Started in 2009, Tirumala Venkateshwara Paper & Board Private Limited has a manufacturing capacity of 60 TPD. Mainly producing packaging kraft papers for converters and corrugators, they ensure consistent product quality by putting in internal quality checks at each stage of paper manufacturing. They have invested in process automation and are laying more emphasis on preventive shutdowns instead of unplanned breakdowns. In an exclusive interview with Paper Mart, Mr. Mahesh Gandhi, Director (Tech) of the company, shares his success mantra- “Keep Innovating.”
Paper Mart: Please provide a brief history of Tirumala Venkateshwara Paper & Board.
Mahesh Gandhi: We started our operations in 2009. Our paper mill is located at Mancherial in Telangana. We mainly cater to the Hyderabad market.
PM: What is your current product portfolio, infrastructural setup and manufacturing capacities?
MG: We mainly produce packaging kraft paper in the range of 90 GSM to 180 GSM, width ranging between 232 cm to 238 cm, and strength ranging between 18 BF to 24 BF, for the corrugated box manufacturing industry. We started with a modest production of 30 TPD, which has now increased to 60 TPD. We are now concentrating on providing value-added products to converters, other than corrugators.
PM: The paper industry is constantly evolving. What key trends do you see impacting the industry in the coming years?
MG: With paper quality parameters becoming more and more stringent, box makers want the products to have performing parameters such as paper formation and dimensional stability, as well as clear the Ring Crush Test (RCT) or the Short-Span Compressive Test (SCT). The companies are opting for larger manufacturing capacities, and greening of the manufacturing process or having a sustainable production cycle has become the need of the hour.
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PM: What steps have you implemented to ensure consistent product quality throughout the production process?
MG: All our raw material undergoes quality checks. Besides, we have invested in process automation and are laying more emphasis on preventive shutdowns instead of unplanned breakdowns. We have also put in internal quality checks at each stage of paper manufacturing to ensure continuous manufacturing of high-quality products.
PM: What specific initiatives are you planning to further improve quality or increase production capacities?
MG: Ours is a small mill with limited scope for quantity expansion. Hence, we are actively offering value-added products such as barrier coated kraft paper, which finds major application in the paper cutlery industry. Paper cutlery can be a good substitute for single-use plastic cutlery.
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PM: Sustainability is a growing concern for both consumers and businesses. What steps do you take to ensure Tirumala Venkateshwara Paper & Board remains a leader in environmentally responsible practices?
MG: We have already optimized the manufacturing process, which has resulted in minimal consumption of fresh water and reduction in electrical power used in the process of every ton of paper making. Further, we are offering barrier coated paper, which helps in reduction of plastic consumption and increases the overall sustainability.
PM: How do you plan to stay ahead of emerging trends in the paper and board industry?
MG: Our single-line for this is to keep innovating.
