FPPE 2014 gets thumbs-up from Kenya president

ORGANISERS of the Food Processing & Packaging Exposyum (FPPE) were acknowledged for their work by Kenya president Uhuru Kenyatta who called the event concept as suitable for bringing much-needed technologies to the country.

The exhibition cum symposium (Exposyum) put together by StarlingExpo in cooperation with Messe Düsseldorf attracted more than 1,000 participants during its second edition held from 18-20 November at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) in Nairobi/Kenya.

FPPE is attended by machinery, equipment and process suppliers as well as food producers and processors representing the complete process chain from the initial process steps such as filling and packaging to logistics. It helps SMEs make targeted contacts for building distribution and service networks in Eastern Africa.

“The special format of the Exposyum takes exhibitors by the hand and is ideally suited to a market like East Africa because, in particular, it offers exhibiting companies not yet active locally the valuable information they need for successful market entry combined with uncomplicated participation,” said Urs Albert Ingold, CEO at StarlingExpo Ltd. and founder of this format.

Complete overview of the industry

At the event, efficient food processing and packaging and concern over food losses were the major topics in a 360° market overview provided by local experts and international exhibitors. For a clear picture of doing business in Kenya and the region, companies in the sector presented demand-driven solutions; government institutions discussed the political framework and possible support for suppliers to local producers while the latter in turn outlined their requirements. For its part, the FAO hosted a day of conference on food losses, based on case studies in different countries and industries. About 40 speakers were expected at these engagements.

“By holding the Processing & Packaging Exposyum we are bringing the supply of, and demand for, demand-driven packaging  and  process  technology  together locally,” said Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, CEO & president of Messe Düsseldorf. “In this way we create a “Basis for Business” for our customers in  keeping with our mission while making a key contribution to fighting food losses as part of the save food initiative – which is a pressing problem, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.” 

Mr Ingold, added, “This year we have again succeeded in compiling an especially accomplished  mixture of talks from high-calibre  speakers  for  the Exposyum.  Due to the  all-round  information conveyed, as well  the contacts with key figures in the industry and from the political sphere, this unique concept makes it especially easy for potential suppliers to local food producers to get a foot in the door of a very promising future market.”  

Urs Albert Ingold, CEO of StarlingExpo AG

Testimonials from exhibitors

“When we took part for the first time in 2013 we were able to make many new contacts,” said Jean-Claude Nduwimanai, a sales manager at Miele, Italy.  “Three of them have now visited us at  the trade fair in order to place specific orders with us. We had not expected this. FPPE 2014 proved very successful for us.”

Martina Claus of the Market  Development  Africa at VDMA’s Food  Machinery and Packaging  Machinery Association said, “The concept of the event has convinced us entirely and the participants of our joint stand have managed to establish important new contacts. We look forward to coming back next year.”

Amongst those that found the event fruitful were Dr Michael Wawire of the Jomo-Kenyatta  University  for Agriculture and Technology, who is commissioned to deal with packaging issues in the  industry.  He particularly noted products from German company, Mall + Herlan. “The bottles and aluminium flasks are an innovation I have never seen before and they open up completely new dimensions to the suppliers of consumer goods while making for a high degree of flexibility,” he said.

More exhibitors this year

From 21 exhibitors in the premier show, the second FPPE was attended by 65 companies and organisations.  The exhibiting organisations also included the VDMA featuring a joint stand housing seven participants. Furthermore, the Save Food initiative promoted by the partners FAO, UNEP and Messe Düsseldorf was represented with a stand involving 14 enterprises and associations. Some 40 talks were presented at this event.

FPPE is also promoted through the East African Business Community (EABC). Member countries besides Kenya are Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Currently, EABC has 54 Associations and 102 corporate Members and its structure includes National Focal Points (NFPs) – who are all currently the national private sector apex bodies.

The  next  Food  Processing  &  Packaging  Exposyum  will  be  held  in Nairobi/Kenya from 3 – 5 November 2015.