Bobst, known globally for its leadership in printing and converting equipment and services for folding cartons, corrugated, flexible, and label production, is about to take a big step forward in India with the launch of a new manufacturing plant in Pune. At IndiaCorr Expo 2024 in Mumbai, Cyril Ruiz-Moise, the company’s general manager and regional business director for Asia Pacific, spoke to Packaging South Asia about how this expansion is part of Bobst’s broader strategy for Asia, with India playing a central role.
Bobst’s new manufacturing plant near Pune image: BobstRuiz-Moise said Bobst has always believed in getting ahead by investing early in key regions, including South America and Asia. With an already strong presence in Pune, with the existing factory built in 2003, this new plant in 2024 is the next natural step in the company’s long-term vision. The new facility, located close to Bobst’s existing site, will focus on producing equipment for the flexible and corrugated board industry. Its main focus would be to manufacture Vacuum Metallizer VISION K5 series producing metalized films and flexo folder gluers (FFG) range to produce brown regular slotted container (RSC) corrugated boxes to begin with.
The company recently acquired a manufacturer of flexo printer slotters and flexo folder gluers in South Korea by the name CnS, which now has become Bobst Korea Co. Ltd. Bobst then opened a new manufacturing site in the southern city of Busan in South Korea, which opened its doors in July 2024.
However, Ruiz-Moise made it clear that this venture is about much more than just building a factory. “This project isn’t just about building a new facility; it’s about introducing new products to the market in the affordable range,” he said. These new FFG machines from its recent acquisition of a company in South Korea CnS will now be also produced in India. The expansion is also aimed at tapping into both the growing Indian market and export opportunities, particularly in Southeast Asia.
On why Pune was chosen for this significant investment, Ruiz-Moise highlighted the advantages of the location. The city offers access to a skilled workforce and has strong management capabilities, which Bobst has already been leveraging for years. “We already have a deep-rooted history in Pune, producing folder gluer machines for folding cartons for many years and also downstream modules of FFG lines for the corrugated board industry. This extension allows us to build on that foundation, making our production more localized,” he added.
India: A market with promising potential
Ruiz-Moise pointed out that India has been one of the company’s largest markets in the Asia-Pacific region for several years. While the new Pune plant will primarily focus on serving India, it will also serve markets in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Ruiz-Moise noted that while India’s corrugated packaging industry may not yet be as advanced as some others, it’s quickly catching up. The country’s rapid industrial growth and booming eCommerce sector are driving technological advancements in packaging. He believes that automation and digitalization will soon play a key role in transforming the industry, similar to the changes in mature markets and China over the past two decades.
“Automation is the next logical step, and India is perfectly positioned to adopt these more sophisticated solutions,” Ruiz-Moise explained. He envisions a future where machines communicate with each other seamlessly through cloud-based platforms and IoT systems, leading to fully automated packaging workflow and logistics processes with end-to-end solutions.
What lies ahead
The first Vacuum metallizers from the new Pune facility are expected to be delivered in 2024, with production ramping up thereafter. The FFG lines would commence in 2025. Although Ruiz-Moise did not reveal specific production targets, he hinted that output would be ramped up slowly, with plenty of room for growth. “The sky’s the limit,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bobst continues to strengthen its position in other markets. These expansions will enable Bobst to expand its production and reach in India and the surrounding regions, solidifying its standing as a global leader in packaging innovation.
