In one sense, the event was a show of strength for Replika. And, why not? In the recent years, the company, a record five-time consecutive winner of the PrintWeek India Post-Press Company of the Year title, has only gone from strength to strength.

For one thing, Replika Press was bestowed a Special Export Award by Capexil for its achievements in export of books at a ceremony held on 28 January 2016 in New Delhi. The company grabbed the award on the strength of its reported exports of highest value, Rs 7580.89 lakh, with exports in countries like Tanzania, Kuwait, Nigeria, Ghana, Oman and Singapore, among others.

Then there is Replika’s recent massive expansion, which includes a new factory near its existing plant in Sonepat, with a floor space of more than 4,80,000 sq/ft. The new facility has separate space for hardcover and soft cover books. In addition, the company has invested in a Heidelberg CD 74 and Heidelberg 2/2 or 4/0 three months ago, as well as a Ryobi and a Canon Oce.

The evening had all this (including a film highlighting Replika’s journey from the 1970s) and more. Among the industry leaders in attendance, there were Stephen Esson, group publishing operations director, Penguin Random House, UK; Louise Cameron, group production director, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc; Mike Levaggi, group production director, HarperCollins Publishers; JP Vij of Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers; and Rajiv Beri, managing director, Bloomsbury Publishing India. The above mentioned guests also participated in an invigorating panel discussion about the Indian book printing market and Replika’s place in it, moderated by Ramu Ramanathan, editor, PrintWeek India.

Calling the event a celebration of Replika 3.0, Sanandan Seth, director-marketing, Replika Press, said, “The printing industry in India is galloping at a double digit growth. In its journey of more than five decades, Replika has not only grown in size, from a tiny one room business to acres, but has also grown in its print stature and book binding ability to cater to the needs of creating the best of books.”

Vikaran Seth, director-production, Replika Press, added, “In the past 15 years, I have seen how a print company has transformed itself into a technology y company. The book factory in Kundli is a logical step forward. Today, books from Replika are being exported to five continents and our partners and clientele include the who’s who of the international and Indian print and publishing industry.”

Not just show of strength, the event also served as an acknowledgment of the company to its partner publishers, which have helped it grow over the years. In his emotionally charged speech, Bhuvnesh Seth, managing director, Replika Press thanked individuals and organisations who have been a part of its journey.