The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Filled with imprints of hope

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Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Filled with imprints of hope

R. Sujatha

Slowdown may impact printing ink trade

— Photo: M. Vedhan

Adding colours: A printing ink manufacturing unit in Ambattur Estate .

CHENNAI: Come elections, the business of printing ink manufacturers is brisk. Although they are hopeful of a good sale this time too, the growth in turnover will be comparatively less than that recorded during the previous general elections.

Apart from the restrictions on the expenditure imposed by the Election Commission, the overall economic slowdown would also have an impact, say ink manufacturers.

Restrictions

The restrictions have meant that political parties are spending a lesser amount on billboard advertisements and printing leaflets. The last Parliamentary elections ink manufacturers saw a 35-40 per cent increase in business.

R. Mahendran Prabu, owner of Alagar Litho Print, said his offset machine is not as busy as it was during the last parliamentary elections. There has been a 20 to 30 per cent fall in orders for elections at his printing press. “Usually the ruling party is more active, offering us more job orders. Since the circulation of newspapers increase during this season we automatically benefit,” he observed.

“It’s been quiet”

“Earlier political parties would print posters and leaflets listing their achievements. By the first week of April we should have received orders but it has been quiet so far.”

Brilliant Colour Inks, which supplies mostly to Kerala, has seen a 20 per cent increase in the orders last month, according to proprietor N. Ramachandran.

“We also supply base chemicals to companies in Sivakasi. In Chennai there was a 10 per cent increase in business during this period,” he said.

“Eight years ago we were busy. We found it difficult to supply to customers. There were pamphlets and posters to print.”

Fiaz M. Ahmed of Flash Graphics has imported raw material anticipating an increase in the business. But, he is not unduly worried as he said he would divert “the stock to other orders”.

“Election is a special occasion,” said K. Krishna Reddy, branch in-charge of Inks India, Luz. The company supplies inks to the four southern states and has had a good run this season. “Normally, during elections even small companies like ours get Rs.10 lakh-Rs.15 lakh worth job orders,” he said.

Small increase

“Though seasonal, there will be a small increase in a company’s turnover during an election year. This is because each party allocates a certain amount for each media towards advertisements. The number of advertisements released in the print media is a good way of determining how much money is allocated by the parties,” said director of a printing unit in Ambattur.

As political parties are not allowed to put up cut-outs and wall posters, the demand for colour inks would fall, manufacturers say. But the demand for black ink will remain buoyant thanks to the demand for magazines and newspapers.

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