Zonten, a Chinese press manufacturer, is setting its sights on East Africa through its distributor network, with plans to establish a local presence in Kenya by 2026. This move aims to tap into the growing demand for affordable, quality printing machinery across the region, including Tanzania and Uganda. S Kumar, an India-based distributor of Zonten presses and converting machines, sees East Africa as a virgin market, ripe for opportunity.
Manish Hansoti, Managing Director of S Kumar, emphasized that the region’s geographical proximity and well-connected air routes offer strategic advantages for providing timely service and support. He noted, “There are several flights from Ahmedabad and Mumbai to the Middle East and Africa within a span of eight to 10 hours, which allows us to provide timely service and support.”
East Africa has become a key focus for Zonten, with installations already taking place in several countries in the region. “This is a virgin market, there’s not much presence of machine suppliers yet,” Hansoti explained. “The neighboring countries are getting saturated, so we’re looking to set up something new in this region.” With an eye on the food, healthcare, beverage, lubricant oil, and pharmaceutical markets, which are all experiencing significant growth, Zonten is keen on supporting local converters in these expanding sectors.
Zonten’s product portfolio includes a wide range of printing presses, from small slitting and converting equipment to high-end flexo and offset presses. The company’s offerings are designed to meet the needs of price-sensitive markets like Africa. One of the key highlights at the Labelexpo Europe 2025 was the ZTR-FL series 370/430/560 size modular flexo press, which runs at speeds of 160m/min and can print on substrates like paper, film, shrink sleeve, IML, and 300gsm board.
The company also unveiled the ZTJ Series intermittent offset press, known for its high-resolution output and precise color control, perfect for short to mid-run label production. The press has already seen successful installations in India and is now being promoted across Africa. Additionally, Zonten debuted the ZTD-350 hybrid digital-flexo press with Epson printheads, which combines digital printing with flexo enhancements for faster job changeovers and variable data.
A key aspect of Zonten’s strategy in East Africa involves building strong relationships with local converters. S Kumar plans to appoint a local marketing and engineering representative to ensure timely service and technical support. “You cannot provide the required support without a local presence,” Hansoti said. Initially, the company will have a resident engineer handling both technical and marketing functions, ensuring that local converters can rely on immediate support.
This move represents a long-term commitment to East Africa’s printing ecosystem. Zonten is keen on providing scalable technology that aligns with the region’s growth. While many customers may initially opt for more affordable models, Hansoti believes that as the market evolves, their technology offerings will grow in tandem. “We see strong potential in this region,” he concluded. “Our goal is to grow together with our customers and support the development of a more self-sufficient printing ecosystem in East Africa.”
