At the recently concluded IndiCorr Expo 2024 in Mumbai, BHS talked about how its automation solutions can help reduce input costs and improve margins for players in the corrugated industry. Ajay Bhardwaj, sales manager for India at BHS, highlighted the company’s focus on minimizing reliance on manpower.
“We are going to help customers by reducing the dependency on manpower, adding more and more automation—not just on the corrugated line, but beyond it,” he said.
BHS has been working on introducing automated systems to streamline production, such as automated conveyor systems that enhance efficiency from the exit conveyor to the work-in-progress and final goods areas. Bhardwaj pointed out that this development aligns with the growing demand from customers for automation, particularly after Covid-19.
Asked about the Indian corrugation industry’s adoption of automation, Bhardwaj noted a significant shift post-Covid. He explained, “Before 2020, the industry was very low-tech, with basic jobs and simple machines. However, we have seen a major shift since Covid, with customers moving from semi-automatic to fully automatic machines.”
This trend, he said, has led to the industry’s embrace of technology that not only automates production but reduces costs by cutting electricity and glue consumption, as well as minimizing wastage. This is especially important as 80-85% of product cost in the corrugated industry is paper.
Bhardwaj highlighted the advanced technology BHS offers for reducing wastage, specifically in managing paper splices during job changes. “Our splice technology allows customers to manage all five paper joints within a 3-5 meter length, significantly reducing paper wastage,” he explained.
Looking to the future, Bhardwaj expressed optimism about BHS’ growth in the Indian market. He said since starting operations in 2011, BHS initially sold only one machine by 2015, but the company has since gained momentum. “From 2016 to now, we have increased the number of corrugators from 4-5 to over 20,” Bhardwaj said. He attributed this growth to the introduction of more suitable products for the Indian and African markets, such as the 2.2-meter and 1.8-meter working width corrugators, which have been well-received in India.
Bhardwaj said BHS’s journey in India has been spurred by key partnerships with major customers in the corrugation industry, which have placed repeat orders.
In addition to its success in India, BHS has expanded its footprint to neighboring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, selling multiple machines in these regions.
Bhardwaj concluded by expressing confidence in the company’s trajectory, saying, “With our continuous innovation and strong customer relationships, the growth we have seen since 2019 is set to continue.”
