WICMA SYMPOSIUM 2023

WICMA Symposium 2023 was held in the exquisite surroundings of the Radisson Spa & Resorts, Lonavala on 14th & 15th Sept 2023. This was the 10th edition of the Symposium - an event which has evolved into one of the most important industry events in the Western Region.

 

Growth is vital for the survival of any industry and therefore it is very important that we are abreast with the latest strategies to drive growth in our respective businesses. It was in this context, that the theme of this year's WICMA Symposium was chosen as 'BUSINESS STRATEGY FOR GROWTH'.

The event saw a record attendance of over 260 participants comprising corrugators, paper mill owners, machinery and accessory suppliers from all over India. CORPEX 2023, a table-top exhibition, with 12 exhibitors, was held as a synchronising event.

The inaugural session was held on the first day. The lighting of the ceremonial inaugural lamp provided an auspicious start to the proceedings. WICMA members, Shri Ashish Gandhi & Shri Dushyant Patil were felicitated on their elevation to the top posts of two local Industry Associations. There was a celebration and felicitation of the R&D Centre Team for being bestowed with the highly coveted NABL accreditation as well as being approved by Director General Shipping, Govt of India as an IMDG testing centre for UN Certification for corrugated packaging used in shipping hazardous goods by SEA. On the occasion, Shri M. Rajagopal of M/s. McSparr Test Systems & Chemicals Pvt Ltd. was felicitated for his support in manufacturing a crucial equipment with non-standard specifications within the shortest lead time.

Shri Pradip Bosmaya, Past President of WICMA & FCBM, was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his meritorious and dedicated services to WICMA and the Corrugated Industry.

The Symposium program comprised information-packed technical sessions, panel discussion and a vivacious Evening program where a musical band regaled participants while they enjoyed a Gala Dinner. The technical sessions spread over two days were based on the Symposium Theme - 'BUSINESS STRATEGY FOR GROWTH'.

The first was a motivational session addressed by Dr Radhakrishnan Pillai, one of India’s foremost business authors famed for his Chanakya series. He enlightened delegates on the strategies to overcome challenges and drive business growth.

There were two panel discussions – one on kraft paper and the other on corrugated machinery. Panellists comprised representatives of some prominent paper mills and corrugated machinery manufacturers. There was a lively discussion on quality matters, new innovations, and technologies.

The technical session titled "Corrugator's perspective on Business Strategy for Growth" had two corrugators, Shri Hemendra Agrawal from Jaipur, Shri Aditya Agarwal from Guwahati, Shri Vernon Mathias from Goa and Shri Rakesh Shah from Pune , who presented on successful strategies implemented by them to overcome challenges and which were instrumental in substantial growth of their own enterprises.

This was followed by sessions by Shri Subhasis Kumar Roy on "TRUE CARE – An Industry 4.0 Initiative in Maintenance", Dr Ipshita Guha on "Who is my Customer? Rethinking Business Strategy" and Shri Pravin Jagtap on "Transmissions in Corrugation Industry".

The program comprised information-packed technical sessions, panel discussion and a vivacious Evening program where a musical band regaled participants while they enjoyed a Gala Dinner.

WICMA AGM was held on 14th Sept 2023. The new President Shri Anil Loya took charge from Shri Kirtikumar Gandhi. Shri Rohit Bubna was elected Vice President. At the Managing Committee meeting following the AGM, Shri Shlok Kedia was nominated as Hon. Secretary and Shri Satyajit Patel was nominated as Hon. Treasurer.

WICMA thanks Sponsors and Exhibitors and delegates who supported and participated in WICMA SYMPOSIUM 2023, making it one of the most successful and memorable events in recent times.

Click here to view gallery of Symposium 2023

WICMA SYMPOSIUM 2019

WICMA’s Annual Symposium revisited Goa, when its Ninth Edition was held on 23rd &24th September 2019 at the Zuri White Sands Resort & Casino, Varca Goa. WICMA hosted the 4th FCBM Managing Committee meeting for the year. FCBM MC members and symposium delegates partook of the knowledge-enhancing Symposium program while experiencing Goan "Susegad"

 

As technologies evolve and new materials are discovered, one predominant concern that weighs on the human mind is the environment and ecological balance. How this one factor is dealt with, will determine what will survive and succeed in the field of packaging. It is in this context, that the Theme of Symposium 2019 was "GREEN PACKAGING OF THE FUTURE' - CORRU BOX".

The technical sessions elaborated this theme and provided delegates with food for thought.

