“One of our key strengths is that all of our units are technologically ready for the future requirements of our clients in the packaging industries.”
Managing Director, Sukraft Group
Excerpts of the interview with Mr. Shankar Patel, Managing Director, Sukraft Group:
Paper Mart: Could you please give us an overview of Sukraft and its market presence?
Shankar Patel: Sukraft is a unique success story in the kraft paper industry since 1996 in India. We have started from 8 MT per day to achieving 1100 MT per day with our Mumbai, Nashik, Chennai, Raipur, and Goa units. We are successfully operating from various locations in India. Some of our customers have been with us from more than two decades which is a pretty explanatory feat to tell our story.
PM: What do you think are the key strengths of the company that will enable you to make your mark in the packaging industry?
SP: One of our key strengths is that all of our units are technologically ready for the future requirements of our clients in the packaging industries. One of the recent advancements is that we are going to install an ultra-modern ETP system in our all units which will enable us to produce odor-free export quality paper.
PM: What are your plans and growth strategies for the coming years?
SP: We are looking to team up with an international partner for our future expansion and to expand our global presence. In all of our mills, we are driven to enhance technology to make us globally ready in the coming three years.
PM: How the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the demand for packaging paper and how do you foresee the future?
SP: There were a few challenges that came along with some new opportunities during the lockdown, for instance, the Kraft paper industry had faced a shortage of manpower and the production got affected, but gradually things are improving. Since there has been a growing preference amongst people for online shopping worldwide, it raises the demand for Kraft paper simultaneously.
PM: Is there anything else that you would like to add to our interaction?
SP: I am quite hopeful for years to come for the Indian paper industry, and especially for the future of the kraft paper industry. Also, the mills will have to make themselves ready for new types of requirements coming in the future. For instance, we will produce lighter GSM food-grade and paper bag products to meet the future requirement of India and the world.
