Packing in the Profits
Packing in the Profits

Providing total packaging solutions, Ashok Gourish, Head, Packaging Technology, Bosch Limited shares the inception, growth and success of Bosch.

 

Retailer: How are you affected by the plastic ban imposed by the Indian Government?

Ashok Gourish (AG): We are not really affected by the plastic ban imposed by the Government. Plastic in packaging is something which no one can avoid. No one can straightaway move from plastic to paper overnight. Plastic, being a cheaper medium has a lot of advantage – it gives protection to the products and brings some uniqueness to packaging. On the other hand, as a manufacturer, we are more environment-focused and concerned about recyclable plastic products, as we have certain onus towards the environment. We put in lots of efforts in R&D to meet the norms specified in India, and being the market leader, we ensure that our packaging contains the least quantity of plastic.

 

Retailer: Please elaborate about the diversity of your equipments for packaging.

AG: Bosch International manufactures machineries for three packaging verticals – agriculture, confectionaries (& chocolates) and foods. In addition, Bosch also caters to the cosmetic sector. In India, we prepare packaging machinery for foods, primarily catering to many multi-national and local companies who are into food market. We are also supplying equipments for packaging to non-food related companies like cement, seed and pesticides. When it comes to confectionaries, we are supplying solutions to candy-wrappers. Some of our clients are ITC, Kellogg's, Parle, Grasim Cement, Glaxo, Britannia, Tata Salt, Pidilite, Marico et al.

 

Retailer: While designing a packaging, what parameters should be observed?

AG : Packagings are configured as per customer’s demands. So, customer demand and cost effectiveness are the chief considerations for designing packages.  However, these should be environment-friendly too.

 

Retailer: What was the last annual turnover of Bosch in India and globally?

AG: Bosch India has witnessed an annual turnover of Rs 400 million this year, whereas, globally Bosch has attained Rs 700 million Euro revenue. We want to close with Rs 500 million by the end of the present fiscal year.

 

Retailer: What kind of competition do you face from your competitors?

AG : In India, there are many entrepreneurial businesses present in the market for more than 25-30 years, but we don’t see any multi-national player having a big manufacturing unit like us . This is a fragmented segment, where many players are operating,  but still the sector is yet to achieve a certain height.

Abroad, the scenario is a bit different. There are also several small and big established players, but they are specialised in certain category of packaging, say, one company is expert in confectionary, the other one in agricultural products. They are basically regional and product-niche players. But Bosch has got a wide spectrum. We are not only in packaging, but we provide total packaging solution.  We are also into process equipment manufacturing. Our range is pretty wide. Our new product SVI 2620 which has been launched recently gives an innovative packaging solution, which would give good visibility to the merchandise on the shelf in retail outlets.

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