Start-up leverages its label business

Pro Labels enters label printing with a new Gallus EM 280. The company started its operations in October 2013 in a three storey building equipped with all essential facilities and equipment for label printing and converting.
 

Puneet Jindal, managing director, Pro Labels, says, “We conducted a detailed study of the label market before our entry. It was not a random decision. We observed that the market is growing at 13–14% per annum. The current market trends and the expected foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi brand retail is expected to increase the growth further. India is becoming a manufacturing hub for many multinational companies. We see many growth opportunities in market segments like FMCG, personal care and cosmetics, liquor and beer segment. We also observed that many companies in North India are buying labels from West. We realised that this could be a good business opportunity for us.”
 

NK Verma, technical director, Pro Labels, explains, “Our study showed that most of the labels supplied to MNCs are printed on a Gallus narrow web flexo printing presses. Considering our policy and business strategy, Gallus as a technology partner was an easy choice. The excellent print quality, fast and easy changeover, consistency of printing and converting, very low wastages, reliable after sales service and detailed know how on label application were other factors supporting our decision of buying Gallus EM 280. The configuration of eight-colour UV and hot air, screen printing facility along with hot foil, 2-die cutting station and conveyor gives us the flexibility of catering business segment like FMCG, personal care and cosmetics, liquor and beer segment, pharma, security labels and others.”
 

Pro Label management team attended training sessions organised in the knowledge centre at Bengaluru. Jindal further says, “The knowledge centre provided education and training to us and give the opportunity to share best practices.” Pro label basis its customer focus on three important parameters – top quality of labels, quick turnaround from the moment the order is received till delivery of the labels and consulting approach. The company understands print buyer’s requirements and working proactively towards deriving solution which can satisfy the customer’s needs to the fullest. 
 

Jindal himself is a designer by education from NIFT, further says, “My experience and education helps me in visualising and explaining the design concepts to the print buyers.  And Verma’s rich experience in printing and processing helps Pro Labels to deliver the labels fulfilling brand owners requirement of best decoration possible with minimum cost effect.”
 

“Way of life and working culture are changing very fast. For example, see the increment in number of working women in the country— it is growing fast. Ultimately, this increment is increasing market for cosmetics products and packaged raw material and packaged ready-to-eat food. Thus, we see a solid growth because this trend will increase day-by-day. As the number of products and their quantities increase,” Jindal further says.
 

He adds, “We were planning for this venture from last few years but due to some unavoidable reasons we could not start it. There is not a single industry which does not require labels; Indian industrialisation is not at its peak. So opportunities are huge. As the MNCs will enter the country the demand of labels will increase rapidly.”
 

Verma concludes, “In future we will opt for a narrow web flexo printing press for shorter-runs. Quality production with economic prices and timely delivery are the key factors that help you sustain a business.” 

Fact File Pro Labels is a start-up by a Ludhiana-based business family. Puneet Jindal, his mother and NK Verma are directors in the company. When asked why MNCs will give order to Indian printers, NK Verma replies, “When any MNC enters a new market, it requires locally made components; and label is one of them. Being a local vendor is an advantage for us. Everyone requires quality products and it is a combination of best printing press, designing, pre-press work, infrastructure – which we already have, and will be upgrading along with the demand,”