Two decades of growth for Universal Print Systems — The Noel D'Cunha Sunday Column

The genesis and early years

UPS began its journey on 24 March 2008, in Guntur, an educational hub known for chilli, cotton, and tobacco. The initial focus was on machine-made speciality envelopes, notably housing the first imported Kaiwei, a Chinese envelope machine in South India. The first factory, located at plot number 19 in Autonagar, Guntur, operated with a team of six in a single eight-hour shift, six days a week.

Pamarthi Subba Rao says, "The first jobs included printing envelopes for BSNL bills dispatch, LIC, and Andhra University Entrance Application CET, setting the stage for high-volume, critical document printing." Over the first five years, the company's turnover grew from an initial INR 45 lakhs to INR 312 lakhs.

The security printing leap

A pivotal moment arrived on 12 August 2012, with the inauguration of their second unit in Surampalli. Rao says, "This new facility marked UPS’s official foray into security printing with the import of a five-colour Muller Martini press." This strategic move positioned UPS to serve a prestigious clientele, including pan-India Universities and Boards, Public Service Commissions of various states, and RRBs.

The subsequent years saw steady, robust growth, with turnover notching up INR 1,443 lakhs in 2018 and INR 2005 lakhs in 2023, ultimately reaching the INR 24 crore milestone by March 2025. Mr Rao credits this journey to "Teamwork and support of clients."

Technology and workflow

UPS emphasises adopting technology and maintaining stringent security protocols. The factory operations run in a general shift, sometimes extending to two shifts, following a meticulous schedule from job assignment to post-press. Quality checks are embedded at various levels, and material tracking is ensured until safe delivery and client confirmation.

Rao explains how, as a supplier to banks and government departments, UPS adheres to IBA guidelines for safety, security, and quality. The 2.24-acre land is secured with a 12-foot electric fencing boundary wall, a single entry manned by professional security, and a comprehensive surveillance system of 49 cameras.

Mr Rao's "first moment of realisation" regarding their capacity to handle complex, sophisticated projects came in 2016 when they printed and distributed six lakhs of HSE Kerala certificates across the state without a single error."

Other high-volume successes include 27 lakhs of carbonless AP government jobs in 12 days (2019) and 58 lakhs of carbonless OMR Sheets for a northern state government project in 25 days (2024).

Future outlook

UPS's core print mantra is to deliver "specified, timely delivery of quality material to our customers at an affordable price." Rao believes in offering "a little extra in any situation" and focusing on a culture of respectability, delegation of power, and continuous training.

Looking ahead, Rao and the UPS team are aiming for an INR 100 crore turnover by the end of 2030. The plan is to diversify the business line to adapt to technology updates. The company's vision extends beyond business growth to social responsibility, focusing on developing villages and empowering local people.

His advice to print firms in tough times is to never forget the scientific roots of printing and guarantee the quality of the highest order. Rao says, "A security print firm should be answerable, and there should be no unpredictability."

Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, Rao says, "We maintained our turnover due to steady work from the insurance and health segments, particularly printing LIC policy bonds." And this is the mantra at UPS: careful adherence to all the procedures all the time.