All About Newspapers

Cutting Edge
Picking up progress in Pink City
Printers Emporium and YK Graphics breaking new ground

Offset printing segment in Jaipur got along a new growth momentum as some leading material suppliers have instigated a distinguished line of products and technology without which the region’s industry couldn’t have reached the position it holds today. While talking to All About Newspapers, YK Narula, proprietor, Printers Emporium and managing director, YK Graphics (P) Ltd narrates the company’s endeavour to set in a new revolution in Pink City’s printing sector and his entry into the print industry, following the footprints of his father.

Y K Narula

n the year 1988, when YK Narula first entered the offset printing market for a business, Jaipur had only four offset presses and three newspapers. For him, the initial six months were the time to observe the overall technologies and products seen around the market. Technova was a leader holding the whole market, not only in Jaipur but also in most parts of India. And other heavyweights having stronghold positions in the market was AGFA as it was the time when photosetting machines were used to take out bromides, which subsequently facilitated to produce deep-etch /wipeon plates or negatives.

In fact, his father had established an offset printing press during 1969-70 which he wished to pull his son into the same profession. “I was brought up seeing my father’s printing activities, whether it would be machineries, operations and processing everything happened in front of my eyes and still stuck in my mind,” says Narula adding that he however used to dream of constantly getting on to business in hotel industry.

Analytic move

During his early days in business, Narula analysed the region’s overall market parameter and print providers and what he found was a sort of monopolistic approach, which was not customer oriented (simply seller oriented). “Most of the suppliers failed to provide any service and technical advice to customers,” comments Narula adding that his plan was to penetrate into the subjugated area to make a difference. But the problem was those playing monopoly in the market were quite strong financially and couldn’t stand against them.

Narula used to shuttle from one press to another to demonstrate products and requested them to use it and provide feedback in a few days. This was indeed an analytic move of Printers Emporium/YK Graphics to deliver dynamic assistance to printers, in terms of technology transfer and solutions on machineries, equipments and technologies. “It’s sometimes a major confusion to them on what machine they need to opt. And while deciding the factor, we generally guide them to go for normal offset or a digital machine or something else,” Narula describes.

Today, Printers Emporium/YK Graphics is associated with Dainik Bhaskar group, feeding materials to their eighteen branches including in Noida, Haryana and Punjab. “We create strength by satisfying customers with quality of products/service for which they keep relying upon us forever and which is the most important factor in the newspaper industry,” asserts Narula adding, “If material is required at 10 o’clock we need to deliver it ten minutes before, which brings a kind of trust for us.”

Valued service

Beyond the realm of newspaper segment, Printers Emporium/YK Graphics has been associated with a gamut of printers in the commercial printing segment. “We supplied only Lastra Niraj products, but following the company’s merger with Technova, our product line changed to Technova brands,” states Narula. In addition, seminars on print technologies, use of materials, product updates and achievement of optimal quality are regular activities organised for the benefit of their clients and industry in larger perspective.

Giving the way that conveys and delivers value/quality to their customers, Narula underlines two important ways to deliver a product. “First, you go to a customer and describe the features of the product. And the second way is to create utility that can be achieved only when you understand the client’s profile precisely. One needs to do some homework, then suggest according to their financial strength and need,” advises Narula.

Getting broader

To mention a few, a string of products from Technova (Lastra), Proteck, SICPA, Organic Coating and Phoenix are what Printers Emporium/YK Graphics has been distributing for years. “We have installed six Dainippon Screen CtP machines across Rajasthan,” mentions Narula. Commenting on the region’s growth, he mentions that the Udaipur market is growing up faster than Jaipur as it has installed seven four-colour presses over the last three years.

Receiving a growth of 10-12%, the overall printing industry of Rajasthan is growing. “A measure in terms of activities and investments in the segment shows that Jaipur needs a lot of supports from the government for a swift improvement,” remarks Narula looking out to form a printers’ association in the Pink City to boost the industry altogether under a united strategy.