GET MOTIVATED!
Interpersonal Skills
Speaker: Shri Vasudev R. P. Valawalkar

GO GREEN!
Green Adhesives for Corrugated Boxes
Speaker: Mr. Bhasker Reddy - Amylodex, Hyderabad

SHOP FOR MORE!
Retail-Ready Packaging (RRP) and Shelf-Ready Packaging (SRP)
Speaker : Mr. Haresh Mehta Jayna Packaging, Mumbai

DEBATE ON THE APT TEST
SCT Or RCT ? – Which is better?
Speaker: Shri Ramkumar Sunkara P. R. Packaging Service, Mumbai

SETTING STANDARDS
Standard Box Sizes for Small Quantity Orders
Speaker: Shri Ramkumar Sunkara P. R. Packaging Service, Mumbai

An excellent cultural programme spiced with Goan flavour refreshed and regaled delegates in the evening and night

Shri Dilip Patel, WICMA R&D Chairman and veteran of WICMA and FCBM Managing Committee was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his meritorious and dedicated services to WICMA and the Corrugated Industry.

CORPEX 2019 – a Table Top Exhibition, organised at the venue and had 10 exhibitors comprising suppliers of paper, adhesives, heating equipment, inks, corrugating rolls, and dies.

There were more than 220 participants hailing from different parts of the country

Click here to view gallery of Symposium 2019

WICMA SYMPOSIUM 2018

The Eight Edition of WICMA's Annual Symposium was held on 2nd & 3rd August 2018 at Evershine Keys Prima Resort, Mahableshwar. There were more than 215 participants hailing from different parts of the country.
 
The theme of the 2018 WICMA Symposium was 3Ps "Improve Product, Enhance Productivity, Improve Profit".

The following technical sessions were held.

 
 

a. Cost Optimization by design - by Mr. Dharmendra Pandya

b. Weight Ratio for achieving correct balance - by Mr. Ram Kumar Sunkara.

c. Panel discussion - Square meter costing of corrugated boxes. Panelists - Mr. Ram Kumar Sunkara, Mr. Manoj Gorte, Mr. Vernon Mathias, Mr. Vijay Panjabi, Mr. Shahzad Sheikh

d. New generation hybrid starch adhesives for increased productivity and enhanced product quality, - By Mr. Bhaskar Reddy

e. Inventory Control - by Mr. Amit Jain

f. Small Automations in Semi-Automatic Plant – by Mr. Sanjay Bothra

Shri R. R. Ankola, WICMA Veteran and Past President of both WICMA and FCBM, was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his meritorious and dedicated services to WICMA and the Corrugated Industry.

CORPEX 2018 – a Table Top Exhibition, organised at the venue and had 10 exhibitors comprising suppliers of paper, adhesives, stitching wire suppliers, machinery, binding cloth, testing equipment.

Click here to view gallery of Symposium 2018

WICMA SYMPOSIUM 2016

WICMA's Annual Symposium, its seventh edition was held on 29th & 30th September at Hotel Deltin, Daman. Daman, located to close to Vapi and home to many corrugators and paper mills.

 

This year's Symposium focussed on paper parameters and their effect on boxes, safety precautions in a box plant and emerging trends in Corrugated Packaging.



 

The following technical sessions were held.

a. GST – Current Status & Impact on our Industry

b. Panel Discussion with Paper Mills – Discussion on What's New, White Spots, Lineal Meters, pH, RCT, BS etc

c. Preventive Measures – Fire Safety – Discussion on How to Start Right, How to Cover Right, How to Claim Right and How to Prevent Fire.

d. Improvement Measures – Profit Margin – Discussion on Improvements in Corrugating Rolls, How Large Dia Paper Reels Improve Margins, Improvements in Box Compression Strength and How to Make Dry Boards in a Semi Auto Plant.

The Symposium was rounded off by a visit to M/s. GayatriShakti Paper & Board Limited.

CORPEX 2016 – a Table Top Exhibition, organised at the venue in a comfortable air-conditioned hall, had 22 exhibitors comprising suppliers of paper, adhesives, stitching wire suppliers, machinery, binding cloth, testing equipment and a bank.

Click here to view gallery of Symposium 2016

WICMA SYMPOSIUM 2015

The sixth edition of WICMA’s annual event, WICMA Symposium 2015, was held on 3rd and 4th September 2015 at Hotel Cidade de Goa, Panaji.
 
The Symposium was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Mr. Francis D'souza, Deputy Chief Minister of Goa. Mr. Sandeep Bambolkar, Jt. Managing Director, Indoco Remedies Pvt. Ltd. was the Guest Of Honour.
 
Shri Deepak Killawala, WICMA Veteran and Past President of both WICMA and FCBM, was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his meritorious and dedicated services to WICMA and the Corrugated Industry.



The Theme of the 2015 Symposium was Corrugated Packaging for Perishable Goods

The following technical sessions were held:.

