MUPS should be able to touch Rs 200-cr in 2014

What is the MUPS structure?

We are integrating Utility to our packaging business. This would be a subsidiary of Manipal Technologies called Manipal Utility Print Packaging Solutions (MUPPS). The management structure rests with Manipal Technologies. The idea is, Utility are strong with their innovative capabilities for product development and designing. We think that with Manipal’s management capabilities we can take it a step forward. There would be a good mix of focus on domestic as well as exports. In the packaging segment, for 2014, we should be able to touch Rs 200 crore.

 

Does this re-arrange the alignment within the group?

Earlier packaging was a division of Manipal Tech-nologies. The idea is to bring more focus to it, therefore we have made it a separate subsidiary. We are holding other packaging assets like our African operations from that subsidiary. The intention is to scale up what Utility has been doing in the fragrance and value added space and to achieve the same amount of depth in segments like pharma etc and gain leadership in each packaging sectors.

 

What about Nigeria?

Nigeria operations will be a subsidiary of Manipal Technologies. It would be focusing on the label segments. The operations will commence with two Gallus lines in June.

 

What about the developments in the security printing business?
Last year we had a 22% growth in the security printing business. The UID and voter card printing contributed to around 20 crores business. Lot of the growth was driven by the credit and debit cards and the banking industry. 

We recently setup a company called Manipal Business Solutions and this has scaled up last year. Currently we are setting up a business for payment systems switching. We will be handling the payments, switching of the bank accounts. So Manipal Technologies has evolved a lot beyond print and packaging.

How are all these integrated with print?
When we look at Manipal Tehnologies, the whole security printing business has evolved into specifically two things, transactions and identity. Now, identity can be in paper form, plastic form, electronic form where you are doing biometrics. So we cover the whole range. Same with the money, it can be a currency note, a cheque, a mobile phone, so everything to do with payments, we are focusing on irrespective of what form or technology is being used.    

What’s happening in the publishing industry?
We are not seeing any decline for publishing in India. But it is getting more and more competitive.