OPA strongly object to the representation of IPAMA

Ludhiana, September 18, 2014: The Offset Printers’ Association (OPA) general secretary Kamal Chopra has said it has come to light that the representation of Indian Printing Packaging and Allied Machinery Manufacturers Association (IPAMA) is under consideration with Union government. Addressing a press conference here today, he added in this context, OPA strongly object to the representation of IPAMA and at the same time request the Union government for rejecting this representation and allow duty-free import of the machines not manufactured in India on the same pattern as in Malaysia and many other countries.
He added according to the data available in India, as on date there is no manufacturer for top-end multi-coloured offset and digital printing machines all such machines are being imported from various countries. 90 per cent of these machines are imported second-hand. According to data of 2013 against 262 brand new machines 926 used machines were imported. The life of imported machine is not less than 40 to 50 years it is therefore importing used machine of 12 to 15 year old is as good as the new machine.
Chopra said now, the main question is why these machines are imported, the primary reason is quality and speed, plus re-sale value of German and Japanese offset machines. And, also the Indian sheet-fed offset manufacturers have not had support. The life of any Indian printing and/or allied machines is not more than 10 years as compared to the average life of imported machines of 40-50 years. Except in web offset presses where India is the largest manufacturer of single width coldest machines with players like J Mahabeer, K K Printing, Manugraph and The Printers House etc. It is therefore, almost in all the newspaper units Indian machines are working. Import of these machines is negligible. From this, it is clear that if quality sheet-fed and allied machines will be produced, the Indian printers will definitely go for these.
Further, he told that since, no member of IPAMA is manufacturing the digital offset and top end quality sheetfed machine, and even the post press machinery manufactured is sub-standard as compared to the imported machines, Offset Printers’ Association strongly object to this move of IPAMA.
He added as India is not self-sufficient in making printing machines and moreover is not even matching even the standards of the used machines being imported from abroad, such a move will be detrimental for the 25,000 printing units spread across the length and breadth of the country.
Giving examples, Chopra said that all the offset machines, folding machines, cutting machines etc are imported by the printers from outside as they not available in India and in case restriction on the import of second-hand machines is imposed, it will be difficult for the printing units to survive as one cannot afford to buy a branch new imported machine while India is a good market of second hand machines. Kamal Chopra added that there is phenomenal market for the export of printing services. The global export of printed material during the year 2013 was $71 billion and we are expecting it to reach $90 billion by 2015. It is possible only with the quality machines and in case any restrictions are imposed not only the Indian market will suffer but there is possibility of declining in the export of printed material also.
He said Indian manufacturers are making the clones of the imported machines since they do not take care of going in for latest technology to make the similar machines with which printers do fine printing and compete with international printers as well. He added 2,50,000 printers of India, OPA, North India Printers Associations and even AIFMP will oppose this move by tooth and nail as this will affect the printing and packaging industry of the country.
Among others, vice-president Kushal Jain, secretary Gagandeep Singh, treasurer Hans Raj Chopra, executive members Ramit Saxena, Parvesh Jagga, Anoop Jain, Amarjot Arora and Saurabh Jain were also present.
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