In September 2025, Modern Flexible Packaging Limited (MFPL) strengthened its manufacturing capabilities through the acquisition of a 10-color BOBST NOVA RS 5003, a state-of-the-art rotogravure printing press designed for high-quality flexible packaging production. The investment marked the installation of MFPL’s first BOBST machine and represented a major milestone in the company’s growth strategy.
Selected for its advanced automation, exceptional print quality, high production speeds, and waste-reduction capabilities, the BOBST NOVA RS 5003 enables MFPL to increase production capacity, minimize downtime, improve operational efficiency, and deliver consistently superior packaging solutions. The press is engineered to handle a wide range of substrates, including films, laminates, and paper-based materials, supporting MFPL’s expansion into sustainable packaging and premium market segments.
As one of the first installations of its kind in East and Southern Africa, the investment reinforces MFPL’s position as a technology leader in the regional flexible packaging industry. The machine provides the platform for delivering world-class print quality, supporting innovation, and meeting the evolving requirements of both local and international brand owners.
For more than two decades, Modern Flexible Packaging Limited (MFPL) has been at the heart of East Africa’s packaging industry. Founded in 2002 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital, the company has grown from a converting operation into a full-service flexible packaging manufacturer trusted by some of the region’s most recognisable brands — among them Pepsi, Tanzania Breweries, Azam, Bonite Bottlers, Coca Cola, Tanzania Distilleries, Sika, TCC, Azania, Serengeti Breweries, and METL Group.
Today, with 195 employees and an annual conversion of 6,000 metric tonnes, MFPL stands as Tanzania’s leading flexible packaging manufacturer, supplying the food, beverage, personal care, agricultural, tobacco and pharmaceutical sectors across domestic and regional markets. Yet even for a company with MFPL’s track record, standing still was never an option.
A Market Demanding More
In recent years, CEO Farhaaz Haji has watched customer expectations shift considerably. Customers increasingly request shorter print runs with more SKU variations, tighter delivery deadlines, and improved barrier properties for extended shelf life. Sustainability, too, has moved up the agenda, with clients asking about recyclable and reduced-material packaging solutions.
At the same time, MFPL faces the practical realities of operating in a high-growth emerging market: managing the cost and availability of imported raw materials, navigating currency exchange fluctuations, and continuously upgrading technology to stay competitive. Meeting these challenges required more than incremental improvements — it called for a decisive investment in world-class technology.
Choosing BOBST
In September 2025, MFPL took that step, forming a partnership with BOBST and investing in the 10-color NOVA RS 5003 rotogravure printing press — a high-performance gravure press engineered specifically for flexible packaging applications. It was the company’s first BOBST machine and a strategic move into paper-based packaging, opening a new dimension of capability for the business.
The decision was deliberate and informed. The NOVA RS 5003 was selected for its exceptional print quality, high operating speed, and advanced automation that reduces job changeover times. BOBST’s strong after-sales service and technical support network in the region were also decisive factors. Beyond the machine’s technical specifications, MFPL was drawn to the broader value proposition: reduced waste, more predictable production scheduling, and a total cost of ownership that made sound commercial sense for a growing operation.
“BOBST machines offer superior build quality, advanced automation, and consistently high print registration accuracy. The global support network and BOBST’s deep expertise in flexible packaging technology give us confidence in our investment. For a growing operation like MFPL, it is the clear choice,” says Farhaaz Haji, Chief Executive Officer, Modern Flexible Packaging Limited.
Results That Speak for Themselves
The impact of the NOVA RS 5003 has been swift and measurable. Since installation, MFPL has recorded an estimated 25–35% increase in production capacity, driven by higher running speeds, faster job changeovers, and improved machine reliability. Setup and changeover waste has been reduced by around 15–20%, and downtime has fallen by nearly 10–15% — a direct result of the press’s advanced automation and machine stability.
Print consistency and quality control have also improved markedly, translating into fewer customer complaints and less rework. For a company competing on the strength of its output, these are not small wins.
“The machines have largely lived up to — and in several areas exceeded — our expectations. The automation features and user-friendly controls have helped operators work more efficiently and with greater confidence,” Farhaaz Haji continues.
Supporting People, Not Just Machines
Technology investment only delivers its full value when people are equipped to use it. MFPL purchased a comprehensive support package from BOBST that included operator training, machine commissioning assistance, preventive maintenance guidance, and on-site and remote technical support. BOBST specialists worked closely with MFPL’s production and maintenance teams during installation and through the initial production stages.
Most of the press operators were existing team members with prior rotogravure printing experience, which helped smooth the transition. With structured training and hands-on guidance, they quickly mastered machine setup, job changeovers, print control systems, and routine maintenance — building the confidence and capability needed to get the most from the new equipment.
BOBST
