Packshield Industries
 
Mfg. of Moulded & Fabricated EPS (Thermacole) EPE,
EVA, PU foam, Packaging & Insulation Articles

In Conversation

Polymerupdate : Tell us something about the start of your career.

Mr. Pravin Mange : I started my career about 15 years back with the manufacture of wooden cases. Soon after, we changed to EPS fabrication. At the time industry was looking for new innovative packing, we broke open the barriers of conventional packing and ventured into new innovative packing material- Thermocole. After envisaging the growing demand and serving the industry for two years with this new packing using fabricated thermocole, we then ventured into backward integration of manufacturing moulded expanded polystyrene (thermocole).

Polymerupdate : How did you strategize yourself from there ?

Mr. Pravin Mange : Envisaging that market demanded innovative type of packing, we added EPE, PU and EVA packaging-fabrications with modern technology using computerized countour cutting machine and dies punching machine which had helped us to handle large volumes in short time.

Polymerupdate : What are the products marketed and manufactured by you ?

Mr. Pravin Mange : We manufacture and market a range of moulded packaging- EPS, slabs, Pipe Section, EPE Foam, PU Foam, EVA Foam, Air Bubble Bags, EPE Bags and Antistatic material. We have recently introduced plastic boxes, collapsible and reusable. We are also introducing Cello Bubbleguard material having multiple applications viz. advertising, display, construction, light weight pallets, false ceiling with multiple colors, etc. We have developed 4-way EPS Pallets weighing 3 kgs ( compared to wooden pallet weighing 18-20 kgs.) which is capable of taking weight up to 800 kgs. We also provide total protective packaging solutions. We are also the authorized fabricators and distributors of Cello Bubbleguard for the Western Indian Region.

Polymerupdate : What is the export market for your products ? 

Mr. Pravin Mange : We have started exports of our products to the Middle East and South East Asian countries.

Polymerupdate : What is the consumption of raw material in your production units ?

Mr. Pravin Mange : We consume around 500 tons of raw material per annum which will increase by another 30% - 40% this year.

Polymerupdate : What are your new plans ?

Mr. Pravin Mange : We have recently introduced temperature control boxes for cold chain applications. We are also planning to introduce Foam At Place technology. Over the next two years we are planning to double our production capacity. Apart from our present factory at Ghatkopar, we have also set up another unit at Turbhe , Navi Mumbai where we will manufacture Bubbleguard boxes (PACKGUARD).

Polymerupdate : Kindly elaborate on your Bubbleguard board products and how they are advantageous as compared to products manufactured from other materials ?

Mr. Pravin Mange : We will be introducing Cello Bubbleguard boxes which will be collapsible boxes available with integrated partitions. Right now in India, boxes and other articles are made with pinning, riveting and gluing. Now, with our new technology, wielded boxes will be available for first time in India. As compared to other conventional material like PP Flute , Sunpack , Paper Corrugated and Wood, the advantages of Cello Bubbleguard boxes can be enumerated on the following counts :-

(a)Cello Bubbleguard has equal strength in both directions while PP Flute material and Paper Corrugated are unidirectional and while wood gains strength more in grain direction. (b) Cello Bubbleguard has higher compressive strength while PP Flute material and Paper Corrugated has comparative strength in flute direction only and while Wood has comparative strength in the grain direction only. (c) Cello Bubbleguard has low cutting wastage while PP Flute, Paper Corrugated and Wood have high cutting wastages.(d) Cello Bubbleguard boxes are available in six multiple colour printing.

Polymerupdate : What are the other activities that you pursue ?

Mr. Pravin Mange : I am the Joint General Secretary of the EPS Recycling Association of India (EPSRAI). We take up issues related to recycling of EPS (thermocole).

Polymerupdate : What advice will you give to the new entrants wishing to foray in the business ?

Mr. Pravin Mange : New entrants must be proactive, be conversant with new market trends and keep themselves upgraded with technology.