Kamal Chopra: Knowledge for all at Pamex 2020

Q: How many exhibitors have been confirmed for Pamex 2020?
A: At the time of writing, we have more than 300 exhibitors on board. More importantly, we have already crossed the net area from Pamex 2017. 

Q: What equipment will have live demos? 
A: As you know, exhibitors keep their display plans close to their chest till closer to the event. Most of the exhibitors have increased their areas over the previous edition. Generally, this is a pointer for larger displays and live demos.

Q: Which technologies will Pamex serve?
A: As usual the maximum emphasis will be on the latest developments and products of tomorrow, taking in consideration the Indian situation and present market trends. Apart from the traditional offset and post press technologies, Pamex 2020 will showcase emerging technologies like: 3D, robotics, RFID printing; multiwave LED technology, which can cure conventional and LED UV inks making UV printing more green and convenient to adopt; industrial design and packaging design softwares; inkjet B2 presses; packaging post-press equipment in rigid box making and paper bags.

Q: Who are the big names at the show?
A: All leading names in the industry are exhibiting in the exhibition. These include International bigwigs including Xerox, Canon, Riso, Konica Minolta, Stoosa, Bobst, Hubergroup India, Komori, Baumer and Valco Melton India besides a large contingent of Chinese and Taiwanese companies. Most of the Idnian players will be seen rubbing shoulders with the global players. These include: Indo-Polygraph, Line O Matic, Autoprint, TechNova, Sangeeta Poly Pack, Chemline, Monotech Systems, Grafica Flextronica. Zenith Rubber, Malhotra Graphics, PS Graphics, Nippon Color, Welbound, Pratham, Suba Solutions and Vinsak etc.

Q: What’s the USP of the show?
A: Pamex is an international show organised of the printers, by the printers and for the Printers. Pamex also sees the largest participation of international exhibitors in India. Moreover, AIFMP is hosting the board meeting of World Print & Communication Forum (WPCF) and international conference on future printing concurrently with the show. We are also hosting the National Awards for Excellence in Printing (NAEP) and for the very first time, Viren Chabbra Print Leadership Award (VCPLA) alongside this mega show. 

Q: What’s the theme of the show?
A: The theme of the show is the same as the last edition: Future is Now.

Q: What is the meaning of Future is Now?
A: It is a clarion call to the printer to adopt the latest technologies, techniques and practices in order to increase efficiencies, provide more value to customers and to thrive in today's competitive environment.

Q: Is there a special Pamex Day for print buyers and designers and brand managers? 
A: There is no special Pamex Day. But 8 January 2020 is going to be the prime attraction because the WPCF international conference, the NAEP award ceremony and presentation of VPCLA are going to happen on this day. 

Q: Where are you travelling next to promote the Pamex show?
A: For this edition, we thought of digressing from the age old concept of organising roadshows. We wanted to reach the printers at the grassroots. Hence we came up with Print Odyssey. We have already toured Kerala and Nepal as part of the Odyssey. Further plans are being made to visit Andhra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu & Karnataka in November. Specific plans for Maharashtra and Gujarat are in the works. 

Q: What about international destinations?
A: Internationally, we are touring Nepal. We are hosting a roadshow in collaboration with Federation of Nepal Printers Association (FNPA). We will be going to Sri Lanka on 22nd November. We have already held an event in Bangladesh.

Q: What happened in these countries?
A: As chairman of Pamex, I gave a presentation and spoke about what the printers from Bangladesh could expect at Pamex from 6-9 January. Mr Islam, the general secretary of Printing Industries Association of Bangladesh promised more than 40 printers would be attending the show in Mumbai.

Q: What’s been your proudest achievement during the Pamex roadshows?
A: During the roadshows, we have had the opportunity to speak to many printers across the Indian subcontinent. The problems being faced by printers in India are very similar to the ones faced by printers across the world.  The chance to address the issues of SME printers and provide practical solutions has been one of our greatest achievements. 

Q: What’s your team’s favourite compliment during the Pamex outreach programs?
A: Our neighbours look towards India as a big brother when it comes to printing.  They import Indian made machines and raw materials. The success of Indian printing industry around the subcontinent is one of the biggest compliments we could get.

Q: Which markets will grow in 2020? 
A: We hope that besides the digital printing and packaging, rigid packaging may grow in the coming times. 

Q: Where do you see Pamex in five years’ time?
A: We hope to make Pamex a truly international exhibition. 

Q: One final question, Mr Chopra: what are your expectations from Pamex 2020?
A: Pamex is one of the major knowledge centre for the people-in-print. Since printing is changing at a rapid speed, we wish to spread knowledge about the latest technologies and methods to ensure the Indian printing industry at par with the world. We expect Pamex 2020 to be record breaking in terms of unique visitors.