TechNova inaugurates TOUCH Center in Mumbai

TechNova inaugurated its TOUCH Center at Turbhe, Navi Mumbai in January 2023. The TOUCH Center will have HP Indigo 6K digital press running live and will offer a complete experience of HP Indigo digital printing technology.

Both print service providers, as well as brand owners, will be able to explore new applications and business growth opportunities.

TOUCH is an acronym for TechNova Open University for Change. Launched in 1996, the primary objective of TOUCH is to offer the Indian print industry a platform for learning new skills, experiencing new technology and achieving operational excellence by adopting the latest trends in the industry.

A learning hub

An extension of HP’s Graphic Experience Center in Alpharetta, Barcelona and Singapore, TechNova TOUCH Center will provide services including demonstration of HP Indigo technology, new application development for PSPs and brands, and educational sessions for print-packaging students.

Pranav Parikh, CMD of TechNova, says: ‘Our journey in digital printing started in 1993 with our alliance with HP Indigo for marketing their presses in India. Soon thereafter, HP acquired the Indigo business, and aligned the capabilities of the press to suit customer needs.’

The TOUCH Center will also provide learning initiatives and training programs.

A Appadurai, country business manager – Indigo and inkjet business solutions at HP says: ‘Our mission is to provide a level playing field for the startups and SMBs in high-quality world-class printed packaging. Today HP Indigo converters cater to about 10,000 such startups.’

This aligns with the Indian government’s focus on supporting startups. The number of registered startups in India has grown from 4,000 in 2016 to 92,000 today, presenting a significant opportunity for converters.

Appadurai adds that the TOUCH Center will also be used to train students to help address the labor challenges the industry is currently facing. The manufacturer will also open the center to brands to explore what’s possible with labels and packaging. The idea is that this will lead to new customers for converters. He says that any converter today who has multiple conventional presses will need a digital press in three to five years because of the changing landscape and print runs coming down.

Amit Khurana, deputy CEO – digital and offset print solutions at TechNova, says: ‘HP’s strategy to create an ecosystem of printers, brand owners, profitable applications and partners is unique. HP’s futuristic technology fits in perfectly with TechNova’s business strategy of focusing on customers’ needs to enhance their profitability.’

Parikh adds that investing in the machine is one part of the process toward growth. Customers also need a roadmap that involves control over their operations, consistency of quality and continuous improvement. The new center will help customers develop these business strategies.

Sustainable print technology

HP also highlights the sustainability benefits of digital print, including reduced chemicals use, power consumption and material waste. ‘Around 28 percent of print packaging material never sees the product,’ Appadurai says.

Parikh adds that India’s export market is growing as international companies look for partners and expand their presence here. The packaging industry in India has seen high investment rates in the last two years. Export opportunities also increase with the capability of printing variable data.

‘There are 54 countries in Europe and they have multiple government regulations and languages. And they are small populations. A lot of work for them is short-run,’ he says.

The government of Nepal has installed two HP Indigo 6K presses for security printing.