Five print leaders share crisis management tips

Akshat Jain, CEO, Omega Printopack

Companies should switch from plastic packaging to box-like packaging using innovative developments

A favourite webinar that you attended in the lockdown?

My favourite webinar was BCI’s Rahul Jain’s ‘Corona – the new way of business.’ I am an alumnus of Business Coaching India (BCI) and this webinar really helped me and our team to make new strategies regarding cash flow, salaries, retaining old clients in this crisis and the complete action plan for the post-Covid world.

One maintenance tip you are following.

AMCs of machines are must. At Omega Printopack, 15 minutes are locked for regular cleaning of machines at the end of each shift. On Sundays, half-a-day is completely dedicated to scheduled greasing and oiling of all the machine parts. Well-maintained machines save a lot of fortune by providing consistent quality and infrequent breakdowns.

Your advice during lockdown to your team.

During this pandemic, the best advice is to eat healthy, exercise every day, maintain immunity and most important of all – wash hands at regular intervals. Total 60% of our staff come to office, so we are maintaining adequate social distancing and safety measures to keep them safe.

Your healthcare mantra for Covid-19.

I am an avid follower of naturopathy, so I follow a raw diet before lunch, which includes a plate of seasonal fruits in the morning and seasonal vegetables for brunch, which contributes to my 16-hour fasting period. Avoiding outside food is necessary during this time and I believe immunity comes from what we eat. I also practice yoga and calisthenics, which keeps my body fit and mobile.

One skill you have acquired during the lockdown?

There is not something particular I acquired but yes it’s always useful to have a regime of activities to keep one self-engaged. I finished a lot of my pending novels, training videos on sales and marketing, self-improvement books, and also finished reading the biography of Qimat Rai Gupta, CMD, Havells India, which was pending in my to-read list from ages. Like Benjamin Franklin said, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”

One print technology, which could be revolutionary in the post-Covid world.

Well, I don’t have enough experience to answer this question but I think 3D printing can be revolutionary but since the technology is prohibitively expensive currently, maybe in the future I would love to see companies using it for doing quick short-runs and product developments. 

One packaging innovation that could be the new normal.

I think if all the companies start switching from plastic packaging to box-like packaging for waste reduction and sustainability using innovative developments, then we can save and conserve our environment. The role of plastic will be eliminated. P&G switched from bottles to boxes for its Tide detergent brand and the result was the Tide Eco-Box, which had around 60% less plastic and 30% less water than its bottle-based counterpart.

One lesson from the Pandemic for the industry.

The one loss I observed was the build up of finished goods and pending payments of non-essential category clients, which resulted in disruption of cash flow and loss of sales. Our corrugation plant, which has 80% clients under non-essential category is suffering deeply.

One tip on man-management.

Since we were allowed to work at 60-65% capacity during lockdown, we are following all safety measures suggested by WHO to keep our workforce safe. These include hand sanitising and temperature checks at gate, regular sanitisation of plant, social distancing at workstations, mandatory masks for all employees, two-hour gap between shifts and others. We have maintained a daily health record of all employees to keep track in case any change in trend happens. Some of the manpower that commutes daily from neighbouring districts are staying in the plant with food and other necessary facilities being provided.

Post-lockdown, will you purchase Chinese products, for example, raw material and machines?

Our raw material procurement is totally domestic and we don’t have any plans to purchase from China as of now. Regarding machines, we all know that China is a big manufacturer of quality corrugation machinery and we already have them from Paktek, Hoisheng and DGM. So purchases will be regular in future for our corrugation segment.

One assistance you seek on behalf of the industry from the government.

Although our industry is in essential items category, we are facing a lot of problems in procuring consumable raw materials such as varnish blankets, die-cutting tools, emboss blocks, which is badly affecting timely deliveries to the pharma clients. If only the movement of cargo carrying these types of items were allowed between states, things would have been much easier.

One headline you want to see by the end of 2020.

The headline everyone wants to see is this: “Coronavirus is now contained and life returns back to normal.” And, on a comical note, “Drupa 2021 is safe to attend.”

