In the aftermath of the floods caused by incessant rains in Kerala, the Kerala Master Printers Association (KMPA) has started working on various levels to understand the extent of the disaster and plan what is to be done for printers. KMPA office bearers have visited some units in order to understand the ground reality. So far, the association has taken some measures such as speaking to major machine manufacturers and their agents to ensure speedy service intervention at damaged units so that the printers can get their machines up and running in the minimum time. However, a safety protocol must be followed in the assessment, cleaning and restoration process to avoid hazards to employees, plants and to machines and materials.
The KMPA has revised its earlier estimate of funds required to help printers with restoration from Rs. 50 crore to Rs. 100 crore. Dayakar Reddy, president of IPAMA, has said the members of the Indian printing and packaging equipment manufacturers association will assist Kerala printers. Welbound with factories in Kerala has engineers on the ground in the state and is actively helping printers clean, assess and restart production. Offset plate manufacturer TechNova has also committed to activley help printers affected by the floods.
Post-flood protocol for offset printers
Provin Technos, distributors of RMGT offset presses, is in touch with all of its customers in Kerala. Vinay Kaushal of Provin says that of its almost a dozen customers in the state, two or three customers in Thrissur and Thiruvanantapuram have not suffered damage to their machines since they were on higher levels or the presses were mounted on platforms. However, four printers in the Kochi area have been seriously affected and here work on assessment and cleaning started on 22 August after the insurance inspection.
Two electrical engineers are already on the ground and a post-flood protocol has been provided by RMGT Japan, which is being followed. After cleaning, the mechanical engineers will arrive in Kochi. As of 27 August 2018, the work to check and restore the functioning and testing of the machines is expected to take another two weeks more. All services have been provided free of charge. “Spare parts will be provided at a very special price,” according to Kaushal.
Komori India has also offered free of charge help to printers under service contract and have set up a helpline at its Faridabad office where printers can call Heena at 9599068152. The helpline number is in operation from this morning (27 August 2018) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Director Sangam Khanna can also be contacted at sangamk@komori.in.
