Indian Printer and Publisher asked Kodak India’s managing director, Bhalachandra Nikumb a few questions about the company’s challenges and views of the pandemic and its effect on the print industry.
Indian Printer and Publisher – How has Kodak fared during the pandemic in India in offset plates, inkjet and software?
Bhalachandra Nikumb – India went under nationwide lockdown beginning on 25 March 2020. Kodak India started operations from 1st April onwards to serve its newspaper and offset packaging customers that were classified under the category of essential services. Since April, we have seen our business growing gradually on a month over month basis. During Q4 we expect business to be in the range of 75-80% pre-Covid-19 level.
IPP – In offset plates how is the consumption in a. newspapers; b. commercial and book presses; and, c. in the carton packaging industry?
Bhalachandra Nikumb – Newspaper [offset plate] consumption was badly affected initially because of lower circulation and pagination but now we can see the recovery due to the ongoing festival season. As far as the commercial and book presses, the overall consumption consumption in this category is very low and we expect recovery in the coming months. In the carton packaging industry the consumption in this category is moderate to good, and it is expected to continue to grow. Our Kodak Sonora Process Free Plates, continue to do well in this segment.
IPP – What is the overall outlook for the year? Calendar or FY?
Bhalachandra Nikumb – Because of the prolonged lockdown, Kodak’s 2020 business was badly affected versus 2019. We are optimistic on the revival of the business for 2021. n
