PrintPack Engineers: Bridging four decades of legacy with modern corrugation tech

The landscape of the Indian corrugated packaging industry has undergone a seismic shift over the last four decades, transitioning from manual, labour-intensive setups to the high-speed, automated powerhouses seen today. At the heart of this transformation lies PrintPack Engineers, an organisation that has balanced family legacy with a pursuit of technological modernisation. Founded in 1985 by Harish Seth, the company has grown from a startup into a pivotal bridge between global engineering and the Indian market, now bolstered by the strategic leadership of chief operating officer Riddhi Shah.

The genesis of the organisation is inseparable from the expertise of Seth, a veteran with over forty-five years of experience who is often regarded as a foundational figure in the packaging sector. While the family name is synonymous with the broader Printograph legacy, PrintPack Engineers carved out its own niche by specialising in corrugation, box-making, and packaging machinery. A significant milestone in this journey occurred in 2006, a year of dual importance, as it marked both the birth of the Jiya brand and the namesake of the family’s next generation. Since then, the company has distinguished itself by being among the first to successfully integrate Chinese machinery into Indian production lines, maintaining a consistent and principled partnership with a fixed set of suppliers for nearly two decades.

Under the operational guidance of Shah, who joined the firm initially in administration before rising through the mentorship under her father, the company has expanded its portfolio to include 35 distinct products across seven major principles. The current market strategy focuses heavily on flexo printers, which have become the firm’s signature offering with over 200 installations across the country. These machines, ranging from chain-feed to lead-edge systems, cater to a diverse clientele requiring everything from massive shipping containers to precision-engineered FMCG packaging. The technical specifications of its automatic plants, capable of reaching speeds of 250-metres-per-minute and handling production volumes that meet the exacting standards of eCommerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart.

Addressing the historical scepticism surrounding imported machinery, PrintPack Engineers has developed a standard operating procedure for quality assurance and knowledge transfer. The process begins with research and development to ensure that international technology is adapted for the specific rigours of the Indian environment. This is followed by a comprehensive installation phase where international technicians work alongside local staff to facilitate a complete skill transfer. This commitment to self-sufficiency was proven during the pandemic, when the company successfully commissioned automatic lines in Wardha and Moradabad without the physical presence of overseas engineers, relying entirely on the internal pool of expertise the company had cultivated.

Looking toward the future, the organisation is pivoting toward the burgeoning demand for digital printing and short-run versatility. With 12 recent installations of digital printers across India and East Africa, the company is addressing the needs of a market increasingly defined by varied SKUs and click-to-print requirements. By utilising advanced head technologies such as the Epson AI3200 and HP, the company is pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in digital corrugated printing, particularly for the oil and agro-export sectors. As the company looks towards the latter half of 2026, the focus remains on introducing digital box-makers to provide cost-effective, small-footprint solutions for startups and specialised manufacturers, ensuring that the legacy established by Seth continues to adapt and thrive in a digital-first world.