Least threat to printed
newspapers predicted during
PRINTPACK INDIA 2015
Sooner or later, the printed newspapers we grab every day, without which many find
their early morning tea incomplete, seem to be disappearing forever as the current
onslaught of online technologies is gradually swallowing up the common man.
However, living on the safe side right away from such threat looming large in the
west is the Indian newspaper industry, which has its own model of survival that can
last for the next two decades or so. This statement was assented by a host of web
offset industry stalwarts who talked briefly to All About Newspapers during
the recent PRINTPA CK INDIA 2015.
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Amid the crowd of 85,000 visitors
attending the vast arrays of
machines and technologies shown
by 411 exhibitors from different clusters
of printing and packaging industries at the
PRINTPA CK INDIA 2015 was a select group
of leading web offset manufacturers and
allied companies, namely, manroland India,
Manugraph, Pressline India, Prakash Web
Offset, Naph Graphics, J Mahabeer, Perfect
Rotary, Bottcher, QuadTech, FUJIFILM
India, DIC India, etc who assured extended
survival of the Indian newspaper industry.
According to them, newspaper circulations
in the country keep increasing and there is
still room for growth in near future, unlike
the constant declines witnessing in the
West. The moguls presented not only their
products and solutions but also persuasive
ideas and provocative thoughts during the
five-day PRINTPACK INDIA 2015.
Web offset machine updates
Apart from their extensively acclaimed
high-speed web offset machines, manroland
India resiliently promoted their range of
other products and services under three
segments during the expo. First being the
services to their web presses that include
installation, commissioning, retrofit, upgrade,
shifting, press audit and others, which
form core strength of the company in
India. Secondly, newspaper consumables,
which they have been introducing to their
customers viz. low cost blankets, etc and
the third one is digital solution or digital
post-press finishing, indeed a new move
of manroland India.
“Our foray into digital printing or digital
post-press solution means that we have the
capability to integrate any inkjet printer
into folding and perfect binding process.
Everything will be in-line, perfectly designed
for on-demand book printing,” asserted
Pankaj Bhasin, managing director, manroland
India Pvt Ltd. He further asserted that
they have been in close association with
leading inkjet printer manufacturers, such
as Kodak, Canon Oce, HP, among others.
Since manroland is known for its innovations
globally, the integration of digital press on
their existing web offset machines will give
birth to ‘hybrid presses’, capable to handle
variable data printing. “It can even print
lottery tickets on newspapers for different
individual readers,” Pankaj mentioned as
one example of the advantages.
On the future of printed newspapers, Pankaj
cited India as one of the few countries where
newspaper circulation is going up. “So,
there is always a unanimity that this area
will continue to grow in the next couple of
decades,” said Pankaj. He added that big
newspaper houses are now branching out to
small towns across the country, expanding
regional readership. Pankaj estimated that
the growth in circulation of newspapers
will be in the rate of three percent in the
metros and seven percent in rural pockets.
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Boosting up the spirit of the Indian
newspaper industry, Manugraph rightfully
presented its newly unpacked Ecoline,
which is engineered for 25,000 cph. About
the significant features of the press, PK
Bhalla, general manager, Manugraph India
Limited said, “Ecoline is designed for the
Indian newspaper market. This is a very
compact press suitable for small to midlevel
newspapers having circulations of up
to 80,000 copies.” Since big newspaper
houses are now considering to move to
Tier II or III cities for strategic presence
in regional domains, PK Bhalla expects
demand for such machine (Ecoline) will
be accelerated. “We are now planning to
demonstrate this press to some leading
newspaper houses post
expo,” he said.
“Now-a-days, it’s true
that online media is a
big challenge to printed
newspapers. But in case
of big-population countries like India
and China, printed newspapers still have
a road ahead for covering the unexplored
rural demography and geography where
online media penetration is little,”
explained PK Bhalla. “I’m confident
that there is room for survival for the
printed newspapers in India in the years
to come,” he assured.
