Future of Pack, Brainstorming Retreat May 2026

India's geniuses in packaging development, initiated a thought process to define the roadmap to "Future of Pack", providing amazing inputs. Recently 40 to 45 heads of packaging or senior managers of leading brands in India across a diverse range of segments, came together at a unique event, "Future of Pack, Brainstorming Retreat". The event was conceptualised, curated and amazingly moderated by Pawandeep Sahni Managing Director, Omet India Pvt. Ltd., subsidiary of OMET Srl Italy. I have supported the event and am overwhelmed by the huge response of brands to my invite.

Akanksha Meena the global brands editor at Labels & Labeling, focusing on brand owner insights and design stories across international markets, has covered the event. Initial part of her story is reproduced below. The full story can be accessed at the link provided at the end of the first part of her writeup. 

Unpacking Future of Pack

The recent Future of Pack event that took place at Aravali Marriott Resort & Spa in Faridabad, Delhi NCR, on May 8 and 9 was attended by more than 40 brands. The event explored key challenges around sustainability, regulation, packaging and label technology infrastructure, consumer expectations and collaboration across the packaging value chain. 

Through discussions and workshops led by companies including Omet, Avery Dennison, UPM, Holostik, Kurz and Zircon, attendees explored packaging innovations and emerging technologies shaping the future of the industry. 

Harveer Sahni, chairman, Weldon Celloplast, commented: ‘Pawan and I wished to create a platform for “Future of Pack”, which was not a regular stage and audience event, where speeches are made from a stage, and the questions to the audience are largely met with silence. I am happy we created this very interactive platform, brainstorming at the same level in an open-mic format  with those geniuses who define the future of pack and solution providers who deliver capability in innovation, beautification, security, smart and sustainable packs. This endeavor is now recognized as the path to future. Pawandeep Sahni has been outstanding in keeping the packaging fraternity thoroughly engaged and moving within  their midst to create a collaborative session.’ 

Industry transformation 

The event began with discussion on industry’s transformation over the last two years. Attendees noted that the packaging industry has undergone significant changes, evolving from a simple protective container to an integral part of the consumer experience and brand engagement journey. Today, packaging acts as a digital touchpoint, enabling brands to connect directly with consumers through technologies such as QR codes and NFCs that enhance interaction and storytelling.  

Brand owners are increasingly adopting a consumer-centric approach, focusing not only on aesthetics but also on functionality, convenience and emotional connection. The speed to market has also accelerated, driven by new decoration technologies and the growing need for rapid product launches. At the same time, sustainability has moved to the forefront, with consumers becoming far more aware of environmental impact and pushing brands toward minimal, responsible packaging. This shift is particularly influenced by Gen Z consumers, who value sustainability, authenticity and minimalist design.  

Pawandeep Sahni, managing director of Omet India

The rise of e-commerce has further reshaped packaging requirements, making logistics efficiency, durability and the unboxing experience more important than ever. Additionally, startups are leveraging premium packaging to differentiate themselves in crowded markets and create stronger brand identities.  

The full story is available at https://www.labelsandlabeling.com/features/brand-owners-design/unpacking-future-pack

Click the link to watch the video: 

https://youtu.be/c4PwpOCGXmE

Feedback and comments of some of the participating Brands besides those mentioned in above article:

Priyanka Singh, Head Packaging Development, Lotus Herbals: Grateful to have been part of such a refreshing and meaningful industry interaction. Really appreciate Harveer Sahni ji and Pawan Sahni for creating a platform that encourages open, honest, and collaborative conversations across the packaging ecosystem. Looking forward to many more such discussions shaping the future of packaging together.

Jyotsana Tripathi, Cluster Packaging Head, SoA, Reckitt: It was an enriching experience attending the Future of Pack. Special thanks for facilitating an engaging and interactive forum between brand owners and packaging partners. The thoughtful discussions on current packaging challenges provided meaningful insights and highlighted exciting opportunities for a brighter, more sustainable packaging future. Looking forward to more such platforms like Future of Pack where packaging professionals can collaborate and shape a better future!

