Malhar Digicomm automates sign and display production using Esko Kongsberg XN

In just nine months, with the help of its newly adopted Esko Kongsberg XN digital cutting and creasing table, Mumbai-based Malhar Digicomm, a commercial digital printing firm has made a remarkable transformation from a manually operated facility to a fast-growing digital POP and POS company, which perfectly designs and manufactures display items for retail outlets. The products they cater include freestanding, end-aisle and shelf displays printed on diverse range of materials that even custom mold as part of the designs and displays. Malhar has invested in 100 percent digital production. The company’s recent and rapid success started with its investment in digital printers and the Kongsberg XN with i-Cut technology and Artioscad software for structural design for its 3D displays. Milind Deshpande, managing partner, Malhar Digicomm, says, “We realised it could not be as successful as it wanted to be because the work was complicated and took much time when done manually. Moreover, prior to installing the Kongsberg, we were outsourcing our jobs outside, but the finishing part, which is important for a POP or POS, was not furnished as per our expectations. The POP business is growing fast, but you have to offer brand owners and retail customers a good solution or you will not be able to keep them as customers. We understood that we could not work manually anymore.”

The most important thing Malhar Digicomm wanted from a table was one that would work quickly and provide a good quality cut. Also, they needed a machine that was reliable enough to work continuously all day, if necessary. The Kongsberg XN is a high-speed cutting and creasing device with precise registration. Earlier, Malhar Digicomm had several people working in the production area, now it has only two, while others work in skilled areas such as design, sales and marketing. In the meantime, production has tripled with fewer people and the factory is much cleaner with much less dust. The i-Cut software has also resulted in significant material savings. “With the Kongsberg XN, we are now able to cater to big brands such as Top Ramen, Being Human, Volkswagen and GM Electricals amongst others. Today, we cater to projects which are usually in the range of 1,000 to 5,000 pieces, but now we can work on much smaller or even larger quantities — depending on the job itself,” remarks Milind.