Breaking news: Skanem marks an entry in India with Interlabels alliance

Skanem, one of Europe's largest suppliers of self adhesive labels, has bought 51% shares of the Indian labelling giant Interlabels marking its entry into India through which it will provide services to the growing market of South Asia along with its factory in Bangkok, Thailand.

23 Feb 2012 | By PrintWeek India

Bhavin Kothari, managing director of Interlabels said, “We believe this alliance with a global leader like Skanem will help ensure a continual strong focus on innovations and leadership in the South Asian region.”
 
Owner and CEO of Skanem, Ole Rugland explains that during the process of finding a partner in India, the importance of the company culture was emphasised. ”Interlabels is a professional company with great experience in handling demanding customers and complex orders. It has a strong knowledge base, which will be extremely useful for the corporation in India, as well as for Skanem Group worldwide. By partnering with a company that matches Skanen’s corporate culture, we will strengthen the group’s overall vision and strategy.”
 
Kothari further explains the strong synergies between the two companies: “The product range and customer profiles of both companies are quite similar. We also believe that Skanem’s global presence and expertise combined with Interlabels's local experience and coverage will make the venture a formidable force in the Indian label industry.”
 
Skanem was founded in 1905 in Norway and Ole Rugland, the present owner and CEO, acquired the company in 1986. Skanem today has 11 production sites in eight countries with over 1,000 employees in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Russia and Thailand.
 
Interlabels is a leader of label printing in India with multi-locational plants in Chennai, Vasai (Mumbai), Baddi and Kolkata as well as a factory in Nairobi, Kenya and a large customer reach.

Recently, Interlabels opted for fifth Gidue M1 narrow web flexo press at its plant in Vasai.
 
Interlabels exports to Middle East, East Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.