Geetal Mahajan Choudhari, Ph.D. (Tech.), Global Sustainable Packaging Lead, Kenvue: I am sure, like me, many of us reading here would have thought, how much effort can one do alone than doing it all together - but no one took that first step to drive collective effort to find a directional way forward for Sustainable Innovation in Packaging until Harveer Sahni ji, Pawan Sahni, and the entire team showed us how it is done! The retreat wasn't just something truly new but also meaningful, and in true sense collaborative. Building connections, crosspollinating that immense ocean of knowledge amongst industry peers and also bringing forth some aspects of what solutions may be was amazing to see! Pawan Sahni, you have set the benchmark too high and I am routing to see the great impact this needs to create and efforts continued..
This event stood out for me not because something extraordinary was discussed but basic & most common questions that we address/ are looking for solutions in our everyday and for the future unlike just the same set of QnA in conferences these days! “The power of collaboration and combined efforts can truly build value even across industry and eventually bring collective impact!”

Swati Gupta, Senior Manager Open Innovation and Packaging Development, Amway: Thank you Future of Pack for providing the opportunity to be part of these wonderful sessions with fellow Packaging Professionals across categories. The collective wisdom, the infectious energy and passion for packaging is worth the time and effort to brainstorm on future of packaging. Looking forward to the focused areas for Industry to initiate and ignite the wholistic collaboration between brands and Packaging Solution Industry.

Varun Bajaj,  Maruti Suzuki India Limited, Senior Manager Packaging: Had the privilege of being part of the “Future of Pack – Brainstorming Retreat” an incredible journey filled with unfiltered ideas, candid conversations, and collective thinking from some of the brightest packaging leaders in India.This wasn’t a typical conference. There were no presentations, no hierarchies — just honest, energetic dialogue  among peers passionate about reimagining packaging that is:
🔹 Sustainable – reducing impact while enhancing value
🔹 Smart – intelligent and connected through technology
🔹 Beautiful– elevating aesthetics and consumer delight
🔹 Secure – protecting brands and ensuring authenticity
What stood out for me was the depth of collaboration— brands, converters, and solution partners discussing real challenges and co-creating pathways for a better, more responsible packaging future.
A few takeaways:
✅ Innovation thrives in open conversations.
✅ The future of packaging is not built in silos — it’s built in synergy.
✅ Sustainability, technology and design must move together, not in isolation.
Grateful to Harveer Sahni for creating such a powerful platform for dialogue and to  Pawandeep Sahni for his outstanding vision and moderation that kept the energy high and ideas flowing.
Events like this reaffirm that our industry’s progress will come not from competition, but from Collaboration— where passion meets purpose.

Bhupesh Mittal, Technical Packaging Program Lead, Bayer: What happens when some of the sharpest minds in packaging sit together in one room - without hierarchy, without filters, and with complete openness?

- You don’t just get discussions.
- You get a glimpse into the real Future of Packaging.
“Future of Pack - Brainstorming Retreat” was one of the most intellectually enriching packaging forums I have attended in recent times.
What made this experience special was the quality of conversations happening inside the room?
✨ No passive audience
✨ No conventional presentations
✨ Just open brainstorming among packaging leaders, innovators, converters, and technology experts
The discussions covered critical themes shaping our industry:
🔹 Sustainable Packaging
🔹 Smart & Connected Packaging
🔹 Consumer Experience & Premiumization
🔹 Packaging Security
🔹 Print & Technology Innovation
🔹 Supply Chain Challenges
🔹 Future role of packaging in business strategy
What personally stayed with me was the depth and honesty of the discussions.
When experienced professionals openly discuss real challenges, failures, innovation bottlenecks, and future opportunities, it becomes a masterclass beyond any presentation deck.
👏 A special thanks to Harveer Sahni for creating such a meaningful platform and bringing together the right minds under one roof.
👏 Congratulations also to Pawandeep Sahni for conceptualizing and moderating the retreat with tremendous energy and clarity.

Yogesh Bambal, Regional Category Lead - R&D Packaging, Asia Pacific Region - Chocolate Category, Mondelēz International: What happens when industry leaders come together with complete openness, intellectual honesty, and a shared intent to shape the future?
You don’t just exchange ideas — you create direction for the industry; It was a privilege to participate in the Future of Pack – Brainstorming Retreat, an exceptional gathering of some of the most forward-thinking minds across the packaging ecosystem. What stood out was not only the depth of discussion, but the quality of perspectives being shared across sustainability, smart packaging, consumer experience, supply chain resilience, technology integration, and the evolving strategic role of packaging in business growth. The conversations reflected a clear reality — the future of packaging will be driven by collaboration, innovation, agility, and collective intelligence.
My sincere gratitude to Harveer Sahni for envisioning and building such a high-impact platform that encourages meaningful industry dialogue beyond conventional conferences. Special appreciation Pawan Sahni for curating and moderating the retreat with remarkable clarity, energy, and purpose. Forums like these are critical for accelerating transformation across the packaging industry and inspiring the next wave of innovation-led growth. Proud to be part of an ecosystem that continues to challenge convention and collectively shape the future of packaging.

