Rossini, the Italian manufacturer of rubber rollers, sleeves and mandrels for flexo and gravure presses inaugurated its new 8,000m2 plant in Chakan, Pune, on 23 September.
The facility is Rossini’s only factory in Asia and is expected to cut its customers’ heavy costs from importing rubber rollers.
“The requirement of high-quality rubber rollers from the Asian markets is ever growing and with a presence in India, Rossini will be able to tap this growing market,” said Ashvin Hebbar of Rossini India, who will be responsible for the sales and marketing for Rossini in India.
Production at the factory will include rubber rollers, speedwell sleeves and mandrels.
Able to produce up to 10,000 rollers per month, the Pune plant will run equipment imported from Italy, similar to that in other Rossini plants. The rubber compound, which is the most important factor in delivering high-quality rollers, will also come from Italy, said the company.
“This will enable Rossini to maintain the quality that is being currently supplied from Rossini Italy and to propel standardisation of the products,” said Hebbar.
Rossini supplies sleeves and rollers to all the major OEMs for gravure and flexo presses such as the Bobst Group, Cerutti, Comexi, Uteco and KYMC. Indian manufacturers such as Kohli Industries, Expert Industries, Pelican Rotoflex, Uflex and Raulimex also use Rossini sleeves and rollers on their presses.
“We also have plans to strengthen Rossini’s presence in neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and also extend it to Middle East countries once the factory goes operational,” said Hebbar.