Swifts Offset was founded by Shri Appasaheb Marathe, in 1955. Marathe was a humble refugee from Karachi, who went on to steer Swifts in its early years
In its early days, the company manufactured industrial lanterns for the merchant navy
Swifts was an OEM supplier for
Premier Automobiles (PAL). In the picture is PAL's then chairman Seth Lalchand Hirachand Doshi (r) with the Swifts team
Marathe (l) demonstrating Swifts-manufactured automobile parts to Seth Lalchand Hirachand Doshi (r)
Team Swifts in the early 60s. In 1963, Swifts shifted to its independent premises in the heart of Mumbai at Marathe Udyog Bhavan, Prabhadevi
Marathe showcasing Traub machining centre to the visiting politicians
The Traub machine was the backbone of Swifts manufacturing excellence
It was in 1972 that Swifts manufactured its first mini offset printing machine, the Swifts 150 - an alternative to traditional letterpress
The New Prabhadevi Road was renamed as Appasaheb Marathe Marg in 1974 commemorating the visionary business leader
The second generation of the Marathe family, Sureshbhau Marathe (second from the right) showing the Swifts 150 to a leading businessman of the time
The launch of the Swifts 150 was considered so pioneering that in 1979, the Government of India honoured Swifts by awarding the prestigious President's Import Substitution Award. In the picture is the then union minister, George Fernandes, handing over the award to Sureshbhau Marathe
The then union minister, George Fernandes examining print samples produced on the Swifts 150
Sureshbhau Marathe shared a close rapport with Mohan Dharia (l) (former Union minister) and Vasant Gadgil, a world-renowned Sanskrit scholar and a Marathe family well-wisher
Swifts'plate making equipment (it was discontinued later)
Sureshbhau Marathe with his close aide Rajabhau Kelkar
Team Swifts with a technical officer from Canada as part of the inter-governmental exchange program of the time
Swifts stall at a printing exhibition
In 1986, Swifts set up a manufacturing unit at Nashik in Maharashtra
Team Swifts in the early 1990s
Swifts team at the PrintPack India in 1998. Swifts joined hands with AM Multigraphics USA in a bid to jointly manufacture the famous Multilith 1250 machines in India
In the new millenium, Swifts launched a promotion campaign with the introduction of a demo van
After a spell of over 34 years, Swifts re-opened its ancillary division and became an OEM supplier for Goss International. Swifts team with the technical team of Goss International in 2006. At the centre is Vasant Marathe, the third generation in the family
Vasant Marathe (r) in tech-talks with Goss' experts
Today, Swifts is driven by the father-son duo of Vasant Marathe(l) and Om Marathe (r)
At PrintPack 2015, Swifts introduced the VDP series of variable data printing machines, a new avenue for the small offset press maker
On 12 April 2015, Swifts celebrated its Diamond Jubilee at its headquarters in Nashik amidst a gathering of more than 100 clients, dealers and staff
The high point of the function was the showcasing of the Swifts VDP series of machines, which, according to Om Marathe, will now form a formidable part of Swifts portfolio
The fourth generation of Marathe family, Om Marathe said: “The VDP series will cater to a wide variety of applications requiring mass customisation."
This one of its kind kit uses offset machine construction with digital piezo electric printheads installed across the width of the roller. “The user is free to choose one printhead and adjust it along the width of the paper to decide the print area. Otherwise, there is an option of installing multiple printheads across the width of the paper to print anywhere on the sheet without adjusting the heads,” informed Marathe.
Swifts’ 60 years - A new beginning
Swifts Offset celebrated its Diamond Jubilee on 12 April 2015 at its headquarters in Nashik. This marked the entry of Marathe family’s fourth generation, Om Marathe, into the business.
PrintWeek India takes a stroll down memory lane with rare pictures of Swifts' growth since 1955