Delhi Diary from PrintWeek India

PrintWeek India met J Mahabeer’s DK Mathur - an industry veteran. He remembers (and stores) the faces of most of the people he meets. But the database in his brain cannot recall names. That is clearly not his forte. What many won’t know is that he was a state-level tennis player. He shows us a brochure. J Mahabeer is supporting the web-offset seminar at PrintPack.

Mathur informs, the company sold its third machine to Punjab Kesari, which is being installed "even as we speak". This, is the same machine, which they were planning to demonstrate at its 80 sq/m stall at PrintPack. “Now we need a 'plan b' for PrintPack,” chuckles Mathur.

This is the type of pre-show jitters across offices in India. last minute branding, flight bookings (and cancellations) and inviting customers to the show.

One manufacturer, PrintWeek India met felt Pragati Maidan was a better venue for the show. With the show in Greater Noida, it adds to the cost of travel of the team, the stay; plus the connectivity.

Even the argument of a gentrified audience at Noida is brushed off with the comment: “Aam janta at Pragati picks only literature? So what’s the big deal?”

Interestingly, during one of our confabulations, a general manager across the embellished teak table received a call from his branch manager in Chennai. A cash transaction to purchase a machine. The manager was instructed to instruct the customer to approach RBI.

Kab Hoga Bharat, Swach?

Watch this space for more ...

A School of Finishing

Our next halt was Joy D-Zign. We met 70-year old NS Manku, who besides being immaculate and dapper is most enthused about the ‘School of Finishing’.

Joy has an installed base of 3000. It is pretty good. When you consider, Joy manufactures 300 machines a year. Manku says, we developed machines which are compact so that when not in use, the machine can be moved to a corner and the space can be utilised for some other purpose. It’s very important considering the small-sized galas in which these firms operate.

Joy’s turnover is less than Rs 10-crore and most of the sales is supported by word of mouth and reputation. It employs 80 people and has a sales office in Mumbai. A quick tour of the 35,000 sq/m three-storey building indicated 2015 will be in a robust shape. The manufacturing is in full swing. Ground floor is dedicated to core manufacturing, while the final touches in painting and finishing are being rendered on the top floor.

Manku feels that having PrintPack and Pamex in one and the same year puts pressure on the manufacturers. “This means we get one year to generate ROI from two shows. Also, the industry needs to take into account if there are any new launches from the manufacturers to showcase at the show.”

Manku shares his dream of digital finishing. But more about that later.

Watch this space for more ...

Specialised finishing is the future

The next stop was Memory Repro whose factory is hundred metres to the left of Joy. The managing director, Bal Krishna is ready for the show in February. According to him, printing is dying. “Packaging and specialised finishing is the future,” says Bal Krishna.

At PrintPack, Memory Repro will showcase box making machine and a special purpose seal inspection machine, which is being customised according to client demands. One of the customers manufactures 40l caps, they require 200-250 people to check for a defect or malfunction. When they put into service four of our machines, only two operators will be needed per machine.

When PrintWeek was at the factory, a machine was being packed. We were informed, "an export order to Canada."

Bal Krishna says, the USP of Memory is, it offers money-back guarantee. “We are blessed with loyal customers like Manugraph and TPH. We are readying a machine to be sent to Malayala Manorama,” says Bal Krishna.

The forty three year old company, is gung ho about a motor that will work without electricity.

Watch this space for more ...

Global expansion drive

The last stop was Cosmos Films. The update is: Satish Subramanian has joined as global head for sales and marketing. Cosmo will not be present at Labelexpo Brussels. But they have a presence at Indiaplast.

During his previous stints, Subramaniam has served both B2B and B2C industries in his role as national, regional and global head, at multinationals like Avery Dennison, Coats Plc. and Berger Paints. Over the last 20 years, he has gathered experience in specifics like multi-channel sales, enterprise sales, global account management, business development and customer service.

According to Pankaj Poddar, CEO, Cosmo Films, this is the most opportune time for Subramaniam’s appointment.

“Cosmo is on a global expansion drive, intended at deeper penetration into lamination, labels and specialty packaging films, said Poddar. “With his experience in sales and marketing domains and his association with the brands, Subramaniam will be instrumental in taking the company closer to customer as well as end-users.”

Watch this space for more ...