The two speakers, Frank Adegeest from Esko and Jurgen Veil from KBA discussed issues like packaging supply chain, brand execution, productivity, innovation, UV techniques and how to innovate through print. Adegeest in his talk discussed trends in packaging which remains one of the most buoyant sectors of the print market. he said, "Esko's on-going partnership with Parksons signifies its evolvement into a "colour-focused" business with rapid advances in 3D visualisation software for packaging." 

He added, at the end of the day a tangible, colour accurate product is what every brand owner wants to see, and very likely always will; where structure meets graphics."

After the two presentations, Shailesh Poddar of DesignPark delivered a report on Parksons packaging's design and research centre and how it has created innovative designs and patented packaging solutions which will help accentuate and build a brand.trip.

He said, "To-date, the firm has 13 patent applications for packaging design in India plus 27 design registration applications."

During a Q&A session with the print buyers, Siddharth Kejriwal, executive director, Parksons Packaging, said, "Creating a brand and continuously enhancing its image is of prime importance for a long lasting success of every valued product. As the first medium of interaction with the consumer, packaging plays a critical role in this endeavour." 

Besides being a great networking opportunity with an array of packaging samples on display, the Parksons team discussed issues such as: Who buys packaging print and what do they want from suppliers? What technology do you need? Can packaging open up a bigger share of spend from existing clients? Where is the market heading?

The seminar doubled as a celebration of Parksons Packaging having made a technology investment in a six-colour KBA Rapida 106 with double coater which will be installed in 2013.

"Parksons now requires only one pass to print in six colours, seal and add a UV coat," KBA's Veil said. He added, "Today, brands aren’t seeking to revamp their look more frequently, they are, like everyone else, fast cottoning onto the idea of UV to create value addition through types of coatings. UV and added-value packaging is on the rise, with big-name brands in India already taking advantage."

The six-colour KBA Rapida 106 with double coater will be in addition to Parksons having purchased two Rapida 105 6-colour plus coater full UV presses for its plants in Chakan and Rudrapur.