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Mahabeer & Company, a well-known
indigenous manufacturer of web offset
machines, marked its presence in
the expo with a focus on its widely
acclaimed 4 Color Satellite over 4
colour Satellite Tower printing unit
with the printing speed of 36,000.
“This machine has been installed at
Gujarat Guardian (Surat) and Punjab
Kesari (Delhi) and our presence in the
expo is to propagate the values and
competencies of the press,” asserted
T Chatterjee, general manager, J
Mahabeer & Company Pvt Ltd. He
added, “We are delighted to find a
good traffic of visitors coming from
different parts of the country.” This press
with hairline registration offers unparalleled
printing quality, reduced wastage, resulting
in substantially reduced manpower needs
with the use of ‘Set and Forget Technology.’
In addition to its range of versatile weboffset
machines, J Mahabeer & Company
presented its services, particularly after-sale
servicing, and others including retrofitting,
technology upgrades, etc. “In the current
Indian scenario, after-sale service is the
most important one. This is a continuous
process and we are not the ones who say
goodbye to customers after selling them the
machines,” said T Chatterjee. He saw the
growth in the Indian newspaper industry,
despite all speculation about the beginning
of the end of the printed newspapers. “Yes,
in Europe, volume of print media has been
drastically reduced. But we are still away
from such scenario. Circulations are growing
up in small towns where big newspaper
houses are now zeroing in on,” remarked
T Chatterjee adding, “I personally feel that
printed newspapers are safe in India for
the next 10-15 years.”
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What it stood out attractively at the stand
of Pressline India was its Silverline press
designed with a reduced width for added
advantages. Describing the salient features
of the state-of-the-art web offset machine,
Amit K Sharma, manager marketing,
Pressline India Private Limited stated that
visitors glued to the added advantages of
the newly introduced Silverline. “Newspaper
houses now can save huge using this
reduced width press. It could be in terms
of the cost of blankets, inks, plates and
water consumption,” he
emphasised. Most of all,
this new advancement of
the machine will increase
production speed.
Newly launched Silverline
impressed visitors with
many other added advantages. In this respect,
Amit further pointed out, “Online digital
numbering, gluing, auto splicer are some
of the major features of this machine. To
integrate these added advancements, we have
tied up with a third parties,” he mentioned.
Also showcased by Pressline India, giving
a new fervour to the newspaper industry,
was the automatic plate bender, which is
tested, proven product and first-of-its-kind
in the Indian market. Overall development
and eagerness from trade visitors provoked
Amit to say there is still provision of growth
in the printed newspaper market in India.
Among the big launches during PRINTPACK
INDIA 2015 was the introduction of Naph
Demy Crown web offset press from Naph
Graphics Pvt Ltd. The machine is engineered
for dual purposes in different ways. First, it
can be used for both newspaper and book
printing houses. Pointing to the machine
standing in a mammoth size at the company’s
stand, Mohit Bansal, assistant directormarketing,
Naph Graphics explained,
“Naph Demy Crown is kind of a single
machine that can get dual outputs —16
page signatures of size 8.75 x 11 inch and
12 page signatures of size 7.5x10 inch.” At
present, textbook printers need two different
presses to print very two popular textbook
sizes (mentioned above), but now the Naph
Demy Crown as one single printing unit/
tower of 578 mm cut-off can churn both
the formats from one source.
Media Group with all its four publications participated in Printpack India 2015
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Perfect Rotary’s introduction of WEBKING
Perfectline at the expo imparted some
fresh prospects to the newspaper industry.
Referring the company’s big launch of the
new web offset press, RD Gupta, remarked
some extra or added features attributed in
the machine, “This four-high press is based
on staggered blanket cylinders (S-Wrap)
concept wherein the distance between the
two printing units has been minimised to
ensure accurate colour registration with
minimal wastage.” He further specified other
unique features, “It is capable to print at the
maximum speed of 35,000 cph in different
cut-offs like 508, 546 and 578 mm.”
