Radhe Print Solutions is a commercial and book printer in Mumbai’s Andheri East. The business runs three sheetfed offset presses – a double-color Heidelberg, a 5-color Komori, and a 5-color Ryobi. The company recently installed a new creasing machine supplied by Hi-Tech Systems in its binding and finishing department. Radhe Print has also bought another press, a pre-owned Komori, that is expected to arrive at the city’s port by end of this month.
“We are happy with the Bacciottini Pit Stop DG Line Touch creasing and perforating machine that was recently added. This is the second post-press machine that we have bought from Hi-Tech Systems. A couple of years ago we also bought a wiro-binding machine from them,” says the owner of Radhe Print Solutions, Karshan Dubariya.
The DG Line Touch is a suction-fed automatic creasing and perforation machine with a 2-inch pile feeder. The format is adapted to digital, offset printed sheets and also for book covers with extension. A standard perforating kit that can be programmed directly from the display can also be attached to the DG Line. The machine has a 7-inch color touch screen display and can be operated at speeds up to 8,000 sheets an hour.
The print business was established about a decade ago to provide several types of commercial and book printing services. While 40% of its customers come directly for their print needs, the remaining customers are brought in by Mumbai’s legendary network of canvassers or print brokers. Altogether, the company processes about 150 tons of paper each month, in its 6,000 square foot MIDC industrial space in Andheri.
Dubariya says that the pre-owned Komori 5-color plus coater offset press that is expected to arrive at the unit soon, is of 2010 vintage, and being a well-configured machine should add considerably to the company’s high-value capacity. “It is a fully loaded press and we are importing it from Europe. Expected to arrive in two weeks, this press will further strengthen our printing capabilities,” he says.
Future plans and current fine-tuning of assets
While Radhe Print Solutions has plans to expand its operations, the availability of adequate space is a major challenge. “We have plans to expand into packaging and may also look at venturing into digital printing. All those plans depend on the availability of space. There are options of moving to areas like Bhiwandi but we do not want to venture out of the Mumbai city limits at this moment,” Dubariya explains.
At present, the company is focusing on improving operational efficiencies and reducing wastage. It recently hired an HR consultant and in the coming months will add software tools to improve its workflow so that operations can be tweaked to become much more efficient. “A major focus area for us is wastage reduction and we will deploy all available tools to make sure we cut down waste. Also, manpower management is another focus area. We have begun by hiring an HR consultant. Basically, the aim is to become a professionally run company,” Dubariya says.
A less impactful Covid wave
The latest Covid wave has again created uncertainties in the print market but Dubariya is confident there won’t be any adverse material impact on the ground. “Yes, there are some concerns but I am confident both Radhe Print Solutions and that the print industry will come out unscathed from this wave. In fact, my company has done very well this financial year and we hope to end the year on a strong note,” he concludes.
