Bhambari Printers: expansion from commercial to packaging with magnificent growth

– poised to reach newer heights with Kodak CtP technology Chandigarh-based Bhambari Printers has its foremost priority as ‘service to clients’ – carrying out with quality solutions enabled by latest technologies. Recently with the installation of a Kodak Trendsetter 800 at their Baddi venture ‘BP Lipeds’, the company has also brought plate production in-house to meet increasing demand following the expansion from commercial to packaging, and is all set to reach newer heights. Lately, Bhambari was facing the problems in their plates which were being outsourced. The business was suffering and the problem persisted. The prints were not up to the mark, there was no consistency in plates and there were delayed as well. Bringing plate production in-house remained the only option and a sensible one too. “It’s better to go for an in-house facility than to displease clients,” conveys Jeeten Bhambari, an enthusiastic entrepreneur who looks after the marketing of BP Lipeds, one of the three operations of the Bhambari group: including Bhambari Print Pack and Bhambari Printers besides BP Lipeds.

Jeeten Bhambari along with Natesh Puri of Kodak, with the newly installed Kodak Trendsetter 800 platesetter.The company decided in favour of a Kodak device since Kodak thermal technology remains a favourite among printers chiefly catering to the telecom, packaging and pharma industries. The selection was based on trials and they tested ‘reproduction of dots on plate matching the originals’, using Kodak imaging and thermal plate technology (with plate outsourced from Kodak prepress bureau in Chandigarh and with X-rite Dot % on plate matched originals file in the system). Interestingly, earlier in the year 2008 too they had reached the point of finalization for a Kodak CtP at drupa. During that time, CtP was just catching up with Indian printers and Bhambari decided to postpone the decision. Now, Jeeten is very optimistic about their latest investment. “BP Lipeds venture is in its initial stage. We are into the expansion phase and quite a few machine installations are in the lineup. We are very excited about the vast capabilities of the latest installation,” enthusiastically adds Jeeten.

With its humble beginning with a plant in Chandigarh, Bhambari Printers is a family business established by Jeeten’s uncles – Sunil Bhambari and Hemant Bhambari who were also joined by Harish Bhambari, Jeeten’s father when he took VRS from his banking job. Jeeten, an Engineer by profession joined his family business in 2002, when they shifted from a showroom in Manimajra to Industrial Area in Chandigarh. Initially the business would cater to just selective commercial printing clients that chiefly included telecom companies as well as a few fashion designing institutes. The turnover of INR two crore was no mean feat by any terms even then.

Later, apart from developing a niche in telecom sector, Bhambari decided to enter the packaging segment with a new plant in Baddi, seeing the immense potentials in the surrounding areas. The idea was to get into mono-cartons. And today, besides that, the other key tasks being catered by their Baddi facility are paper inserts, sticker labels, cut labels, e-flute cartons, drug books, etc. A reputed clientele giving precedence to quality is Bhambari’s forte.

The best part of their organization, according to Jeeten is they have well defined individual profile for each key person. Harish Bhambari takes care of the BP Lipeds, Sunil Bhambari takes care of the Bhambari Printers, Sumeet Bhambari takes care of Bhambari Print Pack, Hemant Bhambari takes care of the finances for each plant and last but not the least Jeeten enjoys his profile of marketing for all their ventures.

What Jeeten is most appreciative about his father and uncles is their keenness to keep up with the times and upgrade to the latest technology. When he joined, Bhambari had a Dominant 745 four-colour, a Dominant 725 two-colour and one Dominant 715 single-colour machine. They had several diecutting machines, semi-automatic paper cutting machine and other finishing equipments including for lamination. Soon they expanded by installing a Heidelberg SM 72 which was the first five-colour machine in the city. Multiplying their turnover in a short span of time, the next expansion for Bhambari was in the form of BP Lipeds – a one-stop-shop for all print needs. With a look out for new and advanced technologies, the company is now all set to reach newer heights, with the strengths of Kodak CtP technology.