Compiled and put together from individual messages received and Linkedin posts, by Harveer Sahni, Chairman Weldon Celloplast Ltd. New Delhi with support from Labels and Labeling UK. May 2026

 Some images from the event: 

 

Compiled and put together from individual messages received and Linkedin posts, by Harveer Sahni, Chairman Weldon Celloplast Ltd. New Delhi with support from Labels and Labeling UK. May 2026

Trigon Digipack; trailblazers in digital, growing in fast forward mode.

Anil Namugade

In December 2018, I wrote a story on Anil Namugade and his company Trigon Digipack https://harveersahni.blogspot.com/search?q=trigon+Digital. As circumstances evolved, from becoming employee to enterpreneur in 2007, Anil initiated his maiden startup Trigon in 2008, as a proofing and mockups service provider. Commitment and hard work led him to success, and in 2015 he bought his first HP Indigo label press and in the three years thereon he was already recognized as a trailblazer in digital label and packaging. Unstoppable thereafter, he kept leading Trigon to more success with 3 wide web and one narrow web HP Indigo

Anil with his HP25K

The Pandemic had put on hold many businesses but for Trigon it amounted to keep providing service to their customers. During the pandemic in 2020 they decided to install a wider 760mm HP Indigo 25K first in Asia to get into short runs of flexible packaging and laminates which was already being done on their smaller width 330mm HP Indigo 6900. They saw a huge opportunity in short and medium quantity runs for startups and there were few suppliers focused on catering to that demand in a proper way. Anil saw that it was time to expand to cater to this opportunity. That is why they took a bold step to acquire the first HP Indigo 25K in India together with total inhouse finishing and converting equipment for lamination, production of pouches and shrink sleeves, in fact the complete set up to provide labels and flexible packaging.

Customer growth and retention is the way of life at Trigon as they are a one stop solution provider. By catering to more than 400 startups, SMEs and their existing FMCGs brand owner customers, Trigon has registered unprecedented growth in digital printing and converting. With the startups community growing so fast, Anil experienced business growth, so decided to expand yet again. In 2024 they moved to a new additional 50000 square feet facility in Vasai near Mumbai  and invested in another digital press installed at new factory, an HP Indigo 200K to increase capacity in flexible laminates. The converting capability was also enhanced by installing a 3D flat bottom pouching machine to cater to a premium market segment and be the only company to offer such pouches with digital printing. At the new facility, they also installed a whole line of equipment to produce rigid boxes and canisters, to cater to the demand of their existing customers. All this was done to become a ONE STOP packaging solution provider and be at the buyer’s doorstep when a solution is needed.

Anil says, “we always research the needs of customers in various segments and share knowledge, such that their confidence in our capabilities grows continuously and they believe in our vision of offering the best futuristic technology, remaining ahead of competition.” Trigon has attained the position as a market leader in digitally printed and converted packaging. Their customers are convinced of them providing packaging that will enhance their brand visibility and demand. Trigon is experiencing a rise in domestic demand but enquiries from international customers are adding exports to their focus.

Anil does not subscribe to the thought process of the label and package converting fraternity that digital is only for short runs, so how can one grow with startups? He explains that most startups initiate their work with multiple SKUs and once they order for example, 500 for each variant, it becomes a substantial order to start with. When there is an order to produce 5 or 6 variants, for them it is just one single job. They do not have to make any cylinders or plates or job changes on the go. Digital technology has a huge advantage with possibility to print on demand. For example, a dry fruit company cannot operate with only one product but maintaining an overly large and varied inventory can be inefficient. In addition to selling on an e-commerce platform, timing is a crucial factor for achieving success. Trigon has understood that the name of the game is quick production, good quality and on time delivery. For catering to such needs of their customer base we have invested to setup the whole manufacturing ecosystem in our factories.

