All eyes are on drupa 2004
Mumbai Mudrak Sangh organizes a curtain raiser
The countdown to drupa 2004 is on. In anticipation of the Olympics of the Printing industry, MMS organised a curtain raiser on 24th February in Mumbai. The day chosen by the Sangh is being celebrated as Printer's Day and was a tribute to Johannes Guttenberg. Mr Anand Limaye, President, MMS while welcoming the participants promised to organize events on the same day every year.
The event was aimed at helping visitors to make the most their visit to Dusseldorf. 18,000 exhibitors from around the world are expecting to showcase their products at this eagerly awaited event. 15 Indian companies also expected to participate. The curtain raiser featured presentations by industry leaders. In the expert panel was Sanat Shah, CMD Manugraph India Ltd. who expects to launch Frontline 55 which can print 55,000 in 4+4 colour. This machine is aimed at the newspaper industry.
Pranav Parikh, CMD, TechNova Imaging Systems (P) Ltd. spoke on CtP technology. In jest he mentioned that besides the printing industry, the politicians were also keen on another type of CtP, viz. Corridor to Personal Prosperity that they hope to get into via the upcoming elections.
He pointed to an industry report by Goldman Sachs that concluded that the Indian economy would be larger than Italy's by 2015, bigger than Germany by 2020 and beat China by 2035. Parikh asked the large gathering to pay serious attention to technologies displayed and make the right choices.
He mentioned that 60% of plate consumption in Europe and N. America was CtP. 30% of global plate consumption was also CtP and expected that in 3 years time this figure would catapult to 50%. In India also this technology has been growing favourably. The must see technologies according to Parikh were process free, photo polymer and the Indian innovation, Inkjet Polyester plates, the one of its kind in the world developed by TechNova and being launched at drupa 2004.
Thomas D Watson, President, Kodak Polychrome Graphics, Asia/Pacific, thanked the organizers and expressed his gratitude for getting an opportunity to address an august group comprising the city's printing fraternity. He expects the forthcoming event to be a watershed, a turning point for those printers looking to invest in technology. He felt too many printers in India were not willing to accept that they were a part of the global economy and therefore averse to investing in new technologies that were sweeping through the world.
The drupa 1995 had been called the CtP drupa, and it was noteworthy how this technology has grown in leaps and bounds within a 9-year period. drupa 2000 had been called Digital drupa and the upcoming event has been dubbed as the JDF drupa.
KPG's goal was to partner with customers to understand current needs in an effort to anticipate future requirements. The technology being showcased by KPG at drupa 2004 is targeted at commercial printers, newspaper printers and the packaging market.
Ajay Bhatia, Marketing Manager, Xerox Modiocorp Ltd. briefed the audience on how variable digital printing was coming up in a big way. For short run printing this is considered a suitable technology. The company has already sold 60 Docucolour 60/60 in India. This points to increasing trend of personalization and customisation in printing jobs.
Ajay Aggarwal, Sales Director, Insight Communications provided a practical example of how even a small time printer investing in a CtP machine can achieve break even within 2 years. The session was enjoyed by the participants and attracted many queries.
Anil Krishna, GM National Starch & Chemical Co. SARC region enlightened the audience on the new cold melts technology for binding adhesives. While the strength of binding remains unchanged it saves costs and is less harmful.
Xavier Rebello, GM, Cidex Trade Fairs (P) Ltd. briefed he audience on the logistical details of the event. Surendra Dhote, President AIFMP who was invited as the Chief Guest, has attended the last 6 drupas. He shared his experiences and advised the audience to visit the exhibition ground in an old pair of shoes as one has to walk almost 5-6 kms every day. The 15 participating companies were felicitated at his hands.
According to Tushar Dhote, of MMS even 14 days are not enough to visit each stall at drupa. One must plan the trip carefully he advises as otherwise one tends to get confused. Also it is recommended that one should stay close to the exhibition area to save on time.
The curtain to the curtain raiser was downed with dinner and with a release of the 'Print Bulletin' with special focus on drupa 2004.
