Print’s 2024 gains set the stage for 2025’s PrintWeek Power players — The Noel D’Cunha Sunday Column

The printing and packaging world is at a crossroads — sustainability pressures, digital disruption, and shifting consumer demands are rewriting the rulebook. Yet, as 2024’s reflections reveal, the industry’s leaders are not just adapting; they’re thriving. From double-digit growth to groundbreaking eco-innovations, PrintWeek's 2025 edition of Power 100, launched this week, will rank the trailblazers steering this multi-billion Rupee sector into a bold new decade. With financial milestones like Parksons Packaging’s INR 2,000-crore turnover and TCPL Packaging’s INR 400-crore quarterly haul, the stakes — and the stories — are higher than ever.

Growth against the odds
Despite a tricky macroeconomic backdrop, 2024 was a year of grit and gains. Akshay Kanoria, executive director of TCPL Packaging, sums it up: “We achieved significant growth in both volume and value terms.” Kanoria’s firm smashed a record in Q2FY25, raking in over INR 400-crore in a single quarter —a first for the Indian giant. Meanwhile, Chetan Jain of Taurus Packaging beams with pride over “double-digit growth,” bolstered by a new plant and a soon-to-launch CI flexo machine. Jain’s numbers aren’t just stats; they’re proof of an industry defying muted demand and oversupply woes, as Ramesh Kejriwal of Parksons Packaging notes, with his firm hitting INR 2,000-crore in turnover despite “limited demand growth and margin pressures.”

For some, growth came through strategic diversification. Sahil Rao of Unbox, for instance, saw turnover leap by INR 4.5-crore thanks to investments in semi-automatic machinery tailored for luxury packaging. “This approach allowed us to reduce labour-intensive processes while maintaining flexibility for both large and small orders,” Rao explains.

It’s a nimble response to a market where high-volume orders coexist with bespoke, short-run demands — a duality the 2025 edition of Power 100 will scrutinise closely. Rao’s focus on premium finishing over brute automation reflects a calculated play to capture the high-margin luxury segment, sidestepping the commoditised mass market.

Elsewhere, Aaron Rego of Brilliant Printers delivered a 34% year-on-year revenue surge, fuelled by new teams and advanced book printing tech. “We set ambitious goals and hit them,” Rego says, a testament to how calculated risks can pay off even in a sluggish consumption climate. Rego’s success ties into a broader trend of Indian printers seizing global opportunities, as he notes: “Customers worldwide are seeking options outside their existing print partners.” This export-driven growth underscores a shift that the 2025 edition of Power 100 will weigh heavily — resilience isn’t just about surviving at home, but thriving abroad.

Across the board, leaders like Kashyap Purohit of Surya Group leaned on tailored sales strategies to keep the tills ringing. “Our focus on dedicated account management across conventional, digital, and AI-driven platforms supported revenue growth,” Purohit says. 

Transitioning from traditional printing to Document Life Cycle Management, Purohit tapped into a niche that blends service with scale — a move that cushioned Surya against the year’s demand dips.

Similarly, Sahil Shah of Letra Graphix entered 2024 with a resolve to bolster core capabilities, streamlining processes via partial ERP adoption. “We focused on digital engagement and advanced security features in our labelling solutions,” Shah notes, a move that steadied growth amidst market turbulence. The 2025 edition of Power 100 will probe how such strategic pivots fuel progress in a tough landscape.

Sustainability takes centre stage
If 2024 had a buzzword, it was sustainability — and the 2025 edition of Power 100 will spotlight those making it real. “Sustainability is not just a trend but a necessity,” insists Kejriwal, whose Parksons Packaging ramped up solar power and plastic-replacement solutions. Over at Brilliant Printers, Rego slashed Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 47%, targeting a 75% cut in 2025 with solar boosts and retrofitted tech. Anuj Bhargava of Kumar Labels isn’t far behind, rolling out PSA labels that are 90% circular. “We expect to scale these in larger quantities,” Bhargava says, hinting at a 2025 game-changer.

Vishwamdev Bhotica of SAPCO took a holistic approach, installing solar roofs and pushing water-based barrier coatings as polyethylene alternatives. “Sustainability is a holistic endeavour for us,” Bhotica asserts, reflecting a shift away from metallised polyester and plastic that’s reshaping client expectations. It’s a move mirrored by Nitin Shah of Awards Offset & Packaging, whose EPR-compliant factories are churning out biodegradable solutions. “Clients prioritise eco-friendly designs,” Shah notes, a trend driving R&D across the sector. Shah’s investment in a high-speed window patching machine with inline printing shows how sustainability can marry with functionality, meeting eCommerce’s demand for durable, green packaging.

At Letra Graphix, Shah tackled sustainability with a nuanced lens, pursuing recyclable and biodegradable substrates while weighing lifecycle impacts. “While paper is often seen as ‘greener,’ PP or PET can sometimes be more efficient from a holistic perspective,” he explains, advocating a tailored approach over blind trends. Shah’s team cut waste and energy use in 2024, with plans to deepen CSR efforts in 2025. “We’re dedicated to educating our customers about sustainable options,” he adds, embedding green practices across the value chain through eco-conscious sourcing—a pragmatic stance the 2025 edition of Power 100 will value.

Hitech Print Systems’ B Manoharan took a different tack, adopting process-free offset plates and a 70KVA solar system in Andhra Pradesh. “These measures are steps towards a greener future,” Manoharan remarks, while a vermicompost initiative turns waste into a resource — a small but symbolic win.

From the Kapurs’ energy-efficient HVAC upgrades at JK Labels to Jain’s recyclable substrates at Taurus, the sustainability wave is broad and deep. The 2025 edition of Power 100 will rank those not just talking the talk, but walking it with tangible, scalable impact.

