New alliance to launch SMI range of digital minilabs in MEA region
Dubai: Jacky's Gulf FZE, the trading and export arm of retail leader Jacky's, has entered into an alliance with Italy-based SMI group, for the distribution of the Italian firm's range of digital minilabs within the Middle East and Africa region.
With the digital revolution in photography not having reached its maximum potential in major areas of the MEA region, the SMI Group's partnership with Jacky's Gulf enables both companies to introduce digital technology to new territories, while expanding their market presence in the region. Jacky's is the sole distributor of the SMI digital minilab range in the MEA region.
The relationship between the SMI Group and Jacky's Gulf allows the companies to assist minilab owners in the region who are changing their technology from analogue to digital. Jacky's distribution strategy in the MEA region involves the formation of close alliances with local distributors while providing technical training, sales support and spare parts from the UAE.
SMI's range of digital minilabs includes the Master 5 and the Master Plus, which are fully integrated, compact, five-in-one digital minilabs. Both the Master 5 and the Master Plus include a film processor, film scanner, paper processor and workstation. The multi-functional Master 5 and Master Plus are user friendly and can function to meet a variety of individual customer needs.
The fully integrated nature of the Master 5 and Master Plus makes SMI's digital minilabs space efficient, which translates into lower rental costs and overheads for the owner. The SMI range of digital minilabs also have the advantage of being energy efficient, and are equipped with a backup battery to ensure that the film in the minilab remains protected in the event of a power failure.
"SMI's range of digital minilabs offer complete and cost effective digital solutions. Jacky's is looking forward to being part of a digital expansion across the MEA region. We are constantly seeking to diversify and grow as a company and our alliances with international partners allow us to progress towards this goal," said Ashish Panjabi, Chief Operating Officer, Jacky's Gulf FZE.
"As a provider of digital solutions, the SMI Group feels that this is the opportune time to be expanding into the MEA market. Through our partnership with Jacky's we hope to venture into new territories and work towards our vision of building the SMI Group into a truly global corporation," said Paolo Pizzocaro, Chief Operating Officer, SMI Group.
Jacky's and the SMI Group hosted an open house on September 7 and 8, 2004 at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Dubai to launch and demonstrate SMI's range of digital minilabs. The open house to launch SMI's range of digital minilabs comes ahead of SMI's participation in Photokina, one of the world's largest photographic exhibitions, which is to take place in Cologne, Germany, at the end of the month.
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Note to editors
Jacky's Gulf FZE is part of the Jacky's Group of Companies, which is involved primarily in retail, mail order, distribution and e-commerce sales. The Group has direct operations in the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and agents across the world.
The Group was established in 1970 in Hong Kong as a mail order business targeted towards the tax and duty-free community. Today, the company still serves this customer base from their mail order distribution bases in Hong Kong and Dubai. The customer base spans over 130 countries and includes diplomats and embassies, UN officials and organisations, non-government organisations and some of the finest duty-free outlets in the world.
Jacky's Gulf FZE is a leader in the retail and wholesale sales of electronics, digital printing equipment, commodities, home appliances, IT equipment and office automation products in Dubai and other parts of the world. The company has locations in the UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The current customer base is spread out over 130 countries and still growing.
SMI Group has over 50 years of experience in the imaging industry. It combines the renowned expertise of the former Gretag Imaging Retail Division in digital products and image science with the sound tradition of San Marco Imaging in minilab production. The SMI Group's divisions range from R&D to manufacturing, marketing and distribution, servicing and spare parts supply.
SMI's advanced knowledge of digital technology has led to the development of innovations such as d!pep and proprietary LCD technology, which allows for digital image enhancement - specially developed for digital files. SMI Group offers digital minilabs, printers and software solutions to guarantee productivity, quality and reliability worldwide.
This press release has been issued on behalf of Jacky's by Concept PR.
For further information please contact:
Synora Van Drine
T: +9714 3903946/7
F: +9714 3904750
E-mail: press@cpr.ae
Press Release 2004
