Printers and publishers brainstorm over book production

Subhasis Ganguli, the publishing veteran and Ramu Ramanathan, editor,PrintWeek India, moderated the discussion that laid the foundation towards confirming the challenges, identifying the solutions and quantifying the benefits.

As educational publisher Harper Collins India’s managing director, NS Krishna said, "We can predict certain market share and have forecast at the beginning of the year unlike trade books. Quick turnaround time and cost are very crucial when it comes to academic books,” added Krishna.

Nandan Kumar Jha of Penguin Random House, said, “There is still going to be a lot of demand for print publishing. We are seeing more than 100% growth in the eBook sales but the numbers are still in single digit. The lost opportunity is that if we do not deliver books in time, people will buy eBooks. We have experienced this in the case of books that are nominated for or have won international acclaims.”

As the publishers curtail the number of empanelled printers, print CEOs confirmed that they also are comfortable working with fewer publishers provided the volumes are committed.

Amila Singhvi, founder and director of International Print-O-Pac, said that her company serviced three publishers in the current year as compared to 21 publishers in the previous year.

Analysing the vexed issue of best practices, C J Jassawalla, executive director – printing, Thomson Press, explained the four-year process of synergising the conflicting goals of various departments in the company to one common goal and converting the very culture of Thomson Press and making it reliable partner for its customers.

The 90-minute closed-door Roundtable was attended by more than 35 delegates.

To read the complete report subscribe to PrintWeek India’s March issue.