Industry Pulse: Excitement overwhelms headwinds, say winners
A survey of top young industry professionals for PrintWeek's 'Forty Under Forty' project reveals a strong current of excitement and optimism about the printing and packaging sectors, despite acknowledged challenges in pricing and competition. When asked to rate their excitement on a scale of 1 to 5, the pulse of the industry is a healthy 4 out of 5, with many leaders rating their enthusiasm at the highest level.
27 Jan 2026 | 208 Views | By Dibyajyoti Sarma
This is the perfect message for the industry on day one of the Pamex show at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai.
PrintWeek's Forty Under 40 is an annual event that will recognise and celebrate the exceptional achievements of young professionals in the print and packaging industry in India. The winners are the people who have inspirational print/packaging stories. People who have contributed to the business and have success stories. Individuals who are passionate about helping to drive the industry forward — not just in terms of business success but also in terms of the welfare of the people working in the industry, in terms of making the industry welcoming to people currently excluded from it, and in terms of making their communities and the world better places.
The consensus among the next-generation leaders is that the industry is experiencing a rapid and versatile evolution, driven primarily by technological progress.
The key drivers of optimism are innovation and technology. Technology is seen as the primary enabler of constant innovation, leading the industry toward “speed, intelligence and relevance". Isha Deshpande of Trigon Digipack rated her excitement as a perfect 5, noting that the industry is "rapidly evolving with new technology" and has plenty of opportunities for innovative ideas.
As Ashish Bhushan, who is the country head of Haymarket Media, said, "Smarter manufacturing is seeing a growing focus. This is moving beyond simple automation to AI-powered workflows where people focus on high-level decisions. Meanwhile, the industry is showing an increased self-awareness and a focus on material innovation, which is leading to more exciting developments.”
While enthusiasm is high, the young leaders are not blind to current pressures. Vidur Kanoria of TCPL Packaging, who rated his excitement at four, noted that "things have slowed down" and that "pricing/competition makes our job difficult and restricted," though he added there is still "a lot of scope and exciting" potential. Akshay Kanoria, also of TCPL Packaging, similarly rated his excitement at four.
The message from the 'Forty Under Forty' professionals is clear: leaders must “Build for where the market is going, not for comfort”. Success, as one leader noted, comes from "Adapting to changing times and creating growth opportunities".
Forty Under 40 highlights the rising stars who have transformed the industry through innovative ideas, technical expertise, and a commitment to excellence. By showcasing the accomplishments of these individuals, PrintWeek aims to inspire and motivate others while providing a platform for young talents to shine. Look out for the complete list of winners in the February issue of PrintWeek.
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