At the 11th Speciality Films & Flexible Packaging Global Summit in Mumbai organized by ElitePlus, Jake Roberts, sales director at Sandon Global, discussed the company’s strategic plans and outlook for the Indian market.
Sandon Global is a UK-based manufacturer of anilox rolls, anilox sleeves, and cylinders. In India, Sandon is represented by Tinku Sharma, sales manager for India, Africa, and the Middle East.
Roberts explained that Sandon Global specializes in producing anilox rollers from roll or sleeve bodies, with all processes – including the application of their patented ceramic coating, laser engraving, and final polishing – being done in-house. This approach to manufacturing is central to their business model, offering them full control over product quality.
At the summit, Roberts highlighted Sandon Global’s focus on the Indian market, noting the company’s ambition to expand its footprint. “Tinku is doing a fantastic job for us here, but it’s not easy. We are exporting from the UK to India, where we face local competitors. However, our superior quality is helping us maintain and grow our market share,” he remarked.
The future of flexo in India
In India, most of Sandon’s customers are wide web CI flexo printers. The number of CI flexo presses being commissioned in India is increasing every year.
Discussing the potential for growth in the Indian packaging market, Roberts was optimistic about the shift from gravure to flexo printing. “The transition from gravure to flexo is happening at an increasing speed, which will only expand the market. With India now the most populous country in the world, the demand for packaging is enormous,” he said.
Expansion plans
Sandon Global serves the international print industry across every continent. The company performs in-house ceramic coating blends and is engaged in several ‘Knowledge Transfer Partnership’ projects with Liverpool John Moores University and Manchester University. Additionally, Sandon runs apprenticeship schemes to bring new talent into the industry. Its core business areas include flexible packaging, narrow web, and corrugated packaging.
Looking to the future, Roberts hinted at possible expansion plans in the region. “We are considering a second facility, though the exact location is still being discussed. We want to replicate the setup we have built in the UK here in Asia and the rest of the world. We’re working on several projects to make that happen smoothly,” he explained.
