Bindwel‘s presence at drupa with its three India-made machines – Ekam, Insta Binder, and the Freedom series – garnered significant attention in the book binding section. Sajith Pallippuram, managing director of Bindwel, believes that the innovative technologies showcased by Bindwel at drupa are set to define the future of book binding.
“We had approximately 300 companies visiting our stand, all with interests related to bookbinding. This has led to several promising leads and discussions that are expected to result in significant orders. We are particularly excited about the potential business from regions such as the Maghreb, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Dubai, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. Our discussions with potential dealers in the UK, Saudi Arabia, and Romania are also progressing well, and we are optimistic about formalizing these partnerships soon,” he said.
According to Pallippuram, India is one of the largest consumers of printed textbooks globally, with an impressive three billion textbooks printed annually. The demand for standardized textbook production is critical and Bindwel’s Ekam aims to address this need, he said.
In an intercation with Naresh Khanna, editor of Indian Printer and Publisher, at drupa, Pallippuram highlighted the inspiration behind Ekam’s standardization approach, which is derived from the FMCG industry. “The inspiration for standardization of textbooks in Ekam comes from the FMCG industry where specific manufacturing lines are used for specific SKUs,” he said. The Ekam system optimizes space by 50%, reduces the utilization of machine parts, is accompanied by high automation, reliability, and, ultimately, ensures cost-effectiveness.
The Bindwel team with the bound booksThe Insta Binder, another highlight from Bindwel, caught the attention of the global audience at drupa. It is ideal for on-demand book printing and is highly flexible, making it standout at the show. According to Pallippuram, the Insta Binder’s flexibility and efficiency make it an attractive option for publishers and self-publishers alike. It offers a seamless solution for on-demand book production, a sector that has seen significant growth as more authors turn to self-publishing.
The third machine from the Freedom series is a hybrid that combines the standardization principles of Ekam with the one-book-at-a-time concept of Insta Binder. Pallippuram is confident that these three machines will revolutionize book production, offering solutions that cater to diverse needs within the industry.
According to Pallippuram, drupa24 had a positive impact on Bindwel as it provided a fantastic platform to showcase the latest innovations to a global audience. “Despite the challenges posed by a smaller attendance compared to previous years, the quality of engagement was exceptionally high. The level of engagement and interest from visitors exceeded our expectations, particularly from key markets such as Africa, the Middle East, and West Asia, as well as leading companies within India.”
Discussing the broader landscape of the printed textbook industry, Kai Buentenmeyer, director of Bindwel, shared insights with Khanna at drupa. He emphasized the resilience of printed books in both educational and entertainment sectors. “High-level advertising sectors continue to seek effective support through printed advertising, which maintains the printing industry’s significance,” he said, highlighting the stability and robustness of the printed book industry in developed economies.
However, Buentenmeyer expressed concern over the shift towards digital education in Germany, contrasting it with India’s continued reliance on printed textbooks. “In my view, Germany may soon experience a backlash against digital education, leading to a revival of printed books. Indian authorities do not share the same enthusiasm for digital education as seen in Germany,” he said. He believes that the emphasis on printed books in India will remain strong, underscoring the critical role of traditional textbooks in education.
Drupa 2024 resulted in substantial progress on several significant deals for Bindwel. Seeing the level of interest and the quality of engagement at drupa 2024, Pallippuram believes it to have set the stage for a successful follow-up period, where the team anticipates finalizing the deals and agreements in the coming months.
