PrintPack 2025: Multivista finalises Bindwel’s Freedom5K Binder

Over the past two decades, Multivista has established itself as a pioneer in environmentally friendly printing practices. The company operates a state-of-the-art integrated printing unit in Chennai, specialising in the production of soft and hardcover books. Multivista's dedication to quality and sustainability is evidenced by its ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications, reflecting its adherence to international standards in quality management and environmental stewardship. 

Additionally, Multivista is FSC:COC-certified; UNGC-certified; EcoVadis rated for sustainability audit/ ISO 14001 accredited and Sedex audited for Ethical trade practices. Multvista is the first book printer in India to have been recognised by SBTI (Science based Target Initiative) for committing to reduce its scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 28%.

Multivista has embarked on an ambitious expansion plan, reinforcing its reputation as a leading exporter of high-quality books from India. A key part of this growth strategy is the installation of an eight-colour sheetfed offset press, expected to be operational by March 2025. The company’s next step was to strengthen its bindery capabilities, ensuring that books printed in-house meet the stringent quality standards of publishing houses.

After an extensive evaluation of competing binding technologies, Multivista’s leadership found their answer in Bindwel’s Freedom5K — an adaptable perfect binder that can seamlessly scale up to a full-fledged Bindline in the near future. 

“We started our binding section with Bindwel (formerly Welbound), and their machines are still running in our factory today,” said Karthik Ravi, director of Multivista. “But what convinced us to invest in the Freedom5K today is how Bindwel has evolved — from a domestic leader in bookbinding solutions to a technology-driven company that now competes with the best from Europe.”

Before making the investment, Multivista’s team conducted a rigorous assessment of Bindwel’s capabilities, including in-depth product evaluation – reviewing the Freedom5K's engineering, features, and long-term scalability; factory visits – examining Bindwel’s manufacturing processes and quality control measures at their Bengaluru facility and customer site visits – studying Freedom5K installations at leading Indian print houses to assess real-world performance.

“As an export-driven business, our biggest priority is consistent, high-quality output,” Ravi explained. “Every book we bind must meet international standards and pass stringent quality checks. Our team met Bindwel customers, reviewed their production quality, and saw firsthand how the Freedom5K was performing on the shop floor. That sealed our decision.”

The Multivista-Bindwel collaboration also had a deeper significance for Kai Buentemeyer, who spent decades at the helm of Kolbus before joining Bindwel’s board.

“Walking into Multivista’s plant in Chennai was a moment of déjà vu,” said Buentemeyer. “I was here two decades ago, as CEO of Kolbus, when Multivista installed its first high-end German bindery. Now, as part of Bindwel, I see India building its own world-class bookbinding technology, which can compete with anything Europe offers. That’s a major shift.”

Having spent decades shaping the bookbinding industry, Buentemeyer sees Bindwel as a company that has the potential to bridge the gap between European precision engineering and Indian cost-efficiency.

“Multivista’s evaluation process was as meticulous as any European printer’s,” he noted. “They examined every detail, every component, and every real-world case study before making their decision. Their confidence in Bindwel is not just a win for us—it’s a testament to how Indian technology has matured.”

For Bindwel, this is another step toward cementing its position as a bookbinding technology provider. For Multivista, this investment ensures that its books will continue to meet the highest international standards while benefiting from the support, scalability, and cost advantages of an Indian manufacturing partner.

“This is more than just an order — it’s the beginning of a new era for Indian bookbinding,” Buentemeyer concluded. “We are no longer just competing with Europe. We are setting the benchmarks ourselves.”

Indian-made binding technology is now competing with European giants, proving its ability to meet the rigorous demands of export-driven print businesses. More print houses are recognising the value of localised support and scalable technology, making Indian solutions a viable alternative to expensive European imports. With orders from Multivista and Repro India, eight out of the top 10 book printer exporters from India will have one thing in common: the Bindline being their main bookbinding equipment. The demand for high-quality, export-ready book production is growing, fueling investments in advanced printing and binding technology. And to have new equipment with after-sales support and easy availability of parts is the need of the hour.