Many packaging pre-press solutions providers in Ahmedabad are planning to gradually ramp up production once the relaxations announced by the central government come into effect. The Indian home ministry on 15 April issued guidelines about relaxation in several industrial activities from 20 April. A variety of sectors have been allowed to start operations given they follow all the required health and social distancing guidelines. The government has permitted industries in rural areas, including food processing, mines, packaging material, oil and gas exploration, and refineries, to resume operations.
Shilp Gravures, manufacturer of engraved gravure rollers and photopolymer plates for flexo printing for the narrow-web and wide-web segments, will gradually increase production. The company was not operational during the lockdown, which came into effect on 25 March.
“We were completely shut till now. However, on 15 April, we started operations after getting proper permission from the authorities. At present, we are operating only one shift but will gradually ramp up activities after 20 April. We have arranged for buses to transport our employees to our factory,” says Gajanan Bhavsar of Shilp Gravures.
According to Bhavsar, a lot of labels and flexible packaging converters in Gujarat have been operating during the lockdown but only to service their customers who are part of the essential services industry such as food, milk, and pharmaceuticals. “With a lot of sectors being allowed to operate after 20 April, I expect demand for packaging also to increase gradually,” adds Bhavsar.
Ahmedabad-based flexo pre-press bureau, Ankit Graphics, is also looking to accelerate operations. It supplies digital plates for narrow web label, wide web CI flexo, letterpress, corrugated, flexible film, container, paper cup, and notebook printers and converters. Ankit Graphics has been functioning during the current lockdown but in a minimal capacity.
“During the current lockdown, we were shut for only two days. A large number of label printers were operational, but they were mostly supplying labels for application in the pharmaceutical industry. With some relaxation coming in, we expect an increase in demand, but a lot will depend on the supply of raw materials. If courier services get back to normal after 20 April, things will improve,” says Ankit Darji of Ankit Graphics.
Technomec Roll Manufacturing Company, one of the leading manufacturers of rotogravure cylinders in India, has also been functional during the lockdown but only at 20-25% of its capacity. The company, which has its plant on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, supplies cylinders to some of the leading flexible packaging converters. It also expects to see increased activity after 20 April 2020.
“We have been working with a limited workforce and have followed all the health and safety guidelines. Also, we have got tremendous support from our customers. We are fully geared up if there is an increase in demand after 20 April. Since agricultural activities have been allowed, I see demand for packaging material in segments such as seeds and fertilizers,” says Amal Amin of Technomec Roll Manufacturing Company.
