Prodon's Jehangir Surti on winning the PWI Book Printer of the Year Award

PrintWeek India Awards night, celebrated on 2 October, saw eight categories throw up a new name. One, in the Book Printer of the Year category, being Prodon Enterprises.

Tanvi Parekh interacts with the firm to understand the shopfloor philosophies, and what constitutes an award-winning job. 

Jehangir Surti, 

We have received a PWI Award after sending entries for the last five years. We have given the staff a small cash incentive for the same. I am personally very satisfied to bag such an award as the competition is very stiff and all the top presses in the country participate at these awards.

But, to be frank, we are only as good as the work and the creatives we get. We are constantly working with our clients to offer better solutions. It is a constant evolution. Different clients and their different methods help us to get better moulded. We had produced only six quality book print jobs of which we sent four entries for the Awards. It is not to say that excellence and print awards depend on quantity but it does help. 

While the team is a core part that drives these achievements and accolades, it is extremely important to treat our suppliers well as they form an integral part of the final product. One has to plan taking into account their strengths and limitations pertaining to quality of production and timeliness. One has to pay suppliers promptly and make them feel they are part of the team. We strongly believe in using the best of inputs be it tangible or intangible to maximise results.

I remember being told, keep things simple, do not over promise. Explain all pit falls that may exist before starting and always give proofs that the press can replicate. Our Press is very well maintained and is capable of churning out the very best quality.

Our press is on even keel with the very best the world over. It is a question of believing and striving to give one's best. To raise one’s performance bar, by doing in a better manner what one is currently doing and by following ISO norms.

The mindset to excel is the first and foremost quality that one must possess. Within the print industry, I feel that commercial print will have to evolve. The quantities have definitely decreased and with the passage of time it will only get lesser. Money will not be made by simply churning the machines but by adding value.

Prodon Enterprises is the joint-winner of the Book Printer of the Year title with Jak Printers.