Responding to question on how they reach out to new customers or vice versa, Anil expressed that despite them having a technically strong client servicing team, it is mostly word of mouth publicity. They give respect and importance to all customers irrespective of their size. Reference from existing satisfied customers has built up credibility and brand equity which has provided inertia for their growth. Trigon’s team is very active on social media and digital marketing, which generates substantial enquiries.

The general perception in label and flexible packaging industry is that digital is expensive and this fact is a big deterrent which does not justify the huge investment. “It is a misconception that digital is expensive, mentions Anil.” He further adds, “If a customer has 10 designs for making 2000 pieces each. How can you justify and cost of plates, cylinder, set up time, press time in changeovers and the time in producing 10 different sets of small quantities? In digital as I mentioned earlier it is just one online job of 20,000 pieces, which justifies the cost eliminating the plate and cylinder cost plus the time which is very important”. Moreover, at Trigon they just do not only print a design that a customer brings in, but they also study their job its marketability and add their own expertise in colour management and embellishing capabilities to enhance the packaging for the customer. Since prepress is the heart and soul of any print, they have invested in high-end sophisticated equipment to ensure excellence.

Trigon operates out of a total shopfloor area close to 100,000 square feet in both units at Goregaon and Vasai, put together with 150 workforce, four digital presses one 330 mm wide while the rest are 760 mm wide running at speeds of 30 to 35 meters per minute. Post press is the backbone of any digital printing business and for that reason they have invested in a wide array of digital finishing, embellishing and converting machines which also justify their need for a large shop floor. Anil says if not really the largest, then at least they are definitely amongst the top five companies worldwide in terms of the number of clicks made on their HP Indigo presses. Whether they will diversify to other printing technologies? Anil says that they have grown in digital and there is so much more happening, so there is not much need to change courses as yet, but then one never  knows, They are driven by customer demand, and what course is to be traversed hereon is difficult to mention at this stage. One cannot really comment on the efficacy, advantage or disadvantage of various technologies without really indulging. All processes have their plus and cons. Trigon is driven by their acquired customer profile which is limited to small, medium and customized runs  and are comfortably growing in what is suiting them best.

Talking of growth of digital printing and web converting, Anil feels that with a total of less than 10 machine of wide web digital printing now in India, the potential is huge. In his estimate this segment is registering a CAGR of 15-20%. There seems to be no reason for volumes to slow down as the country moves ahead. A young population’s demand for new products is providing the emergence of new brands offering frequent changes to attract the new generation, providing reason for digital printing and converting to make it convenient to respond to such changes. Regarding comparison of converting costs, there is no way that in volume converting digital will match the cost in volume converting as compared flexo or roto gravure. Marginal reduction of prices of consumables in digital may happen as volumes and competition escalate. As for different digital technologies, most have fairly decent quality and reasonable speed but for consistently producing high quality at good speed, Digital is the preferred technology for Trigon at the moment.

They already export 15-20% of their production but now with expanded infrastructure, they plan to enhance exports yet remaining focused to Indian demand without any compromise. India is one of the fastest growing economies and it is the market that has shown immense resilience. Trigon’s investment in the first HP presses 18k, 25k and 200K were all the first ones in India. They have been trendsetters becoming trailblazers. and have taken risks in investing which with hard work are paying off well. Presently operating at 80% capacity, it may as well be time for expansion yet again. Anil Namugade sums it up,  “Partnership with brands  and their needs make us to grow every time a requirement emanates; it is an opportunity for us, and we respond with full fervor.”

Written by Harveer Sahni Chairman Weldon Celloplast Ltd. New Delhi July 2025

UK Gupta, a farmer’s son, becoming largest Hologram producer in world!

Late Umendra Kumar Gupta

The late Umendra Kumar Gupta (hereinafter referred to as UKG), a veteran in the anticounterfeiting industry, founder and former President of the Authentication Solution Providers Association (ASPA) and CMD of Holostik India, was born in 1954 into a family of freedom fighters and farmers from Dhampur in the Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh. His father, a farmer who emphasized ethics and hard work, taught his children to live honestly, respect family values, and support one another. UKG's parents established a foundation based on resilience and moral courage, which continues to influence their descendants. Coming from a close-knit bonded family of four brothers and two sisters, UKG after finishing his schooling at Dhampur pursued BBA and MBA from Banaras Hindu University. All brothers ventured into diverse businesses.

