Jaipur calling for CEOs of label industry

 

The three-day conference, hosted by the Label Manufacturers Association of India (LMAI), was inaugurated yesterday, 16 July. Guraraj Ballarwad, chairman of the conference committee and RL Deshpande along with other committee members, did the honours amid much fanfare. The function saw high-profile participation running to 450, including top CEOs of label print companies, label making equipment manufacturers and suppliers.

 

Vivek Kapoor, president of LMAI, welcomed the delegates who had come from across the globe. He set the tone for the event when he said, “I am thrilled at the sheer number of attendees, and I thank you all for coming here, despite the weather conditions.”

 

Kapoor added, “The previous editions of the LMAI conference, held in Goa, have been very popular. The conference’s growth has served to unite the member of the label industry into a supportive and powerful voice.”

 

The day, 16 July 2015 also marked the thirteenth anniversary of the association. “The LMAI was registered as an organisation on this day in the year 2002,” he said. “From 65 in the years 2002-04 to 295 in 2015 it has not only grown in numbers but also created a strong financial position."

 

The two objectives of the conference, Kapoor said, were to challenge and break out of the typical paradigm traps and to increase the bonding among the label fraternity.

 

Jitesh Mehta, marketing director at Avery Dennison, delivered the key-note address. “It’s no secret that the eyes of the world are on India. And as India’s economy forges ahead, so does the aspects of consumerism, which is making India a hotbed of growth for our industry.”

 

Emerging technologies are bursting into the market and are generating disruption and change. Mehta said drones, driverless cars, 3D printing, mobile, and cloud were the realities of 2015. These and challenges such as- sustainability, rising and volatile cost pressures, and the cost of compliance and regulations, pose as a hindrance to the industry’s growth. “It is necessary to have a new paradigm based on multi-disciplinary approach involving close collaboration among the members who form our brilliant eco-system.”

 

Mehta concluded by quoting John Kennedy – Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. “Don’t miss the exciting future that is unfolding before our eyes. Embrace the promising opportunities to create a prosperous future.”

 

The inaugural function culminated with an entertainment programme performed by local artists, the theme of which was Padharo Mare Des, followed by dinner.

 

The next two days will see a slew of manufacturers and suppliers making presentations on topics ranging from substrates to sustainability, standardisation to profitable innovation, and trends and challenges, among others.