All buzz around WEBKING Perfectline at
Perfect Rotary’s stand was for the versatilities
of the machine. The machine is engineered
in a modular type unit construction using
side frames. “This machine is featured with
stainless steel plate and blanket cylinders,
which are however optional,” detailed
Gupta adding that WEBKING Perfectline is
equipped with register and circumferential
movement for perfect colour registration.
Among the other web offset machine
manufacturers showcasing their range of
elegant presses in the expo were Ronald
Web Offset, The Printers House (TPH),
NBG Printographic, GOSS International, etc.
Consumables and allied solutions
Adding windfall values to the showcase
of a line of web offset printers during
PRINTPACK INDIA 2015 were a host of
manufacturers of consumables and software
solutions, who correspondingly showcased
a significant range of technologies and
products to boost quality in newspaper
productions. FUJIFILM India showcased
its total pressroom solution and plates.
Engineered in a perfect manner to optimise
print process to a new standard and add
value to any pressroom environment, the
company demonstrated the whole gamut
of its products in an inspiring approach
during the expo. Kamlesh
Mani Tripathi, national
manager - technical
support consumables,
Graphics Art Division,
FUJIFILM India Private Limited remarked
a special point about all products the
company presented, “A unique or common
attribute of FUJIFILM products, unlike other
conventional ones, is the eco-friendliness.”
Manufacturer of a range of inks for
newspaper and packaging industries, DIC
highlighted its expertise during the expo.
DIC News Inks are categorised for machines
of two different configurations, such as
75,000-80,000 cph (high) and 45,000 cph
(normal). “We have carefully engineered
the inks considering all critical aspects of
newspaper printing,” said Partho Mukherjee
of DIC India Limited. He added that the
inks are superior in printability and excellent
performance on a wide range of newsprints.
In fact, DIC News Inks cater excellent and
accurate results for the users of colour
optimisation software, achieving all round
benefits, be it technical
or cost effectiveness.
Colour control—this
is what QuadTe c h
loudly conveyed to
the newspaper industry
dur ing PRINTPACK
INDIA 2015. “Standardisation in colour
is still a cut-off activity in the Indian
printing (including newspaper) industry. For
example, when you print a McDonald’s ad
in the newspaper, it is exceedingly important
to maintain density/similarity between the
‘yellow’ in original and printed version
or yellows from one copy to another,”
explained Sanat Gandhi, manager of sales
& service, QuadTech. He added, “This
is how we come up with the science of
colour maintenance and we look forward to
serving our customers with this approach.”
Also presented from QuadTech at the expo
consisted of register control, cut-off control,
to mention a few.
Two separate stands of Memory in the expo,
one for machines and other for consumables,
attracted the company’s existing customers
as well as prospects. Appreciating the expo,
Bal Krishan, managing director, Memory
Repro Systems Pvt Ltd said, “Well, first
of all I would like to say that it was a
wonderful show organised by IPAMA. The
number of visitors visited were of serious
nature and we never expected such a
good business.”
“This time we had two stalls measuring
180 square meters. This helped us a lot in
attending the visitors. People were looking
for branded quality products with service but
were little concerned about the price tag.
We had on display our high end version of
traveling oven consisting of baking solution
coater, baking in the chamber, wash gum
and dry and stacker. It was a big hit on
our stand,” he added.
Their PLC controlled multi-purpose coater
with long conveyor was in big demand as
one can make boxes, back to back pasting
and many other products. “We introduced our
new plate cleaning machine for UV printing
plates, which requires oscillating brushes.
The new product this time was flexo plate
cleaning machine. We had on display oil
based thermal laminating and semi auto case
making machines and related
machines with PLC control
including casing-in,” he added further.
Apart from the above they showcased their
video plate punch and bender for sheet fed
machines. For the first time they displayed
their blanket cleaning process and colour
registration system for web offset machines
at the expo. Bal Krishan was excited to
the fact that they received 900 enquiries
with an order booking for next two
months production.”
