resolver los retos reales que enfrentan”. Aunque aún no se han publicado cifras completas de ventas o contratos cerrados durante el evento, Alejandro Celis, Director de ventas para división de impresión Fuji México, comentó que la amplitud de la exhibición, la experiencia de realidad aumentada (permitiendo “ver por dentro” máquinas como la J PRESS 750HS y la J PRESS FP790) y la cobertura mediática sugieren una presencia muy robusta y bien valorada. Además, la combinación de tecnologías enfocadas en productividad, sustentabilidad (por ejemplo tintas AQUAFUZE con certificación medioambiental) y versatilidad de aplicaciones (commercial print, packaging, roll-fed wide-format) posiciona a FUJIFILM como un actor clave para los negocios de impresión que buscan crecer en un mercado cada vez más demandante.