It is a trying time for the global population, as a single crisis worries the world and unites it in finding safety solutions to stem the expanding reach of this deadly COVID-19 pandemic. In absence of a proven and certified medical remedy, nations are resorting to lockdowns in vast geographical clusters to curtail the infection from spreading to larger parts of diverse communities.

The industry is in a dilemma as losses are mounting with sales and production on hold. The label industry has its own challenges in times when raw material prices are on the rise, increased competition is prevalent and evolving printing and decorating technologies call for more diversification. Comments from label industry constituents have been provided below.

The comments vary from worry about the well-being of their kin, for employees to remain positive in these trying times, expressing the difficulties that will be faced due to the lockdown. One of the best comments came from Raul Silvestre (Lartec Spain), who is using his capabilities in service of society and says, “It is our responsibility. Not thinking of profits.” 

Chris Ellison, president FINAT and owner of OPM Group, Leeds UK: The highly mobile and reactive nature of the self-adhesive label industry means it well positioned to support the challenges our global supply chain is currently experiencing.

Ajay Mehta, managing director of SMI Coated products Mumbai India: We must continue to serve mankind by providing material and labels for essential things, team has decided to continue operations as far as possible to serve essential requirements, while they themselves take all possible precautions.

Manish Kapoor, national sales head of Nilpeter in India: Labels will stick tomorrow as well, let’s not let COVID-19 stick around. Cheers and god bless all.

Aditya Patwardhan, director of Manohar Packaging Pvt. Ltd. India: It would be of pertinence to shut things down for a while barring those servicing essential commodities. Beyond that…this too shall pass.

Dinesh Mahajan, director of Prakash Labels Pvt Ltd. Noida India: Impacting the workforce in the industry because of panic and hence affecting production, deliveries and payments

Sandeep Zaveri, managing director of Total Print Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai India: Our Mother Earth really couldn’t take any more pressure, so corona virus had to come to make the world disciplined with people disciplined. We strongly must believe and not pollute our Mother Earth and know it’s high time we realise the discipline to follow and slowdown in our life. Today with “janta bandh” (Public Curfew announced by Indian Prime Minister) we could feel the birds chirping with the sky so clear, this is what is required in India. I do understand all the pressure we are undergoing, with closing of our financial year many challenges are there to face but believe in God, all is going to happen for the good for our generations to come. This also shows the true spirits and true unity we could show and follow, let us all as label printers show the true unity and courage in saving our Mother Earth and  our industry by pricing it correct, following ethics and discipline to encourage the next generation and give them oxygen to inhale.

Rajesh Chadha, managing director of Update Prints Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi India: Indefinite lockdown and painful economic reality coming ahead.

Marco Calcagni, sales director of Omet Srl in Lecco Italy: The coronavirus is a big problem for all the sectors including label. The most critical point is the time. If this problem does not resolve in a few weeks the economy will be changed in the world. Our market is connected to food, pharma and cleaning products, in theory we may be suffering less than some other sectors but now it is very hard for all the managers to take a decision.

Jakob Landberg, sales director of Nilpeter A/S in Copenhagen Denmark: Our production has put in an extra shift – same staff. Same output – but less feet on the floor at same time.

Suresh Valecha, country manager-sales, south of Asia, UPM Raflatac Mumbai India: This pandemic has hit the industry at the slowest time of the decade. At good, India can gain recovery with respect to economy slowdown but due to COVID -19 supplies of raw material can have serious impact on the Industry in near future.

Pawandeep Sahni, managing director of Omet India Pvt. Ltd. Gurgaon India: Because of COVID-19 we see many of our customers deciding to postpone all expansion decisions till at least June 2020. As far as service is concerned, we at OMET, are doing whatever it takes to make sure there is a continued and streamlined operations for all our customers in India and globally. An action team is already in place who is attending to all customers as and when they need support.