UKG, a man with entrepreneurial spirit, did not wait for the ‘right time’, he believed in creating opportunities rather than waiting for them. The urge to build something of his own was evident from the very beginning. Right after completing his education, he chose to start his own venture instead of taking up a job. In the mid-1960s, polyethylene entered India, and its plastic products gained popularity. UKG founded his first venture in 1978 to produce polyethylene bags that had become fancy at that time. He later pursued various projects including Sulfur crushing, water tanks under the POLYWELL brand, and warehousing through his company United Warehousing. His group of companies then were known as Ukay Group. The pivotal moment was in 1991 when he established Holostik India, one of the earliest hologram manufacturing companies in India, renaming his group of companies as Holostik Group in 2008, marking the beginning of his legacy. Holostik under UKG’s leadership, quickly grew to become the largest producer of holograms in the world. As the market evolved, they expanded to become a comprehensive anti-counterfeiting solutions provider. A remarkably self-driven individual, UKG believed in learning from every experience and from every person he met. Life itself was his biggest teacher.

Expanding product range

UKG was an ambitious hardworking entrepreneur and indulged in products ahead of time. He continued to expand into new industries with passion and foresight. In 2008, he launched United Multichem, a venture into aroma chemicals and essential oils. In 2015, extending his global outreach for holographic products, Holoprint was established in Dubai getting a foothold in the Middle East and gradually expanding globally. In 2020, Holostik group invested in sustainability by launching NaturTrust—a brand focused on biodegradable products. Around the same time, CAMVEDA was launched to produce pure Camphor products under United Multichem. In 2005, Holostik began diversifying into holographic packaging foils and pouches, this marked their entry into secure packaging. They also introduced shrink sleeves, security labels in 2015 and mono-cartons in 2018  as a part of packaging. This evolution was a natural extension of their core mission to protect brands, ensure product authenticity, and offer end-to-end solutions that combine innovation, trust, and performance.

Though UKG’s first customer was Kores India Ltd., yet the turning point came in 1995 when T. N. Seshan, the then Chief Election Commissioner of India, approved use of holograms on Election ID cards. That endorsement not only validated the technology but also opened the doors for widespread adoption across government and private sector, initiating Holostik’s journey in secure packaging and authentication. Another milestone came in 1999, they convinced the excise department to implement holographic labels on liquor bottles as a measure to prevent counterfeiting and revenue leakage. With a strong holography background, entering the label business was new for Holostik. Security labels weren’t just another product added in their range, these provide anti-counterfeiting measures and authenticity while regular product labels are meant for aesthetics or branding. Shifting focuses on continuous innovation and extending security features to product labels, they also became a part of their offerings.

All businesses in their path from inception to growth come across hardships and difficult times, The fittest take them in their stride and move on. UKG too faced many hardships and one of the toughest ones was during his water tank business, his entire factory was engulfed in a massive fire. It was something he built from scratch, and he was in extreme emotional distress. A determined and resilient UKG built it all back as Holostik, single handedly and moved ahead in life to grow his business. None of his siblings were involved in the same business. Each of them chose different paths and built careers in diverse sectors. He respected and encouraged that individuality. Holostik was his own vision, nurtured independently, he worked hard and kept taking it higher with innovation and creativity.

UKG, Vandana Gupta and sons

UKG married, Vandana Gupta, in 1980, she is a well-educated person having completed her B.Sc., M.Sc., and B.Ed. . UKG and Vandana have two sons Ankit and Shobhit. She remains a pillar of strength for her family. Vandana chose to be a home maker, but her influence on the upbringing of her sons has been immense. While she was taking care of the household, her husband was scaling up his business setting new benchmarks. In 2010, Holostik was recognized among the top 500 fastest-growing Indian companies by Inc. magazine, and in 2013, they were named amongst the 'Most Innovative 100 Companies' by the same publication. In 2017 they were recognised as a leading SME in IT and IT-enabled services company. In 2019 their R&D labs were accredited by DSIR, receiving the prestigious CII Industrial Innovation Award. He was one of the founding members of Authentication Solution Providers Association (ASPA) and guided it to build brand protection ecosystem in India. He was the recipient of the coveted Economic Times Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.

Each of these recognitions reflect UKG’s relentless pursuit of innovation and quality, a legacy that his inheritors would continue to carry forward. He was a legend in the holographic and authentication industry, sadly on the 1^st of June 2021, the legend Umendra Kumar Gupta aged 67 years, passed away!

