At the recently concluded PackPlus event in New Delhi, BST eltromat India launched a new automation division for machine manufacturers and users for automating various process work-flows, and displayed a 2-drive automation panel for label slitting and inspection machines. “The panel displayed here is manufactured at BST’s Anand plant with the technical support of an Italian company,” said Vikrant Jairath, general manager – automation. “The logic and software programme that we are developing for this panel can help label converters fix issues related to tension control, rewinding, etc.”

“Initially we plan to make automation solutions for printing and converting machines such as rotogravure press, solventless lamination, slitter rewinder and other kinds of machines, but in the future we may extend automation solutions to the rubber and steel industries as well” he shared.

Tapan Patel, managing director of BST eltromat India, added, “Automation is a new vertical that we have started. In doing so, we have become, not just in India but maybe the world, the first company that provides its customers a single window shopping for all the products that are used in a converting machine. For example, we manufacture almost everything that is required for this – right from tension control, register control, viscosity to inspection system. Until now the only missing part was automation, which have been addressed. This will allow us to integrate all our products together and control everything from a single platform/interface.”

In addition to the technical collaboration with the Italy-based company, BST eltromat India has hired a team with experience in the automation industry to drive the new division. “We will utilize the experience of all these people to produce smart and integrated solutions,” Patel said. “The division will not only aim at the Indian market, but also overseas markets.” According to Patel, they expect the automation division to be a 50 crore unit in five years.

— Devaleena Joardar