The late 1970s and early 1980s were a time of great change for consumer brand packaging in India. Tinplate cans or glass jars were the popular packaging choice, and Metal Box was a leading packaging company at that time. Very few people knew at the time that within Metal Box was a tiny start-up business unit known as Kosmek Plastics. Unlike the rest of Metal Box, this unit was almost a ‘one-man show’ managed by a business dynamo called OB. His full name was Onkar Banerjee, but people preferred to call him OB, perhaps partly because it went well with MB of Metal Box.
OB brought the energy and derring-do required from a ‘plastics man’ of those times to meet the technical and business challenges faced in converting traditional glass packaging to molded plastics. As Lakshman Kanuga, a former MB colleague, puts it, “OB-da shall always live in our memory for his awesome packaging development of Pond’s Cold Cream, Lakmé Creams, Afghan Snow, Kissan Jam Tubs, and many other products. A tribute to OB-da will be incomplete without a mention of the personal rapport he commanded from the then who’s who in the cosmetics and personal care business segments – such as the ever so elegant Simone Tata at Lakmé; or the comparatively more grounded Patanwala at Afghan Snow; or the ‘no-nonsense’ Narayan at Ponds. It would be fair to say that the early transition from glass packaging to molded plastics was steered by OB-da – single handed!”
A similar sentiment is echoed by almost everyone who had the opportunity of interacting with OB, in those days. OB had a knack of sparking energy and enthusiasm, just as easily with senior business leaders or with the machine man on the shop floor. Many of his former colleagues described him as a ‘fun person’ or ‘a person ever willing to help.’
My own association with OB continued well after my MB days, to my time in Dabur India, where he provided technical consultancy. Similarly, in later years, he continued to share his knowledge and experience as a technical consultant to Brooke Bond Lipton and DGP Windsor, where he was instrumental in developing the packaging for Nissin Ready-to-Eat Cup-o-Noodles.
Despite his increasing years and some health issues, O Banerjee was a welcome and familiar figure on the conferencing and training network. He generously gave his time to several institutions like IIP, IIT, CIPET, IPI and UCIT, as a speaker or visiting faculty. His immense contributions to developing plastic raw materials and packaging standards are evidence of his dedication and passion for the industry. Several individuals who achieved professional renown in India and overseas can trace their beginnings to the mentorship they received from OB.
Perhaps one such individual who may be mentioned is his son, Sriman, who graduated from IIP and went on to work in leading packaging positions and now heads the packaging portfolio at Takeda Pharmaceuticals in the USA.
OB passed away in early March, after a short illness. He is dearly missed for the pioneering spirit and good cheer he brought to many of our lives.
May his soul be in peace.
− Deepak Manchanda 14.04.24
Excellent Article : specially on Onkar Banerjee, whom we all respected, as our elder brother and adored, for his silent, yet indomitable spirits for perfection, through training and challenges, to youngsters, including our son, whom he energised to play cricket, with the likes of Tendulkar & Kumble.
His memories would be cherished forever and his son, Sreeman, is surely trying to fulfill His Mission.
Deepak ji in your profile you missed mentioning your association with Metal Box.
Thanks for pointing it out, Satish ji. Yes, those early years in Mumbai, with Metal Box, Central Design Services, headed by the very distinguished Mr Hasan Taj, were the best years!