According to Pankaj Kalra, director, Dimple Packaging, the company has been upgrading its production facility — from upgrading existing equipment with latest technology to adding new equipment — since 2010. The installation of the DGM folder-gluer is a part of that exercise.

“Our production is increasing day-by-day. If the pandemic had not happened we would have installed another DGM folder-gluer as well,” Kalra said. “The DGM folder-gluer is a good option with all advanced features. We are successfully using it for all our needs including straight line, crash lock bottom, CD/pocket, four- and six-corners jobs on it. We wanted to use this machine more for value added jobs like four/six-corner but its full utilisation is getting delayed because of the pandemic.”

Established in 1960, Dimple Packaging was established by Ram Ji Das. He was later joined by his son Jagdish Kalra. Today, the company is run by the third generation of Kalra brothers. Komal Kalra, the eldest, looks after entire business; Kapil Kalra looks after marketing and Pankaj Kalra is responsible for production.

From 2010, Dimple has added folder-gluers and die-cutters from Bobst; window-patching machines from H&S; Heidelberg six-colour UV with online coating printing press; KDX lamination machines; and semi- and fully-automatic machines for its corrugation unit. The rigid box production unit is equipped with five fully automatic lines from Zhongke and Zhengarun.

Dimple converts more than 500 tonnes of paper, kraft paper and packaging board in its 150,000-sqft constructed facility. Around 23 printing units of the company consume 100 printing plates in round-the-clock operations. The total area of the facility is six acres. The company employs around 400 people.

The Kalra brothers said they are happy with their decision to invest in the Smartfold 1100SL and that they are impressed with DGM’s professional approach.

“We work for FMCG and beverage companies and have specialisation in ghee and masala packaging,” Kalra said. “We are growing well and working towards doubling our production in the coming time. The pace of growth went down because of the current crisis. In our corrugation unit, we produce E, F and narrow flutes.”

Kalra said the company’s automation exercise will continue as manual operation doesn’t produce quality at fast speed. “We have found that automation is the way to avoid labour problems and do quality production,” he added.