Tech titans transform the trade
Digitalisation and automation are no longer optional — they’re the backbone of tomorrow’s print leaders. “Automation is at the core of our business,” says Rego, whose Brilliant Printers leaned on ERP systems and machine learning to notch a 34% revenue jump in 2024. Himanshu, Rahul, and Karan Kapur of JK Labels echo this, blending cutting-edge machinery with skilled labour. “We give equal importance to both.” The Kapurs’ approach at JK Labels keeps quality high in a tech-driven world. At Printmann Group, Tejas and Ankit Tanna spotlight “smart replacements” via tech upgrades, while the Tannas’ innovations set a benchmark. Purohit bets big on AI-driven platforms and blockchain tracking at Surya.

Manoharan exemplifies this tech pivot, rolling out blockchain QR codes for university degrees — a hit with two institutions already on board. “The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” he says, proving tech can solve niche problems with mass appeal. Manoharan’s nine-colour Rotatek Machine for secure stationery and high-speed inkjet for OMR sheets show how targeted tech can dominate sectors like education, where digital on-screen marking is surging. It’s a lesson in precision that the 2025 edition of Power 100 will note.

Shah at Letra Graphix harnessed hybrid printing solutions to meet demands for speed and personalisation, driven by trends like NFC and QR codes. “We streamlined processes through partial ERP implementation,” he says, cutting paper use and boosting data accuracy — early wins that pave the way for a full rollout in 2025. “Fully integrating ERP will help us improve supply chain management and make faster, data-driven decisions,” Shah predicts, a step that promises to sharpen efficiency and green credentials alike — an angle the 2025 edition of Power 100 will scrutinise.

Even grassroots tech made a mark — Rao credits WhatsApp for team sync at Unbox, while cloud apps cut repeat-order times. “Over 90% of our new clients come through digital channels,” he says, tying growth to SEO and social media savvy. Purohit’s blockchain-enabled tracking at Surya boosts traceability in a paper-ePaper hybrid world. The 2025 edition of Power 100 will dissect these varied tech plays, from AI to everyday apps, spotlighting who’s rewriting the operational playbook.

Navigating a competitive storm
It’s not all smooth sailing — oversupply, price wars, and supply chain jitters loom large. “The risk of self-destruction is real as companies prioritise being the cheapest,” warn the Tannas at Printmann, a sentiment echoed by the Kapurs. “Bottom lines have plummeted to unsustainable levels.”

Yet resilience shines through.

Rao, boosting Unbox turnover by INR 4.5-crore, thrives by targeting premium clients who value quality over cut-rate deals. Shah at Awards Offset & Packaging, armed with a K&B seven-colour press and robotic systems, sees 2025 as a chance to “leverage economies of scale.”

The Kapurs also point to market saturation from cheap Chinese and Indian machines, forcing established players to rethink strategy. “New entrants are disrupting prices,” they lament, yet JK Labels holds firm with SEDEX 7.0 certification and export compliance. Bhargava consolidated Kumar Labels geographically for a 12-15% revenue bump. “Customers want ease at the lowest rates,” he says, a challenge met by streamlining rather than slashing prices — a tension Shah at Letra Graphix knows well. “We want to ensure our customers can choose smart materials without compromising profitability,” Shah says, balancing eco-demands with margins in a cutthroat market.

Kejriwal faced a similar squeeze at Parksons, with “lower demand and oversupply” hitting margins. His roll-fed flexo tech and Tanzania plant expansion show a long game — global reach over local scraps. Shah eyes proactive tech adoption like hybrid printing to tackle rising costs and faster turnarounds in 2025. “Collaboration and mutual growth are essential for operational resilience,” he stresses, banking on supplier partnerships to weather the storm — a strategy the 2025 edition of Power 100 will judge closely.

Eyes on 2025: Optimism meets ambition
The road to 2025 is paved with cautious hope. “Every year is better than the last,” asserts Kanoria, eyeing the new Chennai unit and margin gains. Jain predicts “a year of awakening,” with brands shifting to sustainable substrates like PETG. The Tannas forecast “robust double-digit growth” at Printmann, buoyed by their Pakcellence subsidiary’s plastic-busting Gable Top. Even amid challenges, 

Manoharan sees opportunity: “The technology landscape is advancing rapidly, enabling us to deliver more value.”

Jain’s HIP Framework at Taurus — offering high-quality shrink sleeves at low volumes — already “changed the market completely” in 2024, a bold play set to expand next year. “It shifts power to those ready to innovate,” he says, targeting FMCG’s underserved innovators. Rego plans to double down on automation and global supply chains at Brilliant Printers, aiming for ISO 14001 and 45001 certifications — a sustainability-profitability combo. “We’re building resilience,” he asserts, a goal shared across the sector.

Shah at Letra Graphix sets his sights on a full ERP rollout, targeting a 70-80% paper usage cut, alongside lean manufacturing and advanced machinery investments. “We’ll strike a balance between innovation and cost control,” he says, prepping for regulatory hurdles and raw material cost spikes in 2025. Kejriwal, though, tempers optimism: “Unless demand revives, competitive pressures will bite.” The 2025 edition of Power 100 will rank these leaders by their ability to turn cautious hope into concrete wins, spotlighting ambition grounded in execution.

Who will top the list?
From financial heavyweights to sustainability pioneers, the 2025 edition of Power 100 will distil the essence of leadership in a sector on the cusp of reinvention. With the survey online now, this is your chance to see who’s shaping the USD 20.41-billion print and packaging market in India. Expect pointed analysis, special insights, and a ranking that celebrates not just survival, but ascendancy.

Stay tuned — because in this game, the future belongs to the fearless.

Cast your vote now! Click here.