In India, magazines are still compelling, though conventional wisdom would say that digital medium is ‘in’, paper is ‘passe’.
New magazine continued to be launched in 2011, with Conde Naste launching Traveller. Fortune launched too was launched. This year too there were a few launches.
The digital media is competing for readers’ attention, but the new launches in the print domain certainly seem to suggest that their passion for print still remains. The
Aegean Offset Printers
Commercial printing services in Greater Noida for magazines and journals. The company is equipped with three multi-colour offset presses, CTP and post-press facility. One of the India stalls at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2010 – which had a proper game-plan to tap the export market. It’s a company which is committed to corporate social responsibilities.
Cirrus Graphics
Today, Cirrus is a prominent company though it began as a pre-press house. The company has two print technologists at the helm and a team of 120. Cirrus has 18,000 sq/ft unit in Naraina in Delhi and 55,000 sq/ft paper conversion facility at Manesar and Noida. Being an approved vendor for BILT and JK Paper, gives them a competitive edge.
Delhi Press
Established in 1938, Delhi Press reaches out to 50 million readers nationwide with 31 magazines published in nine languages. Five print locations in Delhi. 20 printing presses. 20 machines in bindery. Printing four million magazines every month. Paresh Nath (picture) was instrumental in forming the Association of Indian Magazines, which provided teeth to magazine publishers. Pramod Engineering manufactures post-press equipment, which now has over 150 installations in 10 countries. Masscomedia, a new media company with education interface was started by Divesh Nath, (head of the 3rd generation) who also now heads the post-press manufacturer, Pramod Engineering Works.
Indigo Press
The company prints 13 magazines in its portfolio, had three multi-colour offset presses. It has printed The 1000 which has been part of the PrintWeek India publication portfolio. The firm has delegated day-to-day operations to the team on the shopfloor.
M P Printers
A part of the Dainik Bhaskar Group. Perhaps the biggest heatset specialist printer in North India with multi-location facilities. Full-throttled expansion included installation of a Komori System 35. Printing more than 50 magazines, which includes some of the leading national titles. M P Printers, known as Writers & Publishers, is owned by Sudhir Agarwal, managing director of the Dainik Bhaskar Group.
One of the leaders in consumer magazines with publications like Stardust, Savvy, Society, Health & Nutrition, Showtime, Society Interiors, Savvy Cookbook and Citadel.
With print power of three printing units that print the above titles and more, Magna is re-inventing its brand with the Magna Book Gallery and Magna Nutrition Centre. Nari Hira, the chief managing director, pioneered the video films genre in the 1980s by producing around 15 video films under his banner, Hiba Films.
Print House
One of the biggest expansions in Western India – with their three lakh sq/ft unit in Navi Mumbai. While shifting base from Bhandup to Navi Mumbai, the company added a Komori heatset, Heidelberg with coater and Bobst to their fleet. The Hendre brothers, who own the company, have an ace up their sleeve, and are trying to occupy the vaccum caused by the withdrawal of Thomson. The Hendres also own a chain of hotels, Saffron Spice in and around Mumbai.
Rakesh Press
Rakesh Press has been a representative of Indian print industry for the past five and a half decades providing services right from conceptualisation to design, printing, finishing and delivery, all under one roof. The company has expanded horizons with a sales office in London and a stall at the London and Cape Town Book Fair.
Established in January, 1950, founder Ramnath Bagai named the company after his son, Rakesh, who graduated from Delhi College of Engineering and joined his father in 1971.
In 2003, Rave Scan was the first printer in South Asia to install a Heidelberg’s Speedmaster XL 105. Today, this Delhi-based printer is a single-point for commercial printing, books, packaging and finishing expanding its operation in a 40,000 sq/ft plant in Gurgaon. The company is a showroom of automated Heidelbergs – the fifth and sixth press were purchased at the Ipex 2010 trade show in Birmingham. Rave’s in-house newsletter Rave News –is a tangible commitment to its print buyers. The managing director, Rakesh Bhatnagar is stylishly understated and enjoys a long drive in his Mercedes.
The original Reddiar family migrated to Kerala 125 years ago and set up the press which prints magazines, textbooks, bibles and religious books. Added a violet CTP, two Komoris, a Muller Martini saddle-stitcher, a perfect binder, and a high-end colour management solution. The original Reddiar family had an avid interest in textiles – in addition to publishing. R Suresh, the CEO was the president of All India Federation of Master Printers – and now chairman of the International Committee. He is the joie de vivre of any party, especially when he belts out a popular Malayalam song.
Silverpoint press
Silverpoing Press bagged two PrintWeek India Awards in 2012. In addition to the two in 2011, four in 2010 and one in 2009. Also master of innovations; and have printed the cover for The 1000, as service to our industry. A combination of CTP, press and post-press plus tactical partners, boost their print advantage. The Silverpoint brochure and calendar showcase their print muscles; and deploy “fragrance and feel” which goes beyond the usual print applications. The senior Muchalas love “black”. Besides having air-freighted strawberries from Wimbledon for key customers.
Spenta Multimedia
The winner of PrintWeek India Consumer Magazine of the Year, Spenta Multimedia is a leading publishing house with a portfolio of customised publications and a stable of more than 40 magazines. The company aims to top a print run of over 8,00,000 copies and a readership of four million per month! This includes Jet Airways in-flight magazine.The Davars are tireless. Maneck (in the picture) oversees the publishing and strategies. He is readying a new production unit in Ambernath. A chic office is adorned with a dazzling array of contemporary Indian art.
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