In a candid discussion, Sumeet Arora, Managing Director at Uhlmann India, discusses the role of cutting-edge technology and a localized approach in transforming pharmaceutical packaging for the Indian market. With the launch of Uhlmann’s new facility in Chakan, Mr. Arora elaborates on how the company’s ‘Local for Local’ strategy is set to meet the unique demands of India’s generics industry. From enhancing production efficiency to fostering robust support networks, this conversation sheds light on Uhlmann’s commitment to building sustainable and scalable solutions for India’s thriving pharmaceutical sector.
As demand for high-quality pharmaceutical packaging grows, what are the current challenges in packaging solutions for generic medicines, and how is the industry addressing them with new technologies?
The expansion of the generics market presents unique challenges, particularly in ensuring product integrity, maintaining compliance with stringent regulatory standards, and achieving scalability to meet growing demand. With packaging being a critical aspect of drug quality and safety, the industry is turning to advanced technologies to overcome these challenges. Key advancements include automation, real-time data analytics, and IoT integration, all of which work together to enhance quality control and improve operational efficiency. Our approach involves utilizing smart machinery designed to adapt to variable production needs while maintaining high standards of quality across batches. This adaptability ensures that our clients meet regulatory requirements and uphold product integrity without compromising on cost-efficiency, positioning us as a proactive partner in this rapidly evolving market.
Blister packaging is increasingly popular in the pharmaceutical industry. What are the latest trends and technological innovations in blister packaging that address both efficiency and sustainability?
Blister packaging has evolved significantly, driven by a need to improve product protection and meet efficiency and sustainability standards. The latest trends include the use of eco-friendly materials, advanced pack designs optimized to minimize material usage, and machinery with smart features to reduce waste and energy consumption. For instance, modular systems like the eBL350 are now capable of quick changeovers, which reduce downtime and increase output flexibility. Additionally, digital monitoring solutions allow real-time tracking of resources, enabling companies to reduce resource consumption, minimize waste, and maximize operational efficiency. These innovations align with global sustainability goals and ensure that our clients can meet both regulatory and environmental standards while enhancing overall productivity.
In the global shift towards localized production, what are the benefits of localizing format parts and reducing dependency on imports, especially for pharmaceutical packaging?
Localizing production of format parts offers multiple advantages, including shorter lead times, increased supply chain resilience, and cost savings by reducing dependency on imports. For us, localization is more than just a logistical benefit; it enables faster access to critical components, allowing us to respond swiftly to client demands and provide tailored solutions suited to the local market. By manufacturing format parts in India, we ensure timely support and cost-effectiveness, helping clients operate with greater flexibility and efficiency. This approach strengthens our partnerships with clients, as we’re able to adapt our products to local needs and drive scalability across the region’s pharmaceutical industry.
With India becoming a significant hub for generic pharmaceuticals, what role do you see packaging solutions providers playing in supporting the efficiency and scalability of India’s generic drug industry?
Packaging solutions providers play an essential role in supporting the Indian generics industry. As packaging quality directly impacts product efficacy, patient safety, and regulatory compliance, providers must offer robust solutions that enhance efficiency and allow for scalability. By embedding intelligence into our packaging systems, we help manufacturers achieve higher output, minimize waste, and maintain consistent quality across large batches. Our investment in localizing production capabilities and expanding service networks further reinforces our commitment to the generics sector. This local focus ensures that our clients can meet both the current demands and future growth of the Indian market with confidence, as they rely on scalable, cost-effective, and compliant packaging solutions.
The new facility in Chakan MIDC was recently inaugurated. What specific capabilities or improvements will this facility bring to the Indian market in terms of production efficiency and customer support?
The new facility in Savardari, Chakan MIDC Phase II represents a significant step forward in our commitment to the Indian market. Designed to meet the rising demand for blister packaging solutions in the generics sector, the facility is equipped with advanced testing and quality assurance capabilities to ensure high standards and precision in every product. By localizing production of critical format parts, we’ve doubled our output capacity and reduced lead times, offering our customers faster access to the components they need. This facility not only enhances production efficiency but also strengthens our local service capabilities. A dedicated team, trained extensively in Germany, is now positioned to provide superior technical support and ensure that our clients have reliable assistance, whenever needed, to maintain optimal operational performance.
Looking forward, what are the strategic goals for this new facility, and how will it contribute to strengthening the company’s position in India’s pharmaceutical packaging industry?
The new Chakan facility marks a crucial expansion in our ‘Local for Local’ strategy, strengthening our commitment to the Indian pharmaceutical market by enhancing our local production capabilities and service networks. This approach allows us to be a more effective and trusted partner for India’s pharmaceutical manufacturers, helping them achieve global quality standards with increased operational efficiency.
The inauguration event brought together esteemed industry leaders, including Mr Sundeep Bambolkar, Joint Managing Director of Indoco Remedies; Mr Anil Arora, President of Global Manufacturing Operations at Granules India; Mr. Satish Agrawal, President (Technical & Operations) at Ajanta Pharma Ltd.; Mr. Richard Clemens, Managing Director of the Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association, Mr. Michael Mrachacz, CSO and Managing Director – Uhlmann Pac-Systeme; alongside Mr. Matthias Kaiser, Mr. Karlheinz Möschke, Mr. Volker Wissmann, Mr. Henry Fang, Mr Jack Geng and other distinguished dignitaries. Their presence underscored the significance of this new facility, which is set to be a cornerstone in advancing Indian operations. This expansion reflects our proactive approach to serving India’s robust pharmaceutical sector. Looking ahead, we are focused on deepening our local production capabilities and enhancing our service networks to strengthen our role as a trusted partner for India’s pharmaceutical manufacturers, helping them achieve global quality standards with increased operational efficiency.
Strategic Benefits and Technological Advancements include:
- Localized Production of Format Parts: By manufacturing critical components locally, we ensure timely support and cost-effectiveness, helping clients operate with greater flexibility and efficiency. This approach has doubled our output capacity, significantly reducing lead times and providing clients with faster access to essential parts.
- Advanced Testing and Quality Assurance: Equipped with state-of-the-art testing and quality assurance systems, the facility meets the growing demand for blister packaging solutions in India’s generics sector, ensuring high standards and precision in every product to support clients in meeting regulatory requirements.
- Enhanced Production Efficiency with an efficient Blister and Cartoning Packaging Line: Our systems, such as the eBL350, enable quick changeovers, reducing downtime and boosting output flexibility. Additionally, embedded intelligence and digital monitoring solutions provide real-time tracking of resources, allowing companies to reduce resource consumption, minimize waste, and maximize operational efficiency.
- Consistent Operational Performance: By embedding intelligence into our packaging systems, we help manufacturers achieve higher output, reduce waste, and maintain consistent quality across large batches. This ensures our clients can reliably meet both current and future demands.
- Dedicated, High-Quality Support Team: Our specialized team, extensively trained in Germany, is now stationed in Chakan to provide top-tier technical support, ensuring clients have reliable assistance whenever needed and enhancing overall operational performance.
This facility is a pivotal part of our growth strategy for India’s pharmaceutical sector, providing essential market support in efficiency, scalability, and quality. Going forward, our focus will be on further localizing production capabilities and expanding service networks, fortifying our role as a trusted partner for Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers while supporting sustainable growth.