Thane-based Janus International has managed to streamline and enhance its folding carton converting after commissioning a brand new Bobst Ambition 106 A2 folder gluer with 4 and 6 corner/specialty boxes and a corrugation kit about a year ago. Janus, a well-known name in the label printing and converting industry, has also been in the folding carton business for almost a decade now.
“We bought a folding carton unit about a decade ago and were using the old machinery that we got with that unit. We were earlier more focused on our label printing business. However, over time, the volume in the folding carton business started to grow and we needed to upgrade the technology and increase the capacity. So, we went for a new Bobst folder gluer last year to replace the very old ACME folder gluer,” says Denver Annunciation, director – strategic initiatives, Janus International.
Annunciation says that with the Bobst folder gluer in operation, Janus has been able to process lock bottom cartons with ease, which was not possible earlier. The speed of converting has also increased, which was a bottleneck with the old folder gluer.
“With increased volumes, we are now able to convert a variety of carton designs, including crash lock bottom cartons, all thanks to the new Bobst folder gluer. Not only do the Bobst folder gluers offer the best-in-class technology, but they are also made in India. This was important for us and we wanted to promote a global brand that manufactures in India. Their after-sales support is excellent,” adds Annunciation.
Bobst India operates from its 20,000-square meter world-class manufacturing site in Pune and employs about 450 people.
Janus operates its folding carton business along with its label printing business at its Thane factory. The company operates three offset presses: one 5-color and two 2-color, and supplies to a highly diversified set of customers across the country.
Solid growth visibility in Indian cartons business
Annunciation is bullish about the growth of India’s folding carton industry. He believes the government’s focus on Indian manufacturing will provide an impetus to the Indian economy and packaging.
“Indian packaging is growing because of various reasons, including the pick-up in manufacturing. The growth of mobile phone manufacturing in India has helped the cartons business,” Annunciation says.
Janus argues that the rise in interest rates in India will not impact the investments in the packaging industry as the underlying fundamentals of the Indian economy remain very strong.
“I think inflation has run up too high in the last year. We in the packaging industry too had to bear the brunt of very high raw material prices. In order to cool the prices, interest rates needed to be hiked. It is a healthy correction. I think in the very short term this might cause a little pain but a decline in inflation and raw material prices will be very good for the industry in the medium to long term,” he says.
