Star Labels Africa, based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has steadily developed a local production base since its incorporation in 2017. In a country historically reliant on imported packaging materials, the company has positioned itself as a key domestic supplier by investing in infrastructure and technology to meet local demand.
According to director Nirav Thakkar, the company was established to reduce the DRC’s dependence on imported packaging and provide faster turnaround times with consistent quality. The product range includes self-adhesive labels, shrink sleeves, wrap-around labels, laminates, pouches, bread bags, thermal rolls, PVC and poly films. Star Labels serves a broad spectrum of industries, including fast-moving consumer goods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and retail.
A significant part of its strategy has been investment in machinery from global manufacturers. Equipment on-site includes a W&H Miraflex CI press, a W&H Optimex extruder, and a Nordmeccanica lamination line for flexible packaging. For label production, the company operates a suite of Lombardi narrow-web printing and converting machines.
The company also adopted an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution – Flexibiz ERP, developed by India-based Kiran Consultants – to streamline its expanding operations. The implementation, completed over three months, integrated core functions such as finance, inventory, procurement, and production. CFO Kabir Adatia notes that the move provided better data visibility and reduced manual errors.
Post-implementation, Star Labels reported improvements in workflow, decision-making, and accountability. Features such as real-time dashboards, inventory alerts, and system-driven approvals were cited as key benefits.
Management advises packaging firms to consider ERP adoption when operational complexity increases and manual systems become unsustainable. They highlight internal preparedness, process standardisation, and minimising early-stage customisation as critical for successful implementation.
Star Labels is preparing for further growth, including plans to expand into mono carton packaging, in anticipation of a packaging market projected to grow 20% annually in the region.