  • "David v/s. Goliath" by noted consultant and motivational speaker, Mr. Walter Vieira
  • Packaging of fish and fish products by Dr. Dr. T. K. Srinivas Gopal, Former Director of Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi
  • Bio Degradable Water Repellant Coating by Mr. Shrikant Athavale
  • Special Additives for Glue used for Cold Storage Application by Mr. Bhaskar Reddy
  • Testing of Stitching Wire, by Mr. Navratn Tolaseria
  • High Speed Die-Cutting Applications for Perishable Products by Mr. Amogh Talatule
  • Packing of Cut flowers for Export by Mr. Ramkumar Sunkara
  • High Speed Digital Printing on Corrugated Board by Mr. Natarajan Vaidyanathan
  • Interactive Session with Members moderated by Mr. Ramkumar Sunkara
  • The cultural session on 3rd evening featured a musical programme peppy Goan and Hindi film Songs

The concurrent table-top Corpex exhibition included paper dealers, raw material suppliers, and machinery manufacturers.

Click here to view gallery of Symposium 2015

WICMA SYMPOSIUM 2014

The fifth edition of WICMA’s annual event, WICMA Symposium 2014, was held on 12th and 13th September 2014 at Hotel Rama International, Aurangabad.

The Symposium was inaugurated by the chief guest, Shri Shriram Dandekar, Vice Chairman & Executive Director, Kokuyo Camlin Ltd. Dr. Shivshankar Mishra, Professor Emeritus, Institute Of Hotel Management, Taj Group Of Hotels and Member, Governing Body, IIP was the Guest Of Honour Shri Deepak Killawala, Vice Chairman, Symposium Committee spoke about the objectives of Symposium. Shri Bharat Parekh President WICMA, welcomed the guests and participants.

Shri B. J. Purohit, WICMA Veteran and Past President, was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his meritorious and dedicated services to WICMA and the Corrugated Industry.

The symposium had a number of technical sessions on variety of management and industry related issues as follows.

1. Lean Management by Shri Vinod Manvi

2. Corrugated Box Designs by Shri Amit Chaudhry

3. Buzzer-based Quiz Programme hosted by Shri Ramkumar Sunkara

4. Panel Discussions by Paper Mills and Paper Dealera

5. Effective ways to improve Semi-Automatic Process

The cultural session on 12th evening featured a musical programmer with mello ghazals and melodious songs.

The concurrent Corpex exhibition included paper dealers, testing equipment manufacturers, raw material suppliers, machinery manufacturers and a tour operator.

Around 180 – 200 delegates actively participated in the symposium.

Click here to view gallery of Symposium 2014

WICMA SYMPOSIUM 2013

Hotel Express Inn Nashik

 

WICMA Symposium 2013 was held on 26-27 Sept. 2013 at the Express Inn, Nashik. Shri Baldev Mehta, Chairman, Symposium, in his welcome address highlighted India’s top position in the production of Fruits & Vegetables and the need for appropriate packaging of fresh fruits and vegetables. Mr. Shrirang Sarda, a noted industrialist was the Chief Guest. He congratulated WICMA on organizing such a Symposium and bringing together the fraternity of box makers in Western India.

Mr. Ashok Vyas, Chairman Membership Directory Committee presented the WICMA Member's Directory 2013 for release by Chief Guest. The Directory was well appreciated by all members present.

Shri. Pritambhai Parikh, the veteran of the industry was honoured with the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Award.

In the Two Technical Sessions eminent speakers deliberated on: Packaging of Fresh Fruits & Vegetables, Upgrading of Corrugated Box Plants. Coordination with Paper Dealers was the third session and the fourth session was on SHOP TALK.

Over 200 delegates participated in the symposium – which indeed was a great success for WICMA and the Nashik Division. A gala cultural programme was organized on 26th September along with Cocktails & Dinner.

Click here to view gallery of Symposium 2013 --Photographs can be viewed on WICMA facebook Page

Download Brochure Technical Programme

 

WICMA SYMPOSIUM 2011 at Four Points by Sheraton, Vashi, Navi Mumbai

Symposium 2011

Our Annual Event, WICMA SYMPOSIUM 2011 was held at Four Points by Sheraton Vashi, Navi Mumbai from 23rd to 25th September 2011.

The aim of WICMA's Annual Symposium is to bring together corrugated packaging manufacturers, users, suppliers, as well as others connected with the industry, to provide a common platform to exchange views and discuss current issues related to the progress and development of the industry and also to promote fellowship among our members.

In the year 2011, four Technical Sessions were held.

  • IN SEARCH OF EXCELLENCE
  • INTERNAL FITMENTS – DESIGNS & DEVELOPMENTS
  • PACKAGING OF BULK PRODUCTS
  • PACKAGING OF FRESH FRUITS & VEGETABLES

Table-top Exhibition CORPEX 2011 was held as a synchronizing event.