 

The Gen-Next

Carrying forward the legacy of their illustrious father U K Gupta are his two sons Ankit and Shobhit as Joint Managing Directors. Both brothers complementing each other are jointly leading the Holostik Group, which spans across multiple business verticals including print and packaging, chemicals, and real estate—with operations both in India and the Middle East. Shobhit specifically heads the chemical division, oversees their Dubai operations besides managing key segments of the packaging business. Their father was the guiding force behind Holostik. His presence commanded immense respect, both within the organization and across the industry. For both, stepping into their father’s shoes honoring his legacy, upholding the values he built the company on, and carrying forward the trust he had earned over decades was not an easy task. That transition eventually came to the duo with a lot of emotional responsibility with renewed motivation to take Holostik to even greater heights.

1981 born Ankit Gupta did his initial schooling at Modern School, New Delhi and followed it by Computer Engineering from Bangalore. Later he took a job in the Aditya Birla Group in Mumbai, where he worked for two years gaining valuable exposure to corporate operations, exposure to different functions, the scale at which things operated. He then pursued and completed his MBA at UCLA Anderson Los Angeles USA and IIM Ahmedabad (exchange transfer program) thereby earning alumni status at both institutions. Post-MBA, in 2007, he had a consulting job offer in Boston with a $100,000 annual package but the entrepreneurial ambition prevailed, and he decided to return to India and start his maiden venture in hospitality, setting up a restaurant named 'Mocha in Delhi which he ran successfully for four years. Finding real estate an exciting business, he quit the restaurant business and began developing real estate projects in Gurgaon and later started a chemical trading business focused on flavors and fragrances, which continues within the Holostik group. In 2015, Ankit enrolled in the Owner/President Management (OPM) program at Harvard Business School. It was a transformative three-year experience spending a few months each year on the HBS campus, eventually becoming an alumnus of Harvard.

Shobhit and Ankit Gupta

At this juncture, Ankit decided to join the family business by becoming involved in Holostik's HR, Marketing & Communications departments. Meanwhile Holostik has evolved from being a prominent manufacturer of holograms and labels to a comprehensive authentication solutions provider. 

Shobhit and family

His brother Shobhit, holding an engineering degree from Delhi College of Engineering, completed his MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business in Canada. He started his career at Evalueserve Gurgaon and later joined Holostik in 2007. Together the brothers remain united by the common goal of taking their father’s vision to new heights.

Ankit and family

In 2007 Ankit got married to Neha, an engineer with an MBA, who started her professional journey with HDFC Bank. For a brief period, she was involved in business, initially supporting the Mocha hospitality project and then in 2008 she was involved in setting up the HR department at Holostik. Over time, she explored different creative avenues, serving as the editor of a few publications, and as a director at NIMAI, a niche jewellery brand. She is now focused on raising her two children, son Vivan 14 years studying in 9th and daughter Jiya 11 years studying in 7th. Once the children are on their own, Neha may plan to return to some profession. Shobhit got married in 2010 to Mansi, and they are blessed with two children, son Aryaveer and daughter Nitara. Mansi has been a part of the sales and marketing team at Bentley Motors. She is now involved in the group’s CAMVEDA business, guiding the team on marketing initiatives. Both brothers express that the unwavering support of spouses has been instrumental in helping them focus on building and growing Holostik.

One of the Shopfloors

Talking about his mentorship, Ankit says, “My father has been my greatest mentor, his values, clarity of thought, and resilience continue to inspire me every single day. I stepped into the labels and packaging space as a second-generation entrepreneur. With a huge legacy, one inherits both the assets and responsibilities. It is not just about enjoying the perks of what the first generation built, it is about carrying that forward elevating it.” He further adds, “My most memorable success was launching the Café Mocha brand in Delhi. It was my first independent venture after returning from UCLA, it was a creative expression of what I had learned about entrepreneurship, consumer experience, and brand building. Confident after the success with Mocha, I could take on challenges when I eventually joined in leadership role in Holostik with deep understanding to scale-up the business.

Label press at Holoprint Dubai

 One of the biggest challenges for any second-generation entrepreneur is earning respect, it takes time for people to stop seeing you as just the founder’s son trusting your vision and decisions. For me, that journey of achieving credibility and proving my approach took some time. For Shobhit, the challenge was different. He took on the responsibility of starting Holoprint from scratch and building it into a specialized entity to cater to international markets. Establishing a new company under the larger umbrella of Holostik, carving out its space, and scaling it to a new level was no small feat. We’ve both faced different challenges, but what’s united us is the drive to build on our father’s legacy while creating something of our own.

