The Power List — P–T

Pranav Bhalara joined Balaji Multiflex in 2007, five years after his father set it up to address the packaging requirements of the parent company — Balaji Wafers. Today, the Rajkot-based flexible packaging specialist produces 110-tonnes of packaging material per day, more than three times the production output in 2018. What very few know is Balaji Multiflex had spent Rs 120-crore to set up its greenfield project. The entire plant was constructed in a single phase rather than in stages. With new investments (including an HP Indigo kit) and plans, Balaji is positioned for growth, with an anticipated turnover of over Rs 600-crore.

Pranav Joshi established the company in 1994 alongside his brother Vimal. From being a commercial printer to a packaging specialist, Joshi has steered TPPL toward specialising in pharmaceutical packaging to become one of the ten most promising food and beverage packaging companies (in 2020). Under his leadership, TPPL has fostered strong client relationships, with the top five customers representing 38.26% of sales in FY23. The company has four plants, one each in Daman, Baddi, Hyderabad, and Indore. The plant in Indore produces child-resistant HDPE bottles, forecasting revenue growth from Rs 11.73-crore in FY23 to Rs 20-crore in FY24, indicating a promising future under Joshi's direction.

A second-generation entrepreneur, Tikmani started with a brownfield project in the corrugation business in 1994. Showcasing excellence in the corrugation business for more than 25 years, he was the key initiator in expanding the company to produce 3,500-mt per month, making TGI Packaging one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of corrugated boxes. Expert in warehouse division projects, Tikmani has a strong relationship with raw material partners both domestic and global.

Lots happening at Swiss Pac’s two plants at Dabhasa in Vadodara. In addition to investments in flexo, the group is shaking up the digital packaging world with the recent acquisition of the HP Indigo 200K. Prashant Vachhani’s vision? To empower small and medium businesses with customisable packaging. Swiss Pac is also pioneering eco-friendly innovations like SwissLoop, WasteMade, and PlantMade which offer sustainable, recyclable, and compostable options to combat plastic waste.

Chennai-based master of flexo. Rajendra Mehta's father started the business. Today, the group is one of the pioneers in flexographic technology. Two things one must know about Multiflex. One: Producing award-winning jobs. Two: Multiflex is a 100% CI flexo user as well as creating interesting new structures. For instance, a PE+PE laminate structure for ready-to-use food packaging.

Parksons Packaging took home the top award of the night, the prestigious PrintWeek Company of the Year Award in 2024. The company transformed in 2021 following a majority stake acquisition by US-based private equity firm Warburg Pincus. Since then, it has been on a roll in the mono-carton space, asserting its dominance with gusto. Ramesh Kejriwal underscored the company's commitment to corporate governance, compliance, and safety measures and acknowledged the 2,500 superheroes who create the packaging magic in his company.

The Daman-based packaging specialists have a fleet of eight CI presses that run the show. The group has 25 years of expertise and delivers over 36,000-mt per year of high-quality recyclable films to the packaging industry. Their products include barrier films and pouches (Nylon & EVOH), shrink films, thermoforming films, PE/PE laminates, and specialised packaging for food and FMCG. The company takes great pride in producing stand-ups and side-seal pouches using advanced seven-layer blown films and 10-colour CI flexographic print.

One of India’s largest corrugated box manufacturers, Meghdoot employs European technology and has a 24x6-day production operation and a fleet of 150+ trucks to ensure timely delivery. The company’s 14-acre manufacturing campus has a production capacity of converting 12,000-mt of paper per month. Rohit Kapoor has designed a manufacturing transformational journey from being a product company to becoming a technology-driven brand that creates customer-centric solutions.

Roy is quite reticent. Informed, knowledgeable and willing to take up a challenge. He is a confirmed workaholic. He has ensured that Amcor, the global packaging solutions provider, march on in India. In 2023, the group inked a deal to acquire India-based flexible packaging company Phoenix Flexibles. Amcor has multiple flexible packaging plants in India and delivered healthy sales growth over the last few years.

Rrajesh Khosla joined AGI Greenpac in 2018 bringing over three decades of experience in manufacturing, specifically from the steel industry. The group has been in investment mode to boost its production capabilities in high-quality glass packaging solutions. The speciality glass plant in Bhongir, Telangana, has been fully operational since January 2023. When Team WhatPackaging? met Khosla, he mentioned how AGI Greenpac is expanding its reach beyond India's borders in addition to establishing itself as a main force in the Indian glass packaging landscape.

Saket Kanoria always prepares for a meeting and knows how to leverage a good idea. He has an appetite to invest for growth. Strong in customer relationships and gets into details. TCPL has announced plans to establish a greenfield facility in Southern India. This strategic expansion will boost TCPL's pan-India presence. Under his leadership, TCPL has experienced a remarkable rate of growth.

Jupiter Laminators, established in 2003 by Sandeep Bajaj, boasts a workforce of 500 and a turnover exceeding USD 85-million. The company’s expansion plans include new printing machines, an aluminium foil stock production project in Jammu, and impressive green initiatives like thermic fluid filters and water-based inks. Its Sonipat facility has increased production capacity to 1,800 metric tonnes per month, and its printed 3D and 2D pouches are 100% recyclable and mimic the appearance of Kraft paper, reflecting the company's commitment to sustainability and innovation.

Jhaveri Flexo is among the top and perhaps most renowned names in the flexible packaging ecosystem. Established in 1998 by Sandeep Jhaveri, the group specialises in the production of flexible laminates and pouches. The group is in the news for its strategic partnership with Chennai-based Prakash Flexibles. As per Jhaveri, "The transaction will bolster the customer roster as well as expand the manufacturing footprint of the group." This means scaling up in both the domestic and export markets.

Sanjay Bhatia has ensured that HTW is one of the top metal packaging companies in India. A man of many parts, Bhatia was the president of the MSME section at the PHD Chamber of Commerce for a decade. Thanks to his contacts with sources in the ministry he has boosted the fortunes of the packaging industry. A voice of sanity at many industry forums. Bhatia's message for the industry, “Refuse what you do not need; reduce what you do need; reuse what you consume; recycle what you cannot refuse, reduce, or reuse.”

Shailesh Sheth's journey began when a cousin approached him about learning screen printing. By 1983, Sheth, alongside his brother, founded a family enterprise named Stick Plast. His response to a request for polybags propelled him into the garment industry. In the 2000s, he ventured into shrink sleeves and founded Kris Flexipacks in 2007. Today, the group aims to adopt global standard-compliant manufacturing practices plus unveil an investment plan.

Last year, JK Paper acquired Manipal Utility Packaging Solutions. Before that, the paper and packaging board major had acquired Horizon Packs and Securipax Packaging. With all this, JK did a smart bit of technology integration and became a leader in corrugated packaging manufacturing with seven plants across India. In all this, Kashi has kept a low profile but he is the man who oversees the ops. The stakes, after all, are too high. With a USD 3.3 trillion economy, India's box demand requires  8.5 million tonnes. And so, with a USD 5 trillion economy, the requirement will be 18 million tonnes.

Venkataraman has been busy. Two of his pet themes while addressing industry leaders are sustainability and packaging differentiation. He told WhatPackaging? that historically, sectors such as liquor and tobacco have set the standards in packaging aesthetics, and contributed to ITC's success in winning 80% of awards for innovative packaging effects. The remaining 20% to 25% of accolades were attributed to structural advancements. He outlined the need for integrating more sustainable materials without compromising functionality. “To transition to a more circular economy, we must focus on mono-material solutions that can be efficiently collected and processed in recovery facilities." Wise words, as always.