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Among other product launches, Newstech
unpacked its NTPJ-100 Paper Jogger Table,
which is equipped with silent vibrator
technology and it cost-effectively controls
paper alignment faster than any conventional
machines. Also introduced at the company’s
stand was fully automatic NTCS Cross
Strapping Machine designed for newspapers
and other applications including magazines,
circulars, mail orders, etc. Megtech Systems
India did highlight their flagship Flying
Splicer (AR 35-1) aiming at newspaper
and book printing segments. On the other
side, Rado Packaging presented its line of
high-performance powder extractor systems,
fully automated punch & bending machines,
registrar pin bar and others.
A new concept of newspaper inserter was
introduced by Technicon India, which is
already very active in mailroom solutions,
specially designed for small to mid print
runs. On the other side, Muller Martini
also presented technical knowhow of
its flagship mailroom system. Other
eminent exhibitors showcasing a rage of
consumables and other related products for
the newspaper printing market included
Kodak, JN Arora, Huber Group/Micro
Inks, Q. I. Press Controls, etc.
PRINTPACK INDIA 2015 was an eye opener
for the country’s newspaper printing industry,
which is now in dilemma between present and
future life of printed newspapers. Industry
leaders from both sides, newspaper houses
and machine/material/software manufactures
during the expo, authenticated the fact that
the era of printed newspapers in the country
is sustainable to a greater extent.
And substantial orders received by majority
of the exhibitors were reported which
definitely conveys the positive trends
prevailing in Indian print industry.
PRAKASH Web Offset makes things
easier, innovative and affordable
Prakash Web Offset was yet another presenter of a
new milestone of innovations during the expo. Two
premium products shown at the company’s massive stand
were the heavy duty three-cylinder PRAKASH Sonic
Folder (36,000 speed) and SG50 splicer, first-of-its-kind
product introduced in the Indian web offset printing
market. Capable to operate 50,000 cph and compatible
with all brands of web offset machines, SG50 is designed
with two arms turret with highly reliable electric brakes
and it does not require any hoist or cart when it comes
to lifting new roll from the floor. Overjoyed to large
visitors’ response to the company’s products on display,
Saurabh Gupta, director, Prakash Web Offset Pvt Ltd
eulogised PRINTPACK INDIA for being a strategic
platform to present new development and get to see
other development in the industry.
Another big attraction from Prakash Web Offset
at the expo was the company’s spare parts portal
(www.prakashoffsetspares.com), which Saurabh mentioned as
one of their noble initiatives to meet the sheer requirements
of customers. “We notice the fact that ‘spares’ is one of
the areas where machine manufacturers and OEMs don’t pay the attention that it deserves.
Customers often suffer because of delays. So, we have taken all our inventories online
and everything is transparent,” he described. Referring to further initiatives, Saurabh
mentioned about revamping their online activities on website, “Apart from mere interactions
via e-mails, we are now looking at designing our website in a form of an interactive
platform using advanced interactive tools, such as real-time chat, etc.”
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‘Together We Grow’
First-of-its-kind seminar and
symposium on web offset printing
ever organised during PRINTPACK
INDIA, IPAMA in collaboration with
Vibes Academy conducted ‘Together
We Grow’ on the third day of the
five-day expo. Receiving a stimulating
response from the attendees, the series
of presentations from the industry experts
covered all technical, management and
business aspects of web offset printing
in India. Moderated by MK Nandakumar,
founder, Vibes Academy, speakers in
different sessions of the event emphasised
on the importance of quality, research,
innovation, self-reliance and service
excellence at a crucial juncture in the
industry.
Among the galaxy of speakers, VS Raja
of Hindustan Times stressed on the roles
played by vendors in boosting success
of both manufacturers and printers.
