Rajkot-based packaging machine manufacturer Pelican Rotoflex showcased its Solomark 6450 ELS rotogravure press with two press units at the K 2022 show held in Dusseldorf from 19-26 October. Pelican, which is a regular exhibitor at the K exhibition, was represented this time by its next-generation top management led by Yash Shrimanker and Vasu Shrimanker.
“We showed the Solomark 6450 press but with only two stations at K 2022. The press was not running live but with two units physically presented, visitors could examine and we could explain their features and components. For those visitors who wanted to know about the press in greater detail, we were prepared with audio-visual tools at our stand,” says Yash Shrimanker of Pelican.
The 450 meters per minute Solomark 6450 press comes with the option of either shafted or shaftless cylinder chucking. Both designs enable fast make-ready operations and quick changeover. The press boasts a 1300 web width.
“We got a very good response to the Pelican Solomark 6450 press. The salient features of the gravure press include low power consumption, low ink consumption, low solvent consumption, and low wastage. The cost of operating the press is very economical. The press can compete with many European brands,” says Vasu Shrimanker.
Yash Shrimanker says that Indian convertors are ready to pay a premium for quality and time-saving and automation features. “Earlier, Indian customers would place the cost of the equipment as the most important factor when buying a press. Recently, there has been a big change in the mindset. Yes, the cost is still an important factor but not the decisive one. Today, customers are interested in quality output and features of the press such as cost, time, and material savings – and they are ready to pay a premium for these,” he says.
Good response at K 2022
Pelican received an excellent response at K 2022. Vasu Shrimankar says that the footfall at the Pelican stand at the show was very encouraging. “There has been an overall decline in footfall at K this year. But we are extremely happy with the response that we received. Our stand was sought out by many top-quality visitors who were genuinely interested in the solutions we provide.
“Visitors were impressed with the press displayed and even with our other solutions for flexible packaging such as our slitter rewinder and extrusion coating machines. Also, since K 2022 was the biggest show for the flexible packaging industry since the pandemic, it was a good platform for the industry to reconnect.”
Pelican’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plant is located about 25 kilometers from Rajkot city in Gujarat. The company’s newest plant stands within a sprawling campus of 24 acres and was commissioned in 2020.
