TechNova, one of India’s leading providers of solutions for the print and packaging industry, inaugurated its state-of-the-art TOUCH Center at Turbhe in Navi Mumbai on 9 January 2023, in association with HP.
Touch is an acronym for TechNova Open University for Change. The center spread over 3,000 square feet has the best-in-class HP Indigo 6k digital press running live, which will offer a complete experience of HP Indigo’s digital printing technology.
“We have invested in this Touch Center so that people can get an experience of what it is like to have a set-up like this, what kind of products can be made, and the touch and feel of the applications,” said Pranav Parikh, CMD of TechNova.
Parikh said the concept of the Touch Center started in the 90s. Its primary objective is to offer the Indian print industry a platform for learning new skills, experiencing the latest technologies, and achieving operational excellence by adopting the latest trends.
“Our journey in digital printing started in 1993 with an alliance with Indigo for marketing its presses in India. Soon, HP acquired the Indigo business and aligned the capabilities of the press to suit customer needs. Many years ago, we introduced a range of new digital plates and CTP systems. At that time, it succeeded very well. So in a way, this new Touch Center is a reincarnation of what we launched in 1996,” Parikh said.
The Touch Center is an extension of HP’s Graphic Experience Centers in Alpharetta, Barcelona, and Singapore. The center will provide services such as a demonstration of HP Indigo technology and new applications for print service providers (PSPs) and brands, as well as educational sessions for new entrants to the print business and print packaging students. Parikh said when somebody is talking digital, he or she has a concept about what digital means and machines like HP have a significant impact and cost.
“It is difficult to take a decision to go ahead with an investment without actually experiencing it. So, in a place like this, they can get a feel of the offering that they can use for their own strategies. The Touch Center can become a strategy-formation center for the customers and their teams. They can come here, experience it first-hand, get the brand owners involved, and train their people. A lot of issues can be sorted out here. So when they make the final decision to buy, they are 99% sure that they have done the right thing,” Parikh added.
HP is already partnering with TechNova to expand the distribution of its full range of Indigo label solutions and inkjet presses for folding cartons and publishing. Meanwhile, Redington continues to be HP’s partner, covering the commercial and photo segments. Amit Khurana, COO, digital and offset print solutions at TechNova, said that there are plans to add finish equipment at the Touch Center.
“As we go on from here, we have plans to add finishing lines. We want to make it an end-to-end experience center as anything without proper finishing equipment would be a job half done. So our plan is to expand this center as we go along,” Khurana said.
Level playing field for startups
A Appadurai, country business manager – Indigo and inkjet business solutions, said: ‘Our mission is to provide a level playing field for startups and SMBs in high-quality world-class printed packaging. Today, HP Indigo convertors cater to about 10,000 such startups. We believe the second generation of the print industry would love doing this, knowing that they are making a big difference to the world.”
The idea, he said, is to expand the number of startups that HP caters to by 10 times. “We want to be the incubator of packaging for these startups. We believe the second generation of the print industry would love doing this knowing that they are making a big difference to the world,” he added.
Appadurai said every big label convertor in the industry, which has got a number of traditional flexo technology, has to have some form of digital technology at his or her disposal in the next three to five years.
“I am making an audacious statement but that is the reality. The landscape of the industry is changing,” he said.
CG Ramakrishnan, executive director and CEO of TechNova, added: “Embracing digital is the need of the hour. We are partnering with the world’s leading digital print company, HP to help our customers to expand their capabilities to benefit from the unique profit opportunities. HP’s strategy to create an ecosystem of printers, brand owners, profitable applications, and partners is unique. HP’s futuristic technology fits perfectly with TechNova’s business strategy of focusing on customer’s needs to enhance their profitability.”
Bullish about Indian packaging industry
The Indian packaging and label industry has been growing at an impressive pace and that trend is expected to continue. Khurana said exports would an area of growth for Indian convertors.
“I believe the capabilities of Indian packaging solution providers are increasing. If you see the top 10 players, they are growing at 18-20% and already catering to global customers. The capacities in the packaging industry are growing. In the last two years, a majority of investments have happened in the packaging industry. A lot of global packaging companies are expanding in India. I am very optimistic about Indian packaging companies doing well globally in the near future,” Khurana said. Ramakrishnan said that the recent turmoil in the global economy will not have any major impact on the Indian economy and on the Indian printing and packaging industry.
“India faces both tailwinds and headwinds. The tailwinds slightly exceed the headwinds. I think the China-plus-one theme will benefit India when it comes to manufacturing. Interest rates in India have gone up in recent months but I do not think that will impact the capex cycle in the printing and packaging industry as in the long term, the Indian economy will continue to grow,” Ramakrishnan said.
