Industry members pay tribute to Ashok Nerker

Print is mourning the passing of veteran Ashok Nerker, the owner of Unique Photo Offset and part of Gulf Scan, who died peacefully on 11 March.  

Shrihari Rao, president of AMESA (Africa, Middle East & South Asia) at EPL, fondly recalled his many interactions with Nerker, highlighting the memories they created together. 

“Ashok Sir was a man of solid conviction in everything he pursued,” Rao said, noting Nerker's forward-thinking approach to pre-press systems and workflows. Their discussions often revolved around the intricacies of graphic tools, particularly the contrasts between Windows and Mac-based solutions. Rao expressed admiration for Nerker's embodiment of a graphics expert with a Mac-centric mindset. "It is no surprise that Artpro solutions were the best when I was pitching PackEdge and DeskPack from Esko."

Despite never purchasing anything directly, Nerker always made time for Rao, demonstrating his eagerness to stay informed about developments in the industry and explore insights. Their meetings, often accompanied by shared moments over chai and vada pav, were cherished experiences. "Through these interactions, I gained invaluable knowledge from this exceptionally practical individual," Rao reflected.

Suhas Kulkarni, country head at Soma India, also shared his heartfelt memories. Recalling a visit to their college in 1992, shortly after the establishment of Gulf Scan, Kulkarni noted Nerker's straightforward manner during a pre-interview session with students. "He made it clear that he needed 'commandos' who were ready to embark on a mission for the company." This candid approach was emblematic of Nerker 's character, as was his remarkable attention to detail during Kulkarni's time at DuPont, where they collaborated on Cyrel and Digital Cromalin.

Kulkarni described Nerker as a guiding light in the flexo pre-press sector, known for his unwavering confidence and ability to navigate the industry's complexities. “He never shied away from telling the truth, whether addressing a vice president of a major multinational corporation or the owner of a prominent label printing company," he said.

With a profound understanding of the nuances of pre-press across gravure, offset, and flexo processes, Nerker's legacy will undoubtedly endure within the industry. As Kulkarni concluded, "Om shanti. My heartfelt prayers go out to this remarkable individual who generously shared his extensive knowledge and wisdom with the industry."

Also read Ramu Ramanathan's heartfelt tribute: Ashok Nerker, the prince of pre-press passes away