S Kumar sees strong momentum in offset-flexo hybrid technology

Established in 1981 in Ahmedabad, India, S Kumar Multiproducts began its journey as a converter before partnering with Zonten, based in China, as its distributor in India. This journey started in 2004, and since then, it has continued without pause.

The company experienced a groundbreaking year, achieving the highest number of flexo and intermittent offset Zonten installations in 2024.

Driving force
According to S Kumar, intermittent offset and flexo printing are gaining popularity due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness and ability to handle a wide range of substrates. Flexo printing, in particular, is seeing increased adoption for packaging and labeling applications due to its speed, adaptability and suitability for both short and long print runs.

‘We believe the short-run flexible packaging market is undergoing a shift,’ says Manish Hansoti, managing director at S Kumar Multiproducts. ‘The new standard for presses is now between 450 and 680mm web width, with large repeat sizes, particularly suited for 12-micron film printing. While gravure still dominates this segment, accounting for nearly 95 percent of the market, the shift has begun. More players are now exploring offset, flexo and digital technologies for short- to medium-run jobs such as pouches, sachets, shrink sleeves and other film-based applications.’

According to Hansoti, the reason for the recent increase in demand for offset is that as the width of the material increases, flexo costs increase substantially, making it unviable for small to medium runs, especially in flexible packaging and IML products. Digital printing also becomes expensive after a certain small quantity is reached.

Zonten and S Kumar’s recent successes include the installation of an offset-flexo hybrid press at Avon FPP in Ahmednagar. This government-funded organization selected Zonten via S Kumar after evaluating several vendors. The press features delam-relam capabilities, turn bar, cold foil, lamination and die-cutting. The machine has a width of 560mm, enabling it to print a wide variety of jobs, and offers production speeds of up to 150m/min.

“We are bullish about the Indian market. As India’s economy continues to grow at a rapid pace, the packaging machinery sector is reaching new heights”

S Kumar has also sold a 9-color 680mm full rotary offset press to Sprinpack in Delhi. The export-oriented company already had a rotogravure unit. For its small to medium runs, Sprinpack chose the latest Zonten machine, as cylinder costs were not viable, and it wanted to produce small quantities of pouches and sachets.

‘The unique selling point of our press lies in its speed and precision,’ shares S Kumar’s Hansoti. ‘Running between 120 and 150m/min, this full rotary offset press uses 10 servo motors per station, no gears or shafts, just advanced electronic controls. The press comes equipped with auto-inking systems and automatic registration controls.’

S Kumar has also recently completed installations of intermittent offset presses at Janus International in Thane, Vikram Printers in Pune and Moldtek in Hyderabad.

The differentiating factor
What sets S Kumar Multiproducts apart is that it is also a user of Zonten machines and can vouch for its efficiency. Converters planning to purchase Zonten presses can visit the S Kumar facility to observe the machines’ performance and make an informed decision before finalizing their purchase.

The company’s popularity was evident even at Labelexpo India. S Kumar recorded over 30 new installations of Zonten machines following the show, including 15 high-speed slitter-rewinders, 12 flatbed and intermittent die-cutters, three flexo presses and four hybrid presses.

‘We rely on word-of-mouth,’ Hansoti says. ‘Being printers ourselves, we understand the pain points and focus on building trust.’

He further adds: ‘We have a high repeat customer rate, and many of our machines have been running efficiently for over 20 years. After-sales service is a top priority for us. Our team of eight service engineers brings deep technical and printing expertise, and is supported by Zonten’s training programs.’

Another factor that gives the company an edge is that it hosts multiple open houses, in partnership with other converters, who have bought Zonten machines from S Kumar.

It hosted an open house with Avon FPP in June, targeting gravure users who are considering offset as an alternative for short-to medium-run jobs.

It also organized an open house at Dinson Labels in Navi Mumbai, in July, where a latest-generation flexo press was showcased. The press featured dual servo motors on each station and a large chilled roller specifically designed for printing on filmic substrates.

Expansion strategy
In terms of expansion, the company is not only looking to increase its geographical reach but is also developing its portfolio to include other equipment.

