The Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA) has elected Umendra Kumar Gupta, chairman and managing director, Holostik India Limited as its new president. One of the founder members, Gupta has also served as the Association’s president during 1998-2006 and then again in 2008-2010. Gupta is the only Indian holographer to receive the coveted ‘Brian Monaghan Award for Business Innovation’ from International Hologram Manufacturers Association for his outstanding contribution to the development of the hologram industry.
Speaking on the occasion, Gupta said, “It is a privilege to be chosen to lead this Association in a new avatar and at the helm of high growth. Since our re-launch a few months back, we have added many new members offering diverse authentication technologies and are integrating their valuable suggestions to be more comprehensively representative of the common interests as an industry body. Today, nearly every industry such as pharmaceuticals, FMCG and others faces the menace of dealing with high-tech, sophisticated counterfeiting. Our government seems proactive on taking a holistic approach to consumer protection and public welfare. ASPA as an industry body is aligned to support them in protecting brands and safeguarding consumer interest and our member companies are fully geared up to help industries meet this challenge.”
Nakul Pasricha, chief operating officer, PharmaSecure has been elected vice president while ASPA’s governing body includes Arun Aggarwal, chief executive officer, Kantas Track-Pack, who will serve as the general secretary and treasurer; Luv Shriram, managing director, Shriram Veritech; and Deepak Gupta, director, Shree Lamipack. The elected governing body has also invited Nityanand S. Shenoy, president and managing director, PRS Permacel and Mukesh Goyal, director, Gopsons Paper Limited as two additional co-opted members. The association’s outgoing president Manoj Kochar, director, Holoflex Ltd., will continue to be on the governing body as an ex-officio member.
Since its re-launch in October 2014, ASPA’s membership strength has increased by nearly 25%. The Association recently celebrated its 16th anniversary in December, and aims to become the singular voice of the authentication solution providers in Asia and around the world. ASPA works closely with global authorities such as International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA), Counterfeit Intelligence Bureau (CIB) and Interpol, as well as industry bodies in India such as FICCI CASCADE, CII, ASSOCHAM and Indian Institute of Packaging. Recently, two ASPA members were also appointed to represent Asia on the IHMA Board.
