S K Khurana The widely open world-economy provides immense opportunities for all to strengthen their positions in any segments of the industry with the government of every country focusing on enhancing the exports in a comprehensive manner; promoting export-oriented enterprises in those sectors which have much potential. But it depends on the stake holders in any industry segments to what extent they endeavour to take the advantage of such opportunities.
Being a regular visitor to many international shows, I do think seriously as to why a good number of Indian print machinery manufacturers are not taking part to showcase their products in such Expos? One of such shows was recently held in Kuala Lumpur, where I didn’t find even a single exhibitor from India. Fortunately, most of the executive committee members of IPAMA were there for official meetings. I asked one of the members about the reason behind it, and the answer was obvious which I can also conclude and that was – where are the manufacturers with innovation in India? Baring a handful of manufacturers, who can be counted on fingers, are involved in producing binding equipments and peripherals, single width web offset presses, small offset, screen printing machines, etc. Our manufacturers just target domestic markets or even lower than that which prevails in other developing countries. They are more comfortable in serving those segments of the industry and such customers who are not generally demanding enough. And this very concept is a major bottleneck in the right growth of our printing and allied machinery manufacturers.
Why can’t we produce newer feature added machines with proper R&D so as to compete at international platforms? Where do we lack? We can rope in the right manpower as happens in other industries like automobile and white goods. How long we will be surrendering to the outside manufacturers for our specific requirements? If some of our manufacturers can come out with innovative and effectively marketed products not only in India but also outside the country, why not more and more manufacturers can take it seriously and come up to the next level. To achieve this we may need to hire some consultants/advisors from overseas to guide us. If BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) can hire coaches from foreign countries to train our cricket team, why shuoldn’t we initiate the same for our industry as well?
It is high time to ponder over new pathways for all of us. IPAMA should encourage their members to ensure investment with a significant share of their earnings on R&D to develop such technologies which can match the international standards, enabling them to compete with their counterparts. Having provisions for creation of world class manufacturing infrastructure, the proposed National Manufacturing Policy may facilitate their efforts in this regard. Opening new sources of revenues, such efforts would benefit not only to Indian machinery manufacturers but also to our printers’ community with availability of efficient and economically priced machines in the domestic market itself. And if it happens, one might hope it would be the beginning of the new period in the Indian graphic arts industry.
Wishing you winning innovations!