HP's goal is to build a HP Indigo press in India

Haim Levit along with Nachum Korman, vice president, Worldwide Industrial Print GTM; and Arnon Goldman, general manager, Industrial Print GTM - Asia Pacific and Japan, were in India to meet customers and HP Indigo experts at a Mumbai hotel during a three day forum. The event, intended to boost the confidence of HP Indigo digital print specialists in the labels, folding carton and flexible packaging markets, saw the OEM host motivational talks, tech sessions as well as existing customers were invited to share their experiences.

During a press briefing, Levit touched upon several key issues such as recovery in the labelling sector with 6-7% growth, surge in the commercial space, and how 2024 will be better than 2023. This quarter, HP has witnessed a rebound in the market, and is optimistic about its print prospects.

Levit mentioned the roll out of the Indigo V12 and Indigo 200K digital presses for the first time at Labelexpo Europe in Brussels. He mentioned how HP sold 60 units at the Brussels show. He said, the Indigo V12 is currently completing its beta phase and there are totally five beta sites. When asked a question about the V12 he said, "With the HP Indigo V12 digital press, converters can shift to an ‘Indigo first’ mindset, leading to optimal efficiency, sustainability, and a mid-web solution for flexible packaging print. He told WhatPackaging? magazine, “HP’s main goal is to ensure the market understands what the company aims to deliver in the labelling and packaging space, which has high potential in the Indian market. Thereby, HP will continue to invest in India.”

But the big news was his announcement about HP investing in India. Responding to a question by WhatPackaging? magazine, he said, “We will shift to a full press to cater to the Indian market, and also broaden worldwide. In the next five years, HP will open a third site.” Already, HP is running a hub for spare parts and moving assemblies from a sustainable and hardware standpoint.

Levit was bullish about the future of print; and outlined the offerings at the HP stall during Drupa 2024, from 28 May to 7 June. He said, The key is to create new and existing products which are more sustainable, flexible, and high quality. The packaging industry has an opportunity to show the same level of innovation and forward-thinking progress with inclusivity and accessibility as it has done with sustainability so far and adapting to unforeseen disruption.

The main theme of his press briefing was: an Indigo-first mindset. Levit felt, "Converters need to act today." In real terms this means, in the coming years, the production floor of a converter will be a combination of HP Indigo 6K, the backbone of digital printing, the HP Indigo V12 running at 120m/min or the HP Indigo 8K for smaller converters and an Indigo 25K for larger label, pouches and shrink sleeves.

Levit concluded, “At HP, we look forward to communicating and collaborating with our customers. Also, partnering with business owners to foster trust and association.”