Jammu-based Solar Printers opted for the Bobst Ambition 76 A1 folder-gluer to expand its post-press portfolio. “The folder-gluer is proving to be very robust and technically sound. We can run specially designed cartons and complex, intricate jobs very easily on the machine,” said Manoj Wadhera, managing director at Solar Printers.
Wadhera added, “We are based in a remote location and as a result, after-sales service was a big challenge for us. Bobst has a vast and quick after-sales service network across India compared to all other available options in the market.
“Another important reason to choose Bobst was the great experience of its process engineers to provide lifetime technical support to ensure machine performance, which no other manufacturer in the market can offer. The brand value of Bobst will also help us to provide our customers with confidence in our ability to consistently provide high-quality packaging.”
Able to handle most materials and box styles, Bobst Ambition is pre-equipped with two complementary devices for crash-lock bottoms and 4- and 6-corner boxes.
Solar Printers was established in 1989 by Rakesh Wadhera with a treadle printing press. In 2001, the company installed its first mini offset printing press and in 2017, the Wadhera family diversified to packaging printing, alongside its existing commercial print production facility.
“Our anticipation for packaging was completely right and we were on the right track, but the nationwide lockdown delayed our plans and meant that we only began running the machines and production in October 2020,” Wadhera said.
The company has invested around Rs 10-crore in the last two years. This includes greenfield expansions and machinery, including the new Bobst Ambition 76 A1 folder-gluer and a Bobst SP 102 die-cutter. The packaging unit converts around 500-tonnes of board per month and the capacity is around 700 tonnes. A team of 70 people is employed, working 8-12 hour shifts per day. In anticipation of future expansion, the company has also acquired another 30,000-sq ft of land.
“Right now, we are operating two units – one dedicated to commercial printing and the other for packaging,” Wadhera said. “Our geography has enough potential. The government of Jammu & Kashmir provides relaxation on freight as well. We are serving our clients in Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, and other neighboring states.”