Hyderabad’s print sector thrives amid challenges — The Noel D’Cunha Sunday Column

C Ravinder Reddy says, “The economic uncertainty has made the market challenging.” However, he notes a positive counter-trend: “The Hyderabad print industry is evolving due to the pharmaceutical sector. This has led to increased demand for specialised packaging like labels and flexible solutions.” He adds, “Print on demand is also seeing growth. There is also a surge in demand for corrugation, as eCommerce platforms require robust packaging for safe delivery.” This highlights the industry’s agility in adapting to new demand.

TOPA members serve sectors including pharmaceuticals, education, real estate, and packaging. Print firms in Telangana have embraced flexibility, with commercial printers now handling short-run jobs. Reddy clarifies, “Typically, a short run is defined as starting from about 200 copies and can extend to higher numbers, depending on the specific needs of the client.” This allows for cost-effective solutions for smaller projects, reducing excess inventory.

Challenges and opportunities
A challenge, according to Reddy, is the rising costs of paper and other raw materials. How have TOPA members navigated this? Reddy says that optimising their supply chains, negotiating better deals with suppliers, and implementing technology-driven efficiencies. These strategies have allowed them to maintain production quality and stability. Conversely, he says, smaller enterprises face greater hurdles as “They may not have the same negotiating power or resources to invest in advanced technologies, making it difficult to absorb the higher costs. As a result, some smaller divisions have experienced tighter margins and faced operational pressures.”

Reddy’s assessment of the broader commercial printing sector is that it “faces challenges, due to a disparity between supply and demand. Despite demand for commercial print services, supply outweighs this growth, leading to increased competition and pricing pressures.” However, this environment also presents “unique opportunities, particularly for packaging converters,” as high growth industries demand innovative and sustainable packaging.

A leader’s philosophy
Ravinder Reddy maintains a disciplined routine, starting his day at 5:30 am with yoga and a walk. Mornings are dedicated to reviewing the printing press’s job cards and schedules. From 4 to 7 pm, he focuses on TOPA and MSME-related printing matters. As the chairman of the MSME Welfare Standing Committee at the All India Federation of Master Printers, his guiding principle for MSMEs is: adapt, innovate, thrive.

MSME policy impact
TOPA achieved a milestone on 8 January 2025: “the successful change of electricity tariff from the commercial to the industrial category,” which provides a “financial benefit of about 40% to the Telangana MSME print firms.”

Reddy recounts that “During my tenure with the help of my team, we engaged with the Ministry of MSME under the International Cooperative program.” This initiative allowed members to gain “first-hand insight into emerging trends, technologies, and techniques essential to the print and packaging industries,” through visits to international exhibitions.

With MSME support, TOPA has implemented LEAN Management strategies for numerous businesses, which has been “instrumental in minimising waste and enhancing productivity without incurring substantial overhead costs, thus empowering our community to achieve higher efficiency.” TOPA hosted the “first and second editions of All in Print South in 2022 and 2024,” where MSME support enabled exhibitors to showcase their wares with “80% subsidised stalls.” The association has organised five international conferences backed by Ministry of MSME.

Under his leadership of the AIFMP’s MSME Welfare Standing Committee, two international conferences were launched: the MSME Tech Summit 2024 in Pune and Mangalore. Reddy outlines key goals for the MSME Welfare Standing Committee, including “the establishment of an MSME Cell at the AIFMP office.” This cell will “provide assistance to all affiliate associations in navigating and accessing MSME schemes and their paperwork.” .

As head of the MSME cell, Reddy advocates for forming clusters to boost collaboration among MSMEs, fostering shared resources and the exchange of knowledge. The aim is to implement strategic measures to enhance collective bargaining power and operational efficiency for small businesses and to collaborate with policymakers to address and resolve regulatory challenges, advocating for favourable policies that bolster MSME growth. The All India Federation of Master Printers (AIFMP) regularly engages with government officials to support the industry.

TOPA’s vision
The Telangana Offset Printers Association (TOPA) was established in 2015, a year after Telangana’s formation, and has since grown to over 550 members. Reddy shared with PrintWeek that “When we founded TOPA, we had three primary objectives.” The first was changing the electricity tariff, a goal achieved after seven years of determination. The second was securing land and building, with a one-acre plot and a 6,500-square foot building nearing completion, poised to be “one of the largest by an Indian printing association.”

A third vision is to establish a “skill development centre to cultivate growth opportunities for Telangana’s youth and existing employees. This centre is crucial for creating a skilled workforce within our industry.” The aim is to establish a thriving print cluster.

Hyderabad remains the undisputed “hub of print activities” in Telangana, benefiting from robust infrastructure, skilled labour, and a dynamic business ecosystem. Reddy notes, “While Hyderabad continues to flourish, other cities in Telangana are evolving.”

Future-proofing the industry
Reddy emphasises sustainability, particularly in the packaging sector. He states, “We need to focus more on recycling as well as using less plastic in the form of lamination and MetPet while moving towards coatings as an alternative.” He adds, “We can also consider adoption of energy efficient printing machines and chemical-free processes to reduce the environmental impact.” For smaller printers, “small process optimisations can reduce wastage and resource consumption (like paper and chemicals) thereby reducing the environmental impact over the long term.”

He suggests adopting solar panels, noting that “the government subsidises solar panel installation to a large extent.” His key advice for struggling firms is to “invest in new technology.” He explains, “When printers invest in modern technology, the potential for efficiency and cost reduction increases significantly. Typically, you should be able to recover your capital investment within three to four years. Embracing innovations not only streamline operations but also opens up new revenue streams and helps firms stay competitive.” Reddy’s concluding message to the industry is that “Partnerships and collaborations within our industry can offer shared resources and expertise, contributing to stability and growth.”