Award invests in Bobst for pharma packaging

In a move that reinforces its position as a pioneer in the Indian pharmaceutical packaging sector, Award Packaging has announced the expansion of its production capabilities. Following the successful installation of its first Bobst Novacut 106 E 3.0 with Accuregister just one year ago, the company placed a repeat order for a second unit alongside a Visionfold 80 with Accubraille.

Founded in 1972 by Navnitlal M Shah, Award Packaging has evolved under the leadership of chairman and managing director Rajesh Shah, joint managing director Nitin Shah, and executive director Krunal Shah. Today, the company produces over five-million folding cartons daily, specialising in high-end finishes and advanced security features. The centrepiece of this recent expansion is the integration of Accuregister and Accubraille technologies, which enable contactless camera registration on the die cutter and in-line Braille embossing on the folder-gluer, effectively eliminating separate production steps and reducing manual intervention.

The decision to reinvest was driven by the urgent need for accuracy and waste reduction. Nitin Shah explains that as technology upgrades and customer demand increase, we need to look at the latest technology to address market needs. Thicker substrates, like litho-laminated corrugated boxes, require extreme precision, and thickness can range from 2-mm to 4-mm.

The Accuregister function is of great help to process litho-laminated board since there is no touch with front lays and pull-push guides; the camera reads the edge of the board or print mark and introduces the sheet into the machine, thus reducing stoppages drastically. Also, the front edge of the printed sheet is sometimes uneven across the length of the board. While doing flute lamination, the Accuregister takes care of that since there is no contact while doing the registration. It also helps during the monsoon; the moisture level increases, and the board may get a bit warped. The machine with this feature handles it well. The corrugated board runs smoothly in the machine, helping us achieve much higher and consistent productivity.

Rajesh Shah emphasises the long-term return on investment provided by the partnership. He states that Bobst has long been the market leader in flat-bed die cutters and folder gluers and has led the packaging industry with constant innovations. While the initial cost may be higher than that of other suppliers in the market, he believes that if you calculate the total time saving and wastage saving over a period of five to seven years, the cost is easily covered. He highlights that the service support from Bobst remains a critical factor in the company’s continued preference for the brand.

The operational impact of this machinery is vital for future-proofing the company against stringent pharmaceutical regulations. Krunal Shah notes that the investment provides peace of mind because the company’s previous process of handling Braille embossing was time-consuming. By integrating Braille embossing and quality control into one production process, the company guarantees less waste and higher manufacturing accuracy. With a comprehensive training programme provided during installation, the operators have become efficient in handling these complex machines. With sixteen pieces of Bobst equipment now on the floor, Award Packaging is setting a new standard for precision and dependability in the Indian packaging market.