Ankit was conferred on the prestigious Larry Wolfen Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit at UCLA in 2006. He has made presentations and shared technical papers at more than 20 events hosted by reputed organizations like CII, PHD Chamber, IHMA, ASPA, and several other key platforms in the printing and packaging industry, engaging with diverse audiences. In 2017, he was interviewed by Radio One as a Shark for startup investments for sharing insights on entrepreneurship and what makes a venture investable.

Holostik Corporate head office

Both Shobhit and Ankit are committed to sustainability. One of their key initiatives has been the installation of a 500 kWp solar power plant at the Greater Noida manufacturing facility, reducing carbon footprint and embracing clean energy. They have developed sustainable alternatives like paper holograms and are exploring holography on wide web paper substrates to replace polyester. The Holostik Group consists of seven diverse companies including Holostik India, United Multichem, Holoprint, NaturTrust, Utopia Digitech, CAMVEDA, ThinkNext Village, and United Services operating with a workforce of over 750. They operate from more than seven state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities spread across over 40,000 square meters. Their corporate headquarters are in Okhla, New Delhi, apart from 12 offices strategically located across the country. Holostik’s exports to more than 90 countries are a testament to their quality, innovation, and reliability.

Another shop floor

Ankit summed it up interestingly on behalf of Shobhit and himself. The brothers are united in delivering excellence to the legacy passed on to them by their father, the legend; Umendra Kumar Gupta. He says, “Success does not come overnight—it is built through consistency, perseverance, and staying true to your values. I strongly believe in the philosophy of ‘Ek aur ek gyarah’—because when people align with a shared purpose, 1 + 1 can truly become 11. Plan well, de-risk wherever you can, and most importantly—keep going, no matter what. Or as I like to say... Lage Raho Munna Bhai!"

 

(Lage Raho Munna Bhai! Is name of popular Indian film but it actually means; Keep working brother! Or in the author’s interpretation it means, “The show must go on!”)

 

Written by Harveer Sahni Chairman Weldon Celloplast Limited New Delhi May 2025

Priyata Raghavan and her entrepreneurial success at Sai Packaging

       Priyata Raghavan 

The author has firmly believed that “Women are largely loyal, committed and resilient in business”. They achieve success in their endeavors despite being multi-taskers. We all know being a home maker is a gigantic task; looking after household chores, managing children, their education, their activities, arranging wardrobes for self and family. After all this, running one of the largest packaging companies in the country is nothing short of a miracle! Priyata Raghavan, is one such woman who is like a role model for young aspiring women leaders riding success with her hard work. She is the younger daughter of Vijay Raghavan, the founder of Sai Packaging Company and heads the overall operations of the company as deputy CEO.

Vijay Raghavan came from a modest background having witnessed financial heights and lows in his childhood. Despite difficulties he completed his education through college and then went on to achieve an MBA. Middle aged, in his late 40s, in 1993 he decided to set up his maiden venture Sai Security Printers with meagre capital that he could arrange. With sheer hard work he established his credibility and adopted good business practices and ethical values that became the way forward for the business and for his family to follow. His wife was a big support, with a masters in English literature she pursued job as a teacher. In the beginning of a new millennium, the business felt the need of more family members and at this time she quit her job to join as administrator, a designation she has held for the past 20 years. 

Vijay Raghavan carried on his security printing business, printing lottery tickets for various state Governments. In 1996 they invested in an imported, one of the early 13-inch 12 color narrow web flexo press for printing scratch coupons. Due to a sudden ban on lottery by the government, they were left evaluating what to do next. Vijay Raghavan initiated his journey into packaging by setting up Sai Packaging Company and putting the swanky new press to use instead, for Labels, Beverages and liquor. That was how they started working in Labels.

Vijay Raghavan is blessed with two daughters and being a proponent of women empowerment, encouraged his daughters to achieve the best in education. His elder daughter is a maths graduate from South Campus Delhi, and currently heads the Tutor Quality Department at CueLearn India, an e-learning startup focused on math education globally.  She is Carnegie Mellon University Dean's Scholar with a master’s in information systems management. His younger daughter Priyata who now heads the North India operations of Sai Packaging as deputy CEO since 2005, attended Holy Child School New Delhi and Sri Venkateswara College in South Campus, New DELHI. She did her MBA from IIM Lucknow and has been a gold medalist through all these institutions. She specialized in Marketing and Finance.

