ONE SIZE FITS ALL!!

Komori Lithrone G37

The offset industry in India has seen a dynamic change since 2016, The ever-reducing margins in the commercial printing segment has pushed a serious number of printers towards packaging and value-added printing, whereas on the other hand, the packaging converters are always looking at ways to reduce costs to increase their bottom ends.

There have been three dominant sizes that have been very popular in the past i.e. 19×26, 20×30 in commercial and 28×40 in packaging. Since 2015, we have witnessed a dynamic shift. 25×37 has become a popular size in both the commercial as well as packaging segments. From a 4 colour to 7 colour with coater, Komori has attained success not only with the commercial but also with the packaging convertors.

The new age machines across the industry, are very much dependent on electronics and that has always been Komori’s strength. Besides the strong electronics, we are a green machine. We don’t use any kind of alcohol-based IPA for any of our machines across the line. 

Komori GL 37 offers cutting edge technologies. The machine is equipped with an evolved version of KHS-AI which is a software hardware integration for quick print start up.

For commercial printers this machine helps to boost up your production for all short and medium run length jobs. 8up A4 or American letter size impositions, this machine is ideal for producing high page count products. Offset on demand is the new mantra for short run and fast turnaround needs. The capability to print on light and heavy stocks is an added advantage to commercial printers. The Gl 37 offers a sheet thickness range of 0.04 – 0.6 mm. If you opt for a skeleton cylinder you could print heavier stocks of up to – 0.8mm of thickness. 

The Gl 37 is not only a highly profitable venture for the commercial printers, it also gives them the opportunity to venture into Packaging with odd sizes. Value addition with the right size is key to pump profitability back into you commercial printing setup.

When we come to packaging most of our customers are equipped with a 28×40 size press, as we got deeper in conversation with them we realized that more than 90% of their jobs falls under an imposition of 37”.

Going back in time in 2012 Komori had launched the LA 37 this machine was manufactured with the intention to target commercial and publication printers. When Komori realized this size was also suitable to Packaging customers, they went back to the drawing board and replicated the award-winning GL 40. The GL 40 was already a popular machine amongst packaging customers. When 90% of packaging imposition falls under the 37 inches width range the GL 37 became a popular size in the packaging segment as well. It offers all the feature of a 40 sized press with huge savings in plate, paper, power, floor space. When we talk of a packaging configuration specially with UV, power plays a very significant role.

Komori GL 37+C is a star product and is now getting high in demand for its cost effectiveness in Packaging solutions, Publishing and in Commercial. To address all three verticals with one machine is a great success.

Looking ahead at 2020 more than half of the year has been eaten up by the pandemic. However, there are always opportunities if we look in the right direction.

1. Anti-China sentiment will force a lot of make in India which will give substantial boost to the printing industry both for packaging as well as commercial.
2. A lot of business would shift to an online platform to avoid physical contact. This is the right time to go online to engage with your customers.
3. Domestic collaboration amongst smaller printers could help them fight out their weaknesses.
4. The right time to cut down and become a lean organization (multiple old presses, should now be replaced with one new machine). This will make your books more profitable.
5. Value addition will be the key to success.

“Kando” — exceeding customer expectations.

Looking ahead at the future the machine we choose today could impact on an what and where our business would be tomorrow.

 –  Navtej Walia