The Global Rotogravure Association (GRA) hosted its GRA Talks Factory program at Pelican’s manufacturing facility in Rajkot on February 13, 2026, bringing together industry leaders, brand owners, converters, and technical experts for a day of knowledge exchange and live demonstrations focused on rotogravure printing and flexible packaging.
The exclusive factory-format event gave participants an inside look at Pelican’s production operations and the latest advancements in rotogravure press technology. The program combined expert presentations, high-level networking, and a guided factory tour, with conference organizer ElitePlus++ serving as knowledge partner.
The day began with a welcome breakfast followed by an opening session led by GRA secretary Stefani Dhami, who highlighted the association’s expanding global footprint and its commitment to driving innovation, sustainability, and collaboration across the gravure printing ecosystem.
A major highlight of the morning session was an address by GRA president Simon Sonn, who traced the organization’s evolution from its founding as the European Rotogravure Association in 1956 to its rebranding as a global body six months ago. Elected during the 2025 International Gravure Days in Istanbul, Sonn is the association’s first non-European president, reflecting its international growth strategy.
Sonn noted that the GRA is in a significant transition phase, expanding its membership beyond Europe to include India, China, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. He observed that emerging markets with younger populations and rising consumer demand—such as India and China—are experiencing stronger gravure growth compared with aging markets in parts of Europe and the Americas.
He emphasized the association’s focus on sustainability research, global collaboration, and education, including partnerships with universities and technical institutions. Initiatives such as online technical forums, Talks Factory programs, and International Gravure Days were highlighted as key platforms for knowledge sharing and industry alignment.
The expert session featured Michael Ruschenbeck, sales area manager for EMEA and India at Renzmann, who addressed efficiency and sustainability in downstream operations. He stressed that while printing presses represent significant capital investments, auxiliary processes such as cleaning and solvent recovery are critical to maintaining productivity and minimizing downtime.
Ruschenbeck presented automated cleaning system solutions designed to improve consistency, reduce worker exposure to solvents, and lower operating costs.
Akshay Joshi of PVG’s College of Engineering & Technology and Management shared insights on education, research, and workforce development in printing and packaging, underscoring the importance of stronger industry-academia collaboration to support ongoing technological advancement.
At noon, attendees observed a live demonstration of the Pelican Solomark rotogravure press. Bharat Shah, founder of Pelican, discussed the press’s advancements in automation, precision engineering, and performance optimization, highlighting India’s growing role in global gravure manufacturing.
The post-lunch session included a guided tour of Pelican’s facility, covering the assembly shop, automation division, and machining shop. Participants saw firsthand the company’s manufacturing processes, quality control systems, and integration of automation technologies across departments.
The Rajkot edition of GRA Talks Factory reflects the association’s strategy of spotlighting companies that are advancing gravure technology through innovation and forward-thinking management. The next Talks Factory program is scheduled to take place in Johannesburg, marking the initiative’s first edition on African soil.
Meanwhile, GRA is set to celebrate its 70th anniversary later this year in Munich.
