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“India has eyes, ears of all major packaging companies in world”
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Saturday, 02 June, 2012, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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fiogf49gjkf0d  Veripack Solutions India is a 100% subsidiary of F.N.C SpA Group, Italy, which started in 1927. F.N.C Fabbrica Nazionale Cilindri SpA was founded in Milan and has many years of experience in industrial machining. Today the group has diversified activities, which include the Veripack Packaging Division in the packaging machinery domain. Franco Gornati, MD and CEO, F.N.C SpA Group, in a conversation with Anurag More talks about India being his focus market and trends in the industry in India and abroad
Brief us about your company and your products.
Veripack Solutions India is the 100% Indian subsidiary of F.N.C – SpA, Italy. F.N.C SpA Group is in operations since 1927 and today is run by third generation entrepreneurs. The group manufactures the best niche packaging machines of the “Veripack" brand Roll-stock Horizontal Thermoforming Machines & Veripack brand Tray Sealers. The head office & factory is in Cislago, which is around 30 km from Milan city, Italy. The group has more than 50 years of expertise in building packaging machines.
How big is the packaging machinery industry in the F&B segment in India?
For the kind of machines we manufacture, the market today is not so big, it is a starting market, this is the reason we want to be present here. We want to introduce our new products here and our company has a good future and we want customer satisfaction. In a growing market like India, it is very important to introduce our products. The after-sales service is also very important for us.
How different is the Indian market for packaging machinery compared to other markets across the world?
With the type of growth curves that India is riding in the food processing sector it is very imminent that there will be very good demand for high quality packaging machines which can add greater value to the packed product. In the last decade, we saw the Indian markets graduating from basic packaging machinery requirements to value-added niche packaging. Today, India has the eyes and ears of all the major packaging companies in the world who are now willing to understand the intricacies of the product, process and specific packaging process required.
Also the Indian market is booming, so once the market is booming, you use simpler machines and application. You must be ready to give right solution to customers. We provide customised products as per our customers’ need. This market is much different from other markets and there are enormous understanding of the market has to be learnt. One has to learn the products, processes and the add value to the food manufacturer. Veripack will be looking at the larger picture to partner the Indian manufacturer in the long run.
Do you have products for all the segments in the food and beverage sector?
We have the best machines for the food segment. We have products for cheese, meat, vegetables, sandwiches, pastas, etc. Our products also differ from every region, like European countries will need different products as per requirements, same products can't be used in India. One needs to understand the needs of the market.
Also the benefits of using our products are enormous, not only the enhanced product shelf life, but product integrity, high convenience factor, high aesthetic quality packs will ensure that our customers can stay top of their markets and have delightful customers in the supply chain end.
Who are your clients in India?
We have good clients in India with whom we are excited to work with. Our Veripack Roll-stock Thermoform – Fill – Seal machines are now catering to few special industry segments like frozen foods, ready meals and Indian ethnic snack foods.
What new technologies are being seen in the Indian F&B packaging industry?
The Indian market is witnessing enormous changes and this sector will also be moving from basic packaging to more mature packaging for sure. We are now speaking about more niche packaging machinery requirement. Now the Indian customers would like to have the popular formats of the developed countries like MAP packaging, vacuum packaging, etc. Such special packaging formats have a direct co-relation to the product shelf life, aesthetic look of the final pack etc.
Niche packaging will play a special role in the retail space also there is a war among the branded quality products. Our “Veripack Roll-stock Thermoform – Fill – Seal Machinery Technology” and “Veripack Tray Sealers” will help the Indian customers to be ahead of their competitors and ensure the best quality, value-added packaging to their customers.
What is Roll-stock Thermoform-Fill-Seal Machinery Technology?
Roll-stock Thermoform – Fill – Seal Technology is one of the most mature pack formats widely used in the West to have enhanced shelf life ensuring packed product integrity and also combined with high aesthetics. Generally, the machine would use two continuous rolls of film, which would be the lower thermoform-able film & the upper lidding film.
These Roll-stock Thermoform – Fill – Seal machines were originally designed as vacuum-packaging machines to package ham, bacon or sausages. The meat industry initially used a lot of such machines & soon became standard proven packaging machinery for the industry as this concept gave the best product integrity for the highly sensitive meat product. So this packaging system is the most proven & best for high product shelf life & product packaging. We believe such packaging will add high value to the final pack product.
What challenges do you face in India, and how do you overcome those?
Challenges in the Indian markets are enormous for sure. No doubt the Indian market is huge but there are many challenges we have to overcome. Challenges in market fragmentation are huge, we find there are many different markets inside one big India, market is very price-sensitive, foreign technology today is still looked with suspicion, etc.
But to overcome these challenges we are gearing up but being as close as possible to the markets and customers. We would like to understand them, hear them, be with them and learn with them. Hence the right type of communication to the Indian market about Veripack’s intentions to be here for the long haul is on to overcome these challenges.
What new trends and opportunities are we likely to see in the Indian F&B packaging industry in the years to come?
The Indian F&B packaging industry is in a very dynamic status and we see the best opportunities for our technology. Our Veripack Roll-stock Thermoform – Fill – Seal machines are now catering to few special industry segments like frozen foods, ready meals and Indian ethnic snack foods.
The benefits as we updated are enormous, not only the enhanced product shelf life, but product integrity, high convenience factor, high aesthetic quality packs will ensure that our customers can stay top of their markets and have delightful customers in the supply chain end.
Tell us about your company's plans for expansion, diversification, collaboration, etc.
We have started our Indian operations late last year with the opening of our 100% subsidiary office “Veripack Solutions India.” The office is run by country manager with ably supported staff. The Indian operations director with more than30 years of expertise in niche thermoform
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