screenprint india May 2011

AB'S DIARY

May 2011 Inviting All Entrepreneurs Screen printing is an industry where anyone can start an entry-level business with minimal initial investment and then scale up depending on the level of ambition Recently I was interacting with some of the Indian screen printers from the smaller cities, who had purchased hi-tech machines in response to their rising demand from customers. In spite of the high production volumes they were doing at present, the investment was sizeable. I was quite happy, as it appeared that this was an indication of their risk taking capacity for developing the business within a few of starting out. I was also mildly surprised when one of the young men casually added that, “I have already booked another machine recently but there is so much demand for them that we have to wait for a few more months. I wish there was some way to speed up the delivery." That statement refl ected the growing ambition of most entrepreneurs for whom the screen printing industry has literally opened the doors to a bright and rewarding career. After having tasted initial success, they are raring to go higher and higher at a faster and faster rate. Even while the fi rst machine’s loan is still being repaid, they are already booking another one and ready to take on the added risk. Shouldering the burden of two loans is not a problem these days for a screen printer who is on the fast track to growth, it seems. Knowing the probable answer, I still smiled and asked him, “How did you start off in the screen printing industry ?” Without hesitation, he pointed out to a corner of the premises at a small manual screen printing table, which he said is still operational. That encounter got me thinking about how screen printing is probably one of the easiest industries for entrepreneurs to get started. All it requires is a small manual printing table in one corner of the house where some family members help out in their spare time. Gradually a second table is set up, part-time helpers employed and the search begins for a small workspace. The fi rst piece of machinery also heralds moving up to a higher level of printing. The employees now need to have some training as well. As the complexities of jobs increase, the desired skill levels of employees rise in parallel. Out of necessity, the work area gets expanded, total number of workforce members crosses into double digits and before you know it, the printer has a small cabin where he spends all the spare time figuring out how to manage the repayment of two loans simultaneously. All this begins with a dream and a few thousand rupees. A street vendor selling sandwiches probably starts off with the same investment. The difference is that five to seven years down the line, the sandwich stall will just have a bigger menu. The screen printer has a bigger business.” "All it requires is a small manual printing table in one corner of the house where some family members help out in their spare time. Gradually a second table is set up, parttime helpers employed and the search begins for a small workspace. The first piece of machinery also heralds moving up to a higher level of printing. The employees now need to have some training as well." Anil Brahmbhatt.