Established in 1978, Echaar Group has delivered cost-efficient indigenous equipment to diverse manufacturing sectors, such as defense, atomic energy, hydro energy, windmill energy, oil and gas, construction equipment, and the printing industry. They are the market leader in providing low-cost and technologically advance solutions to the industry.
After their successful installation of the first CI Flexo press, FLEXODELIGHT, in Kalyani Packaging in Kolkata. Echaar Equipments is the manufacturer of FLEXOSMART – An advance CI Flexo offered at a budget cost. For more update, Labels Flexibles and More spoke to Mr.Kirti Panchal, Managing Director of Echaar Equipments
The Pillars of the company
Kirti Panchal and Ramesh Panchal (brothers) are the Echaar Equipment Pvt. Ltd. promoters, which was started in 1996, although their parent company was formed in 1978. Echaar is a highly professional company wherein all the functions are segregated as per the specialized team.
The Tie-up
Echaar has initiated the manufacturing of CI Flexo presses in collaboration with an Italian company CTSRLS. The Managing Director of CTSRLS is Mr.Cloudio Majio, whose head office is based in Verona, Italy.
“Mr.Cloudio Maggio was the founder and ex-director of Uteco, and in his entire career, he has evolved many printing presses like CI Flexo, Rotogravure, Gravure equipment, etc. We are glad to be associated with him; Echaar is hugely benefitted from his rich experience,” says Kirti Panchal.
Evolution of FLEXOSMART
Initially, Echaar had launched two series of machines, FLEXODELIGHT and FLEXOMASTER. The FLEXODELIGHT is offered with 300 /400 / 500 MPM speed variations, whereas FLEXOMASTER is offered with speed capabilities of 500 MPM and 600 MPM. Both are gearless machines.
“Over a while, when we started meeting different convertors in the industry and understood their preferences. We realized that we need to build a machine that is value for money and bestows fine quality printing. With that thought, last year on Vishwakarma Jayanti, we have launched FLEXOSMART – A budget cost CI Flexo press for convertors who want to switch over from Gravure to Flexo.” He adds.
FLEXOSMART an entry-level machine with speed variants of 200 MPM and 300 MPM. It has the gear and non-gear options.
A Service Oriented Company
“We are a customer-centric company; we do not offer standard machines; rather, we analyze the requirement of the customer and offer machines that best suits their need so that they optimize investment with a limited budget. Furthermore, we are happy to assist the customer at all stages, even post-installation.”
“After the installation in Kalyani Packaging, there are much inquiry coming for machines, and we expect more orders to substantiate after lock-down. Positively, we are expecting three orders FLEXOSMART very shortly.” Says Kirti.
The Diversification
“In India, the packaging companies are doing very well because even though in pandemic there are many companies who have understood their future requirements and have upgraded their production facility with new machines, although some companies are still affected in a pandemic, however, most of the companies are doing well.”
“Recently, we have ventured into one more vertical of business. We have started providing service support to printing companies. It is a new vertical of business, for which we have hired several experienced engineers, who will offer AMC’s too interested companies. They will offer their services during the break-down of machines; advise up-gradation, do regular check-ups, etc. With minimum investment, a convertor can upgrade their production facility, eliminate break-down and downtime, and eventually enhance their production. Since we are in the manufacturing business, we can support all the companies with spares as well. Our motive is not selling machinery but to serve the industry with the best equipment; we are not worried about the sale that will gradually grow.”
“We are also offering standalone equipment and accessories like semi-automatic and automatic Pressure Plate Mounter system; indigenously developed, cost-effective Auto Wash system; Solventless Lamination machine; gearless Stack Flexo and many more. We are the One-Stop-Solution for all the printing and converting companies who require high standard equipment at low cost.” Explains Kirti
Industry Forecast
“India has immense potential for packaging because the per capita consumption of packaging in India is far lower when compared with the developed nation like the US. Every day you see something new coming in packaging product that is more sustainable. The industry is slowly moving towards sustainable packaging, and CI Flexo is the answer for sustainable packaging.
“Government has understood the need of FMCG and has allowed them to run their business even during lock-down. So many improvements are coming in the CI Flexo sector; there is advancement in spares and consumables like plates, inks, substrates, etc. Also, water-based inks are doing good. So there are many improvements coming in CI flexo.”
Many companies have started manufacturing indigenous parts where earlier it was imported from other Nations. Now we get best quality ‘Made in India’ Anilox Rollers, Plates, Sleeves, etc., which is a positive sign for the industry.” Explains Kirti
WHY CI Flexo
The printing cost and the conversion cost in CI Flexo press is less, and the ROI is fast.
Short-Run jobs are one of the most significant advantages of CI Flexo, with many substrate capabilities. CI Flexo press performance can be checked from the printers that are already using in CI Flexo. In addition, a quick Change-over is possible in the machine.
“CI flexo is compact in size in comparision with Gravure. It is a versatile machine. The most specialty of CI flexo machines is the registration; it has a big common impression drum against which all the printing stations are placed. This makes printing polyethylene and other stretchable materials easier at high speed of 300- to 600-m/min with excellent registration and print quality.” Kriti Explains.
The First Installation
Echaar had installed their first CI Flexo machine in Kalyani Packaging in Kolkata. Kalyani Packaging is one of the most reputed and well-known printers in Eastern India.
“We are delighted to have Kalyani Packaging as our first customer. We are always ready to support Kalyani Packaging. Shortly, they will be organizing an open house and inviting the industry to visit their new plant, which will be a good opportunity for industry convertors to see the technology.”
“After installing FLEXODELIGHT HL 400 in Kalyani Packaging, we received an order for FLEXODELIGHT HL 400 CI press and for FLEXODELIGHT EL 300 CI press. Many inquiries are coming for machines, and we expect more orders to substantiate after lockdown. Positively, we are expecting three orders FLEXOSMART very shortly.” Kriti Concludes.