‘Expanding beyond India, we have made inroads into the Kenyan and Sri Lankan markets,’ shares Aarjav Hansoti, director at S Kumar Multiproducts. ‘In collaboration with HP Indigo Africa and Smart Printers Nairobi, we have installed a Zonten ZMQ digital finishing machine that combines screen printing, intermittent flexo, hot foil, IML cutting, embossing and slitting, all in a single-pass operation. We have sold a 9-color ZTR 450 press, featuring three servo motors on each station and 10in chilled rollers, to Sri Lanka-based IML leader Jayasinghe Industries for its in-house label production.’

In terms of new equipment, Aarjav Hansoti tells Labels & Labeling about a new, cost-effective inspection camera system that S Kumar launched in 2025.

It is available in both 4K and 8K resolutions and is priced between 23 lakh INR and 31 lakh INR (approximately between 26,000 USD and 36,000 USD). Live demonstrations are available at the company’s demo center in Ahmedabad, India.

“Being a one-stop solution for customers’ packaging needs is becoming increasingly important to ensure consistency of print across various formats”

Additionally, Aarjav Hansoti reveals that Zonten is poised to enter the digital realm with a UV inkjet press, slated for launch later in 2025.

S Kumar is also expanding into folding cartons. Sharing more details about the development, Aarjav Hansoti highlights: ‘Being a one-stop solution for customers’ packaging needs is becoming increasingly important to ensure consistency of print across various formats. Our printing division is expanding into folding cartons with a demo Komori press from Switzerland, targeting the pharma and personal care sectors with short-format jobs.’

The company aims to close FY26 with revenues of 100 crore INR (11.6 million USD), up from 70 crore INR (8.14 million USD) in FY24.

‘We are bullish about the Indian market. As India’s economy continues to grow at a rapid pace, the packaging machinery sector is reaching new heights,’ Manish Hansoti concludes.

S Kumar at Labelexpo India 2024

S Kumar reported 21 deals made at Labelexpo India 2024.

The company sold three flexo presses in four days. New Mumbai-based Dinsons Self Sticks has purchased a Zonten 370mm flexo 8-color, fully loaded, two-servo machine with cold foil, as well as a multi-substrate press equipped with lamination and die-cutting capabilities, along with a stacker conveyor featuring LED and UV properties. The machine incorporates flower-type technology along with delam-relam capabilities. This is Dinsons’ third Zonten flexo press as the company expands its involvement in the labeling business.

Another 8-color 430mm dual servo, fully loaded flexo press was picked by Sayona Labels.

Hindustan Labels of Nashik and Shri Om booked an HFQ 450 servo-driven, high-speed slitter rewinder with tension and web-guide control.

Hapur-based Aroosh Stickers booked a high-speed HFQ 350 slitter-rewinder for its new digital plant.

Ideal Seal Tape acquired a high-speed HMQ 350 die-cutter with a reversible hot foil and a sheeter conveyor.

S Kumar sold another three high-speed HMQ 450 die-cutters with reversible hot foil, lamination, sheeter and conveyor. It also sold three more slitter rewinders.

One intermittent, full-rotary die-cut, sheeter and slitter conveyor was sold to Shri Om Printers in Maharashtra.

S Kumar also sold two HMQ 450 flat-bed die-cutting machines with lamination, reversible hot foil, and a conveyor with sheeting and slitting capabilities, featuring single-pass technology. One was sold to Hyderabad-based Vimal Packaging, which also bought a high-speed HFQ 450 slitter-rewinder. The other machine was sold to Ahmedabad-based Prakash Printers and Coaters.

Two more HMQ 450 machines were sold to Surat-based Krutika Coatings and Hyderabad-based JK Labels.

Another high-speed HFQ 450 slitter-rewinder was sold to Accur8 Bizcom, based in Ahmednagar. It also bought a ZMQ 450 intermittent/full rotary multifunctional converting machine for labels and IML. Mohali-based United Labels also picked this machine.

Commenting on the company’s success at the show, Manish Hansoti, managing director, S Kumar Multiproducts, says: ‘We had a tremendous time at Labelexpo India. We are extremely proud of our performance. We booked a large number of machines, which is a first for our participation in Labelexpo. The show has exceeded our expectations, and we hope to come back bigger and stronger in the next edition.’