Priyata joined ITC Limited in 2003 as a Management Trainee in Sales and Marketing. She considers her time at ITC crucial for her business future, working on brands like Ashirwaad and Sunfeast that became household names. She gained insights into sales and distribution channels, travelling extensively across the country. She joined Sai Packaging right after spending a few years at ITC Limited. This was at a time when the business was going through a transformation from the lottery business into a world of labels and packaging. It was an important trajectory dependent on succession. She has spent over 20 years at the helm of SAI, wearing many hats like heading Sales, Operations, Finance etc. As with every family-run enterprise, her duties/task far outnumber any designation. After initially starting out in finance, then sales and operations, she worked her way to leading Profit Centers for the overall business as well as heading Business Development, Finance and Corporate Affairs for the Company. 

Reminiscing her early days at SAI, she says, “Memories of selling packaging those days, are very memorable, albeit for very different reasons. I was handed a few of the challenging customers to prove my mettle. I cannot name them here of course, but I can say that my learnings from selling to these difficult customers was far higher than the business earnings from them. I still carry those early lessons with me!”. As for the challenges she faced as a woman, she goes on to add, “Printing as such, especially the convertor business has few women and there is always resistance both within and without for a woman on the shop floor and as a leader. I overcame initial resistance with hard work, resilience, passion and delivery to be trusted by all stakeholders as an inclusive leader. “Priyata firmly believes that there are advantages of being a female leader. Women bring in the innate ability to multitask and establish an emotional connect. Their higher social quotient and emotional quotient helps build tangible and solid relationships amongst all levels of the team and stakeholders. This ability helps the teams to go above and beyond, and win trust with suppliers, customers and investors. She asserts that she has always tried to look at the end consumer requirements so as to understand the packaging needs of brands and translate that back to her teams within the company. This helped her in winning business. Sai, until she joined, was a men-only organisation 20 years ago, but contrary to that, it now employs women at various positions in the company. Sai has evolved to recognise the merit and talent in women.

Priyata's father, Vijay Raghavan, inspired her with his business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit. He mentored her throughout her career, alongside other professionals in both family and business, which contributed to her growth. She avidly reads biographies and management books to gather insights and experiences. She has, over the years, been the recipient of many awards.

·       Business leader of the Year 2023, Women in Print by Printweek

·       Tycoons of Faridabad by the Jagran Group in 2019

·       Appreciation Award for Women Empowerment by FICCI 2019

·       Young Entrepreneur Recognition by DLF Industries 2020

Despite her entrepreneurial responsibilities, she has successfully raised two children. Advait, her 13-year-old son excels in football, academics, and music. Zoya, her 10-year-old daughter is an outstanding student and a dedicated Kathak dancer, performing across India and winning numerous awards.

Vijay Raghavan continues to guide and mentor Sai Packaging as Chairman. Arvind Sekhar -his elder son in law, husband of Priyata’s elder sister, is the CEO of the company looking after National Customers & Corporate Account Relationships, Strategic R&D Initiatives, and Investor Relationships. Arvind is master’s in chemical engineering, and has worked with International Papers and Ariba, an American software and information technology services company located in Palo Alto, California now acquired by German software maker SAP. He was in the US for 13 years, before he came back to India to join the company. 

Sai packaging is multilocation company serving FMCG brands needing a pan-India vender presence. Sai is the preferred partner for them with production facilities in Faridabad NCR and Bengaluru in the south of India. Their product range includes Labels, Cartons, Leaflets, Inserts and Security printing instruments. 

With 14 offset and flexo production lines they work out of the shop floor area admeasuring 270,000 square feet employing a 700 plus workforce at two locations. They invested in digital printing capabilities some years back and found digital solutions extremely useful in giving options with speed to the world of packaging. Priyata believes that hybrid technologies that toggle both conventional and digital technologies, have great scope for growth, in the years to come, however still, the industry needs to overcome the pricing challenge for digital.

Finally, regarding her vision for future, she says, “We want to consolidate that position to grow much faster in the years to come. We want to be known for our initiatives in Creativity, Trust, and Sustainability across the board.

Written by Harveer Sahni, Chairman Weldon Celloplast Limited, New Delhi March 2025