Arun Gandhi, the man who revolutionised CITO products in India dead at 56

After speaking to a close associate of the Gandhis, PrintWeek India has learnt that Arun Gandhi reached his office in Ranjit Nagar Commercial Complex in Patel Nagar in New Delhi on 12 May. As was his wont, he was sorting out “a technical issue about a corrugation box job after punching”.

All of a sudden, he lost his consciousness and collapsed. The office boy tried to revive him with water but his condition deteriorated. Then Arun’s partner, also Arun Gandhi, took him to the hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

The news has sent shock waves in the print industry, especially since he had no medical history of BP or blood sugar, nor any medical complaints. Arun Gandhi was 56.

Arun, along with his partner Arun Gandhi, spread the good word about CITO creasing systems to Indian converters. Today, the German-based firm is a diecutting and creasing leader in India because of the time the team at Capital Graphic Supplies and AS Print Aids have invested in demystifying the process for the past 15 years.

Seniors in the industry recall how Gandhi travelled across the country and discussed creasing parameters. He would get into detailed discussions about what is preferable – cutting face up or face down. He would also discuss issues of cutting pressure and makeready technique (patch up). Plus, he would take great pains to explain the process of nicking and rubbering and its influence on cutting and trimming results.

Convincing customers, especially Indian converters, was an issue in the early days. Arun Gandhi said, “In the past 15 years, converters have started understanding the system, and are looking at it seriously.”

Apart from the world-famous creasing systems from CITO, the Gandhis have also championed the cause of Hunkeler, Buhrs, Tresu, etc.

Last week, when PrintWeek India received a query from a leading pharma company about the measurement of Braille on a product, I recalled Arun Gandhi because they have Cito Breye, a software which analyses the Braille dots and provides the height, the base diameter and the positioning of the dots. I was to contact him on 13 May in the morning, when I got the news.

The tributes have been pouring in. Mukul Luthra of Artize Die said, “Arun brought so many gifts to our packaging in the shape of material, machines and technology. He was a great mentor to me, and a gem to the Indian packaging industry.”

Whenever we met, we would say, “Mr Gandhi, time to host a workshop about creasing matrix and stripping systems for the team members of PrintWeek India in our Mumbai office.” And he would say, next time.

Speaking to PrintWeek India, a senior print CEO said, “His demise is a huge loss for the industry. He was a team player who was willing to impart technical knowledge about die-making and cutting process for folding boxes, packaging from corrugated board, and displays.”

RIP Arun Gandhi.

Industry pays homage to Arun Gandhi
The tributes have been pouring in for the man who revolutionised CITO products in India. Seven industry heads share their grief - and doff their hat - to a man who dedicated his life to the industry.

CJ Jassawala of Thomson Press
"I was really pained and shocked to read about Arun Gandhi’s sudden demise. He was so well known in the industry and among colleagues; his passing away is difficult to accept, especially considering his age. He was always smiling, humble, a very good human being and friend of everyone in our industry.”

Jassawala, added, “On behalf of Thomson Press, I express our deepest condolences to his family on this bereavement. May god give all the strength and courage to bear this loss and may his soul have everlasting peace in the kingdom of the almighty.” 

Ajit Diaz of Pio Printers
"I personally have interacted with Arun and found him to be a fine gentleman who had in-depth knowledge of cutting and creasing intricacies and also his zest for introducing highquality products in India. He always gives a patient hearing to our issues before giving his opinion about how to solve the problem. This is a great loss to the printing and packaging industry. We pray that the almighty gives the strength to his near and dear ones to bear this loss. May his soul rest in peace.”

Vinod Nawab of ParamERP Solutions India
"Great loss as a friend, as a mentor, and as a business leader. I was associated with him from early days of CITO launch in India. He visited every press personally and taught every technical issue to the shopfloor team. He conducted workshops in Indore to showcase the final outcome after using CITO products. He tried to convey, so many things to the packaging companies. He always encouraged me to bring my business to the global level. His vision was to share knowledge and educate the end user.”

Manish Jain at Options Printofast
"It is very sad news for the packaging industry. Arun Gandhi was a karama purush. I know him personally and I had started the business with him in 1996-97 and discovered a new thing in packaging called CITO creasing matrix. Even today, we are associated with his company for various products. May god give him peace and strength to his family for this huge loss.”

Amit Tara of Tara Art Printers
"I am deeply saddened by the news and I have always seen him smiling. We shared memorable moments during our visit to the Innovation Days in Switzerland and I have learnt a lot from him. May god bless his soul and give his family and friends the strength to cope with the loss. Please accept our heartfelt condolences.” 

Rohit Madan at R M Associates
"Quite shocked to hear about Arun's sudden and sad demise. RIP my friend. I will miss you.”

Biren Naykpura of Son N Naykpura
"My friend Arun made immense contributions to the packaging industry. During my long association with him, I have never failed to sense the dedication and hard work towards the art of die-making.”