Fineline installs Ricoh Minosha machines in Indian facility

Could you please provide a brief overview of your company’s history?

Avinash: Our primary operation involves printing labels and tags for clients in India and supplying them to their respective factories. With four offices in the US, and additional locations in Canada, the Netherlands, South Africa (Durban), China (two locations), and India, we have established a global presence. Celebrating over 25 years in the industry, Fineline takes pride in being the fastest in its sector, setting unparalleled turnaround times for our clients.

Specializing in variable data printing for tags and labels, we are also involved in RFID technology. Currently, we have a customer base exceeding 70,000, with over 7 billion tickets shipped annually through our platform.

Can you provide insights into your primary client base, the major market segments you serve, and the types of job applications you handle?

Avinash: Our primary focus extends to both the US and European markets, with a substantial clientele that includes prominent retailers. In essence, our core product offerings comprise price tickets, labels, and RFID solutions. The primary markets we cater to are in the US and Europe, with a strong emphasis on serving the retail sector. Besides retail, we have a presence in the event management space, although the majority of our business remains centered around the retail industry. Currently, we have a team of 50-plus experienced staff members.

Can you provide details about the size of your facility and the key equipment installed?

Avinash: Our facility spans approximately 20,000 square feet. In terms of key equipment, we utilize a range of advanced printing technologies. We employ flexo printing, thermal printing, laser jet printing, and a digital printing section. In the digital printing domain, we have incorporated two heavy duty Production Printers from Ricoh Pro C9200 machines, along with post and press equipment.

What are the primary challenges your business faces, and how does Minosha address these challenges with its products and solutions?

Avinash: Our significant challenge, which emerged during our expansion efforts, involved the need for digital printers in our facility. This led us to explore various options and collaborate with multiple competitors. Ultimately, our search brought us to Ricoh, a solution provided by the Minosha team.

Incorporating Ricoh into our operations has streamlined our printing processes, particularly for variable data. As a company focused on printing labels and tags with barcodes, the role of digital printing presses, such as Ricoh, is crucial. The ease with which Ricoh handles small quantities of variable data has notably improved our printing capabilities. This strategic alignment with Minosha and their Ricoh solution has proven instrumental in overcoming our challenges and enhancing the efficiency of our printing operations.

What prompted your decision to invest in Ricoh products, and how has Minosha addressed the associated challenges through its products and solutions?

Avinash: Our decision to invest in Ricoh products was primarily driven by the need for business expansion. Ricoh’s offerings aligned well with our growth objectives. In terms of training and education, Minosha conducted comprehensive training sessions for our operators.

Furthermore, Minosha’s presales manager regularly guides them in color management, media flexibility, and color profiles. This ongoing expert support ensures that our team remains well-versed in utilizing Ricoh products to their full potential.

The adoption of technology, especially in Indian printing houses, can be a complex endeavor. How did you navigate the installation of the Ricoh digital press?

Avinash: Frankly, the installation process for these machines was remarkably smooth for us. Our experience and familiarity with such installations, coupled with a well-maintained and systematic floor, contributed to the ease of the process with the experienced Minosha Team. This meticulous setup played a crucial role in the seamless installation of the Ricoh digital press. Consequently, we did not encounter any significant challenges, making the entire process straightforward and efficient.

What notable improvements in production efficiency, quality, delivery schedules, and customer satisfaction have you observed before and after the installation of RICOH technology?

Avinash: The introduction of RICOH has proven to be a valuable addition. In the past, we relied on outsourcing partners, leading to extended timelines for our projects. Bringing production in-house has significantly streamlined our processes, making it more convenient for our customers to meet deadlines.

Earlier, we were lacking an in-house digital printing setup for our printing needs. The installation of RICOH marks our first foray into in-house digital printing which has notably enhanced our ability to achieve timely deliveries, contributing to an overall improvement in customer satisfaction.

What is your perspective on the strengths of Ricoh products, and how do you capitalize on their features for specialized tasks or specific applications?

Avinash: In our assessment, Ricoh machines exhibit a remarkable level of sophistication, being relatively recent additions to the market. Their downsides are minimal, contributing to a positive overall impression. The Ricoh 9200, in particular, is a high-end machine that offers the flexibility to handle higher GSM papers, resulting in superior print quality. We have observed that Ricoh products excel in print quality, media flexibility, uptime, and productivity when compared to competing products. Leveraging these attributes, we find ourselves well-equipped to handle a diverse range of specialized tasks and specific applications.

Which specific capabilities and quality aspects of the Ricoh digital production printer do you believe can enhance your business and contribute to improved margins?

Avinash: We anticipate that the enhanced productivity and superior media flexibility offered by the Ricoh digital production printer will play a pivotal role in strengthening our business and positively impacting our profit margins.

Our experience with Ricoh and Minosha India has been exceptionally smooth and Minosha is providing timely service and valuable support. Previously, certain low-volume projects were challenging due to the high costs associated with traditional machines for color printing. However, with Ricoh in place, we’ve been able to efficiently handle small-volume jobs, particularly those involving variable data- a crucial aspect of our products. It has been instrumental in expanding our business operations in India.