Over the years, Ankan Graphics Limited has been representing world’s leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like Autoprint, BindEx, DGM Global, and CHM Sheeter Machinery, to mention just a few in the West African subregion. Today, the company has established itself as the preferred Distribution Partner to these leading OEMs across the region in order to fulfil local manufacturing needs. Find out why the company prides itself as the ‘tailored turnkey solutions’ provider for machineries, spares, chemicals and consumables for printing, packaging, corrugation, and publishing industries in this exclusive SPECIAL FEATURE INTERVIEW with the Director, Mr. Kaleeswaran Nadar:
2024 BUSINESS LANDSCAPE CONNOTES DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT BUSINESSES; WHAT DOES 2024 BUSINESS YEAR MEAN TO ANKAN GRAPHICS?
Greetings to WHERE To Print readers. Thanks for this opportunity to share our experience with you. 2024 Business Year has been wonderful as we have been able to provide quality products on a consistent basis to our Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) customers. Not only that, in 2024, we participated as exhibitor for the first time at the biggest packaging, processing, printing and plastics exhibition in West Africa – PROPAK West Africa and we got more new customers. The exhibition was quite energetic as we were able to connect and engage with our current and prospective customers.
“I will enjoin players in the industry to start adopting new and better ideas to improve their businesses for faster turnaround times, better quality output and more profit”.
Team Ankan Graphics LTD at PROPAK West Africa 2024
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU OBSERVE THIS YEAR THAT SUGGESTS IT’S TIME TO REVISIT HOW YOU DEFINE SUCCESS IN YOUR BUSINESS?
With newer enquiries about our product-line especially from new entrepreneurs and existing market leaders, I believe this Year 2025 will be more vibrant and successful. The market is becoming more stable to make concrete plans. Like others have been doing, I will enjoin players in the industry to start adopting new and better ideas to improve their businesses for faster turnaround times, better quality output and more profit. In a nutshell, they should go for advanced technologies that suit their market needs to ensure sustainable success of their businesses.
WHAT PROGRESS DID ANKAN GRAPHICS MAKE IN 2024?
We were able to represent many leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the Printing, Publishing, Packaging, and Corrugation Industries within the West African subregion. And this year 2025, we are elated to be signing contract with DMS Digital – the postpress specialist as the Exclusive Dealer for West Africa.
“We will be sharing our technical knowledge and support to our customers to increase their productivity through free training and seminars”.
WHAT MAKES ANKAN GRAPHICS DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS?
Our motto is to deliver advanced technologies and machineries within affordable price range and excellent quality to the satisfaction of our customers. As we are the bridge between the customers and the machinery manufacturers, we strongly believe in mutually beneficial relationship between the customer and the supplier. So, we are here to serve our customers on behalf of the machinery manufacturers and vice versa. We always ensure a win-win situation for both parties.
WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING THIS YEAR FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS?
We will be sharing our technical knowledge and support to our customers to increase their productivity through free training and seminars. We want to help our customers reduce wastages, downtime and machine maintenance costs.
WHAT ARE THE EXTERNAL FACTORS SHAPING CUSTOMER BEHAVIOUR NOW THAT WILL DEFINE FUTURE PATRONAGE?
Issues such as environmental sustainability, health and wellness of workers, adoption of new technologies especially in a volatile market are some of the trends shaping customer behaviour. Our partner OEMs have already put these issues into consideration before bringing their cost-effective and value-added state-of-the-art machines into the market. That is why our customers are now investing in these new technologies to ensure the sustainable future of their businesses.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE GREATEST (BUT CONTROLLABLE) RISKS PRINT SERVICE PROVIDER FACE IN 2025?
Machine maintenance will be the biggest but controllable challenge. To prevent downtime and increase productivity, print service providers must not only concentrate on this area to reduce stress, downtime and wastages during production, but they should first get the best machine suitable for their production process from suppliers like Ankan Graphics Limited where they will get the best advice from start to finish with after-sales support from our technical team. We also have original spare parts and consumables to ensure no downtime.
WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO MITIGATE RISKS IN 2025 AND BEYOND?
Apart from the ones given earlier, I will also advice players in the industry to invest in new and intelligent machines. Investors should also look for suitable human resource to man these machines and follow laid-down, working practices and procedures on usage of these machines. We are here to give them the right expert opinion.
“The ability to address customers’ issues and concerns, then provide them with the right solutions on time will help grow and sustain any business”.
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS EMERGING TRENDS OR MARKET SHIFTS THAT PLAYERS NEED TO ADDRESS OR TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IN 2025?
With new paper mills entering into the Nigerian market, this year will be the right time to invest in new machineries to increase production capacity in order to adequately serve the market. Investing in new machineries will reduce turnaround time during production and ensure the players meet up deadlines faster and better.
HOW DO YOU ENSURE YOUR OFFERINGS DO NOT FALL SHORT OF YOUR CUSTOMERS’ EXPECTATIONS?
We listen and note their requirements against their budgets before we provide them with the most suitable and best solutions. Once our customers’ requirements are fixed, we contact our partner OEMs to get the proper, affordable and advance machines that suit our customers’ needs. All these are done to ensure we provide our customers with the greatest support they deserve. That is why we are the tailored turnkey solutions provider.
WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE NEW YEAR AND WILL MOTIVATE YOU, YOUR TEAM MEMBERS AND YOUR BUSINESS TO SUCCEED?
We are excited with the way new entrepreneurs and existing market leaders are ready to invest in the right solutions for their businesses. This is a great opportunity for us to show them the right, affordable and best turnkey solutions we offer. We are excited to serve our new and existing customers.
WHAT ARE KEY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP TIPS THAT WILL BE VITAL TO BUSINESS GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY?
The ability to address customers’ issues and concerns, then provide them with the right solutions on time will help grow and sustain any business.
MENTION NEW PRODUCT OR SERVICE OFFERINGS THAT WILL DISTINGUISH YOU FROM THE COMPETITION IN THIS NEW YEAR?
As I noted earlier; this year, we will be representing DMS Digital Technology on postpress and blanking machines for value added packaging; flexo printing machines for label manufacturing sector; paper folding machines and sheetfed narrow webs for printing and publishing sector. This is a game-changer in the industry and we are excited to kick the ball rolling. I should also mention that many more brand leaders are eager to deliver their quality products through us in the West African subregion. So, watch out!
HOW DO YOU STAY UPDATED ON INDUSTRY TRENDS?
Attending industry-inclined seminars, conferences, and participating in world renowned industry-related exhibitions keep me updated.
BRIEFLY TELL US ABOUT ANKAN GRAPHICS LIMITED?
Ankan Graphics Limited Team at PROPAK West Africa 2024
Ankan Graphics Limited is the tailored turnkey solutions provider for the Printing, Publishing, Packaging, and Corrugation Industries. With over 33 years of experience in these industries, we work with our customers from the beginning – to make their vision possible and ensure their sustainable progress in their respective field. With our strong technical and after sales service team, we assist our customers from start to finish as regards their machinery requirements. Not only that, we assist our customers to get the right spares and consumables to ensure smooth operations and profitable adventure in their businesses.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
You’re welcome
Director, Mr. Kaleeswaran Nadar with Business Development Manager, Mr. Kumar Bharat
