The AFTA Excellence Awards went for its 11th run on 22 November 2012. While the usual suspects bagged the usual accolades, one actually did the same for the fifth consecutive year. Christel Lee from PrintPackPublish Asia reports.
At Singapore's Resorts World Sentosa, some 300 guests from the flexographic industry in Asia congregated to witness not only the reinforcement of already-astounding standards in packaging, but also acknowledge new contenders who just might join the ranks of the elite in the game.
Alf Carrigan, Chairman of the Independent Judging Committee, shared in his opening speech: "There are significant improvements in the print qualities of entries this year. The judges heartened to see contenders taking more pride in their work; the time and effort spent to assess and place entries are nothing less than worthwhile."
Thailand and India dominated the ring with nine and seven wins respectively. India's tightest contenders – Wintek Flexo Prints and Letra Graphix Pvt Ltd – have been vying for the top prizes for years. This time Wintek handed the Best in Show trophy to Letra Graphix.
One Indonesian company, PT Bentoel Prima, went on stage for a record five times, scooping five wins out of six – the last going to PT. Industri Pembungkus Internasional. Sri Lanka had two winners this year – Packages Lanka and Flexiprint. The latter is the second winner from the country to bag an award in the competition.
China's Tetra Pak took (for the fifth time) Gold, Silver and Bronze in the Beverage Cartons and Cup category. Paul Callaghan, Chairman of the AFTA Excellence Awards Committee, commented: "Such results reflect their commitment to print excellence and I am happy for them."
Callaghan also took the chance to announce his impending retirement from chairing the Committee – declaring 2013 will be his last year in the game. The annual two-day Asian Flexo Conference will resume in 2013, to be held in Manila, Philippines.