He shared management techniques
in selection, integration, training and
development of vendors. Pradeep Uni
of Amar Ujala spoke about what end
users (newspapers) in India expect from
machine manufacturers. In his discourse,
he related to defect-free products,
automation, performance assurance,
etc. In the similar tone, Deepankar
Bhattacharya of The Times of India
narrated the ways to manage between
conventional and proven management
techniques to derive more values from
resources.
Steve Metcalf of Air Motion Systems Inc
addressed about the aspects of UV-LED
technology. He urged the industry leader to
go for the technology producing no heat,
no pollution, less lead time and longer
life. In another session, Vijay Pandya of
Q.I. Press Controls India spoke about the
importance of sustained post-sale relationship
between manufactures and printers for a
mutual growth.
The concluding part of the seminar and
symposium was a panel discussion in
which Sunil Mehta of Mitsubishi India,
Lal Jayawardena of Wijaya Publications
(Colombo), VS Raja of Hindustan Times
and KR Chandrahas of Pressline India
reflected on the confidence which Indian
manufacturers must build up to tackle
up the challenges emerged out of the
positive nods of overseas manufacturers
to the calls for ‘Make in India’ projects.
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Vita range of products & rubber
roller from Boettcher
Impressed with all new and innovative
products putting up on display, buzzing
crowd around the stand of Boettcher
Systems at the PRINTPACK INDIA 2015
drew their intense attention to the company’s
Vita range of products for packaging printing,
which were remarkably introduced during
the expo. “In today’s competitive market,
it’s quite important to make end products
distinctive and set apart from competitors.
Keeping this in mind, our Vita products
are introduced for high-quality packaging
printing,” remarked Prabhat Kumar, product &
marketing manager, Boettcher (India) Pvt Ltd.
Newly launched Vita range of products are
engineered cost effectively and designed for
manufacturers striving for optimised cost of
production at local or regional levels, but in
full control over brand integrity and global
quality standards. These new products meet
the test criteria of machine manufacturers
and approved by ISEGA, an independent
testing and certification institute in Germany
with the capacity for analytical works in
packaging materials, pulps, papers, boards,
colours, additives and others.
Also presented at the stand of Boettcher
Systems during the expo were the company’s
press roller technologies, Flex sleeves &
other printing chemicals. The newspaper
industry across the world trusts the
company’s advanced rubber compounds
known for producing superior prints
and capable to run longer without
frequent roller adjustments. “We have
been closely associated with a number
of leading newspapers like The Times
of India, Hindustan Times, Dainik
Bhaskar and many at regional arenas,
such as Dinakaran, Anand Bazar
Patrika and Dinamalar, supplying them
rubber rollers including chemical, etc,”
mentioned Prabhat.
Dirk Odenbrett, director, Boettcher, present
during the exhibition, enthused with the
response and was personally sharing about new
development in Rubber technology and India
Roller Production Plant benefit with visitors.
Also spotted at the stand of Boettcher during
the expo was VS Narayanan, general managertechnical,
Dinamalar ordering rubber rollers.
“The newly ordered Boettcher rubber roller
will be featured in our Manugraph web press,”
Narayanan said. He further mentioned that
innovations as well as newspaper circulations in
the country are now increasing. On the current
debate on the fate of printed newspapers, VS
Narayanan opined that there is still demand for
physical dailies at provincial arenas in India
and it will be both innovations in printing
and strong editorial contents that would
give newspapers further survival.
Along with the newspaper customers, a
lot of enthusiasm was seen in packaging
customers about the new development
(Vita range) at the Boettcher stand. Some
of the prominent players of the packaging
industry from all over India, like Manipal
Group, TCPL, Parksons Packaging, Temple
Packaging, HBD Packaging, etc dropped in
at the company’s stand.
With regional branch offices in major Indian
cities, Boettcher has its marketing office in
Gurgaon and warehouse in Faridabad. The
company has constantly been spiralling
activities and new products ever since its
India presence in 2005.
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