‘IPAMA needs to enter
new phase of activities’
-says Satish Bajwa, immediate past general secretary and currently
vice president (North) of IPAMA, in conversation with SK Khurana, editor-P&P
New building of IPAMA.
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Satish Bajwa
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Founded in the year 1991 as an independent organisation serving the needs of the printing, packaging and allied industry in a rapidly changing marketplace, Indian Printing, Packaging and Allied Machinery Manufacturers' Association (IPAMA) is now all set to enter a new phase of activities, with new team of office bearers for the term 2012-2014 and its brand new own office building in Noida. “Now the stage has come to start the drive of over the year programmes, through which much more can be delivered by IPAMA to its members and the industry at large,” conveyed Satish Bajwa.
No doubt, during the past two decades of its existence, this apex body in its domain has remained dedicated to the development of Indian printing, packaging and allied industries, especially through holding Printpack India exhibitions, but the last two years witnessed several milestones, be it organizing the largest Printpack India show, establishing IPAMA's Administrative Block / proposed Training Centre and international cooperation initiatives. The new office building of IPAMA now offers plenty of space to its members and others to showcase their equipments live specially the lighter machines as a short term demo activity.
“In the initial years of IPAMA, our activities were very limited due to various obstacles. Our members don’t prefer to provide the data concerning their turnover, manpower, and export vs domestic figures, which become constraints in precise planning and representation to the government authorities. Despite all these with the collective efforts, we have marked several accomplishments during the past two years,” mentioned Bajwa, with a feeling of satisfaction, while answering a specific question in this regard.
“Spreading over 45,000 sq m area, Printpack India 2011 was the largest printing show ever held in India, with 417 participants, attracting around 50,000 visitors. With increasing coordination with Asia Print and Global Print, international fraternity have started recognizing IPAMA. In the next Printpack India, Asia Print may plan to organise specific participation by China and other countries to opt for a dedicated hall. And with this initiative small machinery manufacturers in India will be able to see their machines closely, study and discuss for collaboration with them,” explained Bajwa.
On asking about the expectations from the new team of office bearers, he said, “Now, the time has come when IPAMA can start a new phase of activities, giving priorities to take advantages of the Government of India schemes under Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises; beginning membership drive to add various prospects; further increasing international cooperation; promoting research and development, etc.” Though there are 200+ members in IPAMA, but only about 125 remains active formally. Presently, ten percent members belong to newspaper segment, while there are around 200 companies supplying ancillary products to newspaper machinery manufacturers, some of them may also be included as members, taking IPAMA’s strength to over three hundred,” concluded Bajwa, wishing very best to the new team at IPAMA.
