Prashant Atre: In 2021, we will continue to focus on the packaging segment

2020 in review
Some of the businesses will permanently see a change. For example, commercial printing, textbook, stationery and newspapers will perhaps find it very difficult to revive their business numbers. As flexible packaging during the pandemic has grown by almost 15%, we may see new investments in 2021.

Carton packaging segment is a mixed bag. While some of the product segments are doing extremely well, others like luxury packaging are badly impacted. Therefore, we have not seen much investment in 2020, barring add-on equipments in post-printing operations by commercial printers who plan to shift their focus to cartons.

Doing business during pandemic
We largely serve the packaging segment. Therefore, the recovery was much faster. The business in April and May was really low, but now, the volumes are near-normal. However, we anticipate yet another dip in numbers in December due to increased cases of infection. Apart from the business figures, it was important for us to keep our employees safe.

Plans for 2021
In 2021, we will continue to focus on the packaging segment. Today’s packaging is just not for product protection but it is an engaging medium between the brand and the consumer and it is essential to bring exciting ideas to packaging. We have lined up some exciting products for both carton and flexible packaging in 2021.

Most popular kit in 2020
We are synonymous with UV inks and varnishes. Therefore, our hot selling products continues to be UV offset inks and a wide range of texture varnishes to suit variety of patterns within texture effects.

Investment stories
Many of our customers were looking for Drupa 2020 as an opportunity to finalise their machine(s), but this pandemic has disrupted their plans. Also many of our customers’ funds got consumed on salaries and other fixed cost during the lockdown and now, their first priority is to bring back positive P&L in FY 2020-21. However, some of our customers did go ahead with their plans and got deliveries of their machine in Q3, which were originally scheduled for Q1.