Zambia’s most recognised name in books and stationery is opening a new chapter – this time in label printing
Bookworld Ltd., the country’s largest book and stationery group with 21 stores nationwide, has invested in a Nilpeter FB-Line PRO (17″) flexo press, marking the company’s first step into the label market.
Founded in 1991 on Cairo Road in Lusaka, Bookworld has grown into a household name across Zambia. The company already manufactures its own exercise and hardcover books locally, distributes for global publishers such as Oxford University Press, and is in a joint venture with Cambridge University Press on the new “Prosper” curriculum series. The decision to add a Nilpeter flexo line extends that vertically integrated, made-in-Zambia philosophy into an entirely new category – Labels.
“For more than three decades, Bookworld has been built on quality, trust and a belief in what can be made right here in Zambia. Stepping into the label market is a natural next step for us – and choosing Nilpeter was an easy decision. We wanted a partner with a proven platform, world-class engineering and the support to help us grow into this new business with confidence. The FB-Line PRO gives us exactly that.”
— Shivani Patel, Director, Bookworld Ltd.
A proven platform for a first-time label converter
For a first-time label converter, the FB-Line PRO is a confident choice. The FB-Line is the workhorse of the global flexo industry, with more than 1,000 installations worldwide, and the new PRO generation modernises that proven platform with an all-new dual-servo print head, gearless anilox cylinders, easy-load print cylinders with format rings, CleanInking chambers and Nilpeter’s B&R PowerLink automation. With a 435 mm print width, speeds up to 175 m/min, substrate handling from 12 to 350 microns and optional UV-LED curing, the FB-17 gives Bookworld the flexibility to grow from short-run labels into film and light-carton work as the business develops.
“We are proud to welcome Bookworld into the Nilpeter family. Bookworld is a benchmark business in Zambia, with a real culture of investing in quality and in their own people. The FB-Line PRO was designed precisely for converters who want a robust, future-proof platform that can start with labels today and scale into film and flexible packaging tomorrow. We look forward to supporting the Nayee family and their team every step of the way.”
— Thomas Andersen, Area Sales Manager, Nilpeter A/S
Secured together with CSM, Nilpeter’s long-standing partner in Southern Africa
The Bookworld order is the result of close teamwork between Nilpeter and CSM, Nilpeter’s long-standing representative in Southern Africa. For many years, CSM has been Nilpeter’s eyes, ears and hands across the region, providing local market knowledge, on-the-ground technical expertise and dedicated after-sales support to converters from Johannesburg to Lusaka.
CSM played a central role in shaping the Bookworld project from the very first conversation: helping Bookworld map the opportunity in the Zambian label market, advising on the right machine configuration for a first-time converter, and guiding the customer through specification and commercial discussions all the way to the signed order. Their deep understanding of both Bookworld’s ambitions and the region’s commercial realities was instrumental in tailoring an FB-Line PRO package that fits Bookworld’s growth plan, and underlines the value of Nilpeter’s long-term partner network in Africa. CSM will continue to play a key role as the press is built, shipped, installed, and commissioned in Zambia.
A trusted name in flexo, now in Zambia
Headquartered in Denmark and built on more than a century of printing heritage, Nilpeter is one of the most trusted names in the flexo press technology. The partnership with Bookworld extends Nilpeter’s footprint in Southern Africa and brings world-class label production capacity to the Zambian market – closer to brand owners, with shorter lead times and tighter quality control than imported labels can offer.
For Bookworld, it is more than a new machine. It is the start of a new business line, and another step in a 35-year journey of expanding what “made in Zambia” can mean.
About Bookworld Ltd.
Established in 1991, Bookworld Ltd. is Zambia’s biggest and most trusted book and stationery company, operating across retail, wholesale, corporate and publishing segments. With 21 stores nationwide and a local manufacturing arm, Bookworld serves customers in every major town and city in Zambia.
