Samir Patkar discusses the impact of Gallus sale deal on India operation

Heidelberg has decided that it will focus on its core business of sheetfed printing. As a result, the company will sell the Gallus Group to the Swiss packaging business to Benpac Holding, headquartered in Stans, Switzerland.

In this conversation, Samir Patkar, president at Heidelberg in India, discusses with PrintWeek, what the Gallus deal means for the Indian labellers

29 Jul 2020 | By Noel D'Cunha

Patkar: Heidelberg India shall continue to support Gallus portfolio as always

How does this realignment affect the Indian label manufacturers?
Despite this structural change, there will not be any impact on our day-to-day business. Heidelberg India shall continue to support Gallus portfolio as always with new Gallus label press investments and after-sales support including parts and service.

What about service support for Gallus customers?
Heidelberg team will continue to handle your service calls, installations, training or any other service requirements.

What about sales of new Gallus label press and other sales-related queries?
As always, you can simply get in touch with our Heidelberg India sales team, they are available at your service, with reliable solutions. Additionally, Narendra Kulkarni, regional product manager (Asia Pacific), is also responsible for Gallus equipment sales in India.

Inauguration of Gallus Labelmaster at ADIKC in December 2019

There are over 100 Gallus equipment in India, and perhaps that many service contracts. Will there be any change?
All the existing service contracts shall remain valid and will be honoured as they are.

For Gallus spare parts requirements?
The procedure for ordering parts will remain the same. Please contact our Heidelberg India regional offices or send us an email at parts.india@heidelberg.com.

And finally, last year in December, Heidelberg Gallus replaced the ECS 340 at the Avery Dennison Innovation and Knowledge Centre (ADIKC) in Pune with the Labelmaster 440. What happens there?
The Gallus Labelmaster 440 press installed at Avery Dennison Innovation and Knowledge Centre shall continue to support all necessary training and knowledge sharing sessions jointly operated by Heidelberg India and Avery Dennison as before.