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Nikhil Warrier, executive director, Saptagiri Packaging

One of the biggest challenge post-Covid-19 would be availability of labour, digital technology has advantages

A favourite webinar that you attended in the lockdown.

Packaging: A guardian of public health and essential lifeline of economy hosted by Reedexpo. It held a discussion on strategies, trends and innovation that will dominate business continuation challenges in 2020 and in coming years due to impact of Covid-19.

One maintenance tip you are following.

We regularly clean the rollers and have applied roller lubricant, cleaned ink ducts, drained dampening solution tank and intermediate tank, cleaned roller wash-up tank and applied roller lubricant on rubber tip, cleaned impression cylinder and applied thin coat of oil and greased gripper bars and applied thin coat of oil on gripper shafts.

Your advice during lockdown to your team.

Lockdown is an opportunity to do what you always wanted to do and never found time – spending quality family time, being creative and imaginative, learning any new subject, developing new skills, making intelligent conversations, reading good books and adding value, connecting with long lost friends, praying and being grateful, meditating and improving concentration, exercising and improving fitness.

Your healthcare mantra for Covid-19.

Keeping the immune system healthy to prevent infection and disease. Making healthy lifestyle choices by consuming nutritious foods and maintaining a balanced diet. Getting enough sleep, exercising, having supplements and not smoking.

One skill you have acquired during the lockdown.

Cooking. Always loved doing it but never found time. Had enough time now to research and learn various recipes. Dishes made till now include paneer butter masala, veg kurma, bagara bhindi, veg biryani.

One print technology which could be revolutionary in the post-Covid-19 world.

Digital print technology. One of the biggest challenge post-Covid-19 would be the availability of labour. Digital has advantages like short turnaround time, ease of operation with one operator, fast job changeover, less investment, less space and power requirement, variable data printing, less media wastage and cleaner environment.

One packaging innovation that could be the new normal.

Paper and packaging company Aryan Paper Group came up with a design to make beds out of corrugated boards using high strength paper. These are light weight, cost effective, easy to move and assemble and also easy to dispose of. These can be used as emergency hospital beds or for that matter to house workmen at manufacturing sites. More household items like tables and chairs can be made by this method.

One lesson from the pandemic for the industry.

Our world can turn upside down in a moment. We cannot take anything for granted. Something that happened in China has affected us so badly. We should always have a contingency plan in place. Also when faced with adversity we need to be positive and take corrective action.

One tip on man-management.

In such times of crisis and uncertainties, morale of your people is bound to be very low. They will have fear of their future and family well-being. As business leaders, it is our job to keep their motivation high by constant interaction and assuring them of business continuation and salary payments.

Post-lockdown, will you purchase Chinese products, for example, raw material and machines?

After this I think the entire world would try to sideline China. But it will not be easy to replicate China’s scale and cost effectiveness. We will try to avoid but will have to consider if there are no options. 

An assistance that you seek on behalf of the industry from the government.

Government should come out with a comprehensive relief package for MSMEs that includes extended period of moratorium, and early release of funds for revival including working capital, reducing interest rates, support in payment of wages and salaries, relaxations in filing requirements, waiver of penalties, late fees, GST rate reductions and speedy refunds.

One headline you want to see by the end of 2020.

India replaces China as the world’s second largest economy.

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Rohan Rai, director for business development, Shree Pack Containers

Investment in TQM (total quality management) can drive high long-term efficiency

A favourite webinar that you attended in the lockdown.

A webinar on impact of social branding especially post-Covid-19 organised by IIM, Ahmedabad.

One maintenance tip you are following.

Follow the guidelines and stick to the protocol given by machine manufacturers.

Your advice during lockdown to your team.

To introspect and reconnect with themselves; to truly understand their responsibility to society, to their family and to their job. Humanity has never been given a forceful reset prior to this pandemic in our generation. It is an eye-opener for us all, to truly understand the value and worth of our time on this planet

Your healthcare mantra for Covid-19.

Nutrition and sanitisation are key to safety and health. Eat natural preservative-free food and immunity boosting supplements. Follow all rules of sanitisation and understand that the true war facing us today is a viral outbreak and not a nuclear war.

One skill you have acquired during the lockdown.

I spent this time to develop my lingual abilities and learnt to communicate in a new language – Spanish.

One print technology, which could be revolutionary in the post-Covid-19 world.

High-speed digital printing has been on-demand and so has been hybrid print processes and the increased efficiency of digital workflows. These will continue in this era of digitalisation, especially post-Covid-19.

One packaging innovation that could be the new normal.

Saw a video of hospital beds made out of corrugated products. It was a brilliant packaging innovation in Covid-19.

One lesson from the pandemic for the industry?

When the dust settles, we will realise how little we need, how very much we actually have and the true value of human connection.

One tip on man-management.

Focus on having a balanced strategy between employee overtime and capacity planning. Investment in TQM (total quality management) can drive high long-term efficiency.

Post lockdown, will you purchase Chinese products, for example, raw material and machines?

We have purchased some in the past and will probably look for better alternatives for some parts in India.

An assistance that you seek on behalf of the industry from the government.

Well, there are many points, which have been drafted and sent to the government by BMPA and other forums highlighting issues the industry is facing in this crisis. There is major cash flow issue and I think all EMIs to banks and NBFC to be put on hold for six months or more with no levy of interest or delayed payment.

One headline you want to see by the end of 2020.

India has wiped of Covid-19 and the Indian economy is stabilising way faster than expected.

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Rishabh Singhvi, executive director, International Print-O-Pac

Contactless technology, such as the Internet of Things, could be a revolutionary technology in the post-Covid world

A favourite webinar that you attended in the lockdown.

TechNova’s industry specific Covid-19 response webinar.

One maintenance tip you are following.

To get enough sleep.

Your advice during lockdown to your team.

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay focused.

Your healthcare mantra for Covid-19.

Don’t go out. Don’t order in.

One skill you have acquired during the lockdown.

‘Zoom’ing.

One print technology, which could be revolutionary in the post-Covid world.

Contactless technology, such as the Internet of Things (IoT).

One packaging innovation that could be the new normal.

Sterile packaging.

One lesson from the pandemic for the industry.

It’s all changing faster than we think.

One tip on man-management.

Confide. Discuss. Align.

Post-lockdown, will you purchase Chinese products, for example, raw material and machines?

Indian raw materials work well for us. No plans for Capex as of now.

One assistance you seek on behalf of the industry from the government.

Packaging, newspapers, books and magazines are essential products and should be classified.

One headline you want to see by the end of 2020.

We persevered. We won.

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Sandeep Jain, partner, Manali Carton

We need to mitigate risks due to such natural disasters

A favourite webinar that you attended in the lockdown.

I have attended a few webinars both from corrugation and printing verticals. There was a webinar conducted by FCBM on corrugated box cracking, which I specifically enjoyed. Another webinar which was informative was on LAB vs density values.

One maintenance tip you are following.

In terms of physique maintenance, I work out regularly and not let laziness take the driver’s seat in my body.

Your advice during lockdown to your team.

Stay safe, stay healthy. Healthy doesn’t mean only physical health but, mental health too. Be connected to people. Utilise your time in enhancing your knowledge.

Your healthcare mantra for Covid-19.

Health is wealth.

One skill you have acquired during the lockdown.

Using virtual meeting options effectively.

One print technology, which could be revolutionary in the post-Covid world.

I believe all printing technology will have its own role to play.

One packaging innovation that could be the new normal.

Green disposable furniture.

One lesson from the pandemic for the industry.

We need to mitigate risk due to such natural disasters, which has till date not been a consideration for many.

One tip on man-management.

We need to show empathy for our employees, which I think will keep us in good stead in the long run.

Post-lockdown, will you purchase Chinese products, for example, raw material and machines?

I understand there is an anti-China campaign everywhere. We cannot boycott China totally now. But yes, we can always have a plan to exit Chinese dependency in a phased manner.

One assistance you seek on behalf of the industry from the government.

The government should provide interest waiver for all loans. This is something that only the government can provide.

One headline you want to see by the end of 2020.

India emerges as a print destination for the world.