Click here to view gallery of Symposium 2011

WICMA SYMPOSIUM 2010

17 to 19 September 2010 at Courtyard By Marriott Pune Hinjewadi

WICMA SYMPOSIUM 2010 was held at Hotel Courtyard by Marriott, Pune, Hinjewadi, Pune from 17th to 19th September 2010. A table-top exhibition CORPEX 2010 was also held concurrently. There were more than 220 participants.

Technical sessions were held on

  • Effective Price Negotiation
  • Handling Corrugated Boxes
  • Benefits for SME Sector
  • CoDex – An Index to Track Cost Movement of Corrugated Boxes
  • How to Improve ?
  • Need for Kraft Paper Standardization
  • Benefits of Kraft Paper Standardization
  • Quality Parameters - Test Certificate, Lineal Meterage, Unpasted Joints,
  • Moon Cuts, Loose Winding & Core Pipes

Paper mill owners from Maharashtra and Gujarat were specially invited for the Technical Sessions on Kraft paper and quality parameters.

For entertainment, on the first evening there was a skit presented by WICMA members titled "WICMA-LIVE". Ghazals and old hindi songs and a live orchestra entertained delegates on the second evening.

Click here to view gallery of Symposium 2010



WICMA SYMPOSIUM 2009

9 to 11 September 2009 at Lonavala ( near Mumbai ), INDIA.

WICMA's First Symposium was held between 9 – 11, September, 2009 at Hotel Fariyas Resort, Lonavala, near Mumbai.

A national Conference is arranged by FCBM every year at different and far away locations in the country. Many WICMA members were unable to attend FCBM functions due to logistics and other problems. Further, WICMA has different divisions, i.e. Vidarbha and Sahyadri divisions and it is desirable that all members are able to meet at least once a year. With these objectives in mind and with a view to deliberate on common issues and plans of action for solving difficulties faced by members of WICMA, the Symposium was arranged.

The Symposium was inaugurated on 09.11.2009. Shri B.A. Shah, Past President - FCBM, Past Chairman – I.I.P., Past President – Asian Packaging Federation, Vice President – World Packaging Federation, was the Chief Guest. After the brief welcome by Shri Narendra Vora, President – WICMA, Shri Pankaj Shah highlighted the various activities planned during the symposium. Shri Anil Reddy, President – FCBM gave the inaugural address. Shri Bhaskar Bhai Purohit, Senior Past President – WICMA, wished symposium all success on behalf of all the Past Presidents of WICMA. A beautifully printed Souvenir, containing a few quality articles on contemporary and advanced topics related to corrugated packaging industry was released during the occasion, by Chief Guest, Shri B.A. Shah, along with Shri Baldevbhai Mehta, Chairman Souvenir Committee.

WICMA standard colour chart for flexo inks used in CFB industry, prepared for the first time in India, was released by Shri Anil Kumar Reddy, President – FCBM, on the occasion.

The Chief guest in his address stressed the need for such symposium that help in technical exchange of knowledge, as well as it helps in building brotherhood. He complemented WICMA for taking such bold initiatives and wished symposium all success.

The Certificates to all successful students of various educational Courses of WICMA R & D, were awarded by Shri B.A. Shah during the occasion. Also outstanding students and outstanding speakers of various educational courses were also awarded.

Shri B.P. Agrawal, Vice President – WICMA gave vote of thanks at the end of inaugural function.

A table top exhibition called 'Corpex 2009' was inaugurated by Shri B.A. Shah, Chief Guest, prior to inauguration session. The exhibition had participation from paper mills, paper dealers, machinery manufacturers, suppliers of accessories like dies, ink manufacturers, testing equipment manufacturers, etc. totaling 15 participants. After the lunch break, technical sessions were organized. There were 5 technical sessions spread over 3 days i.e. 9th 10th and 11th September, 2009.

In the first technical session, chaired by Shri Pravin Tapadia, Director, Ideal Wrappers, Nagpur, Dr. Manesh Shrikant, Dean, S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research, Andheri, Mumbai and Prof. Parimal Merchant, of Centre for Family managed Business, of the same institute gave presentations about how proper & professional management can result in excellence even in CFB industry which are mostly family managed SSI units.

In deference to the wishes of many members, video presentation of lectures delivered by Mr. Tony Pinnington, Consultant, Longview Consulting, Somerset, U.K. and Mr. Manish Patel, Managing Director, South India Paper Mill Ltd., during the recently concluded 'Certificate Course in Corrugated Packaging – Automatic Process' organized by WICMA R & D, were shown for the benefit of participants.

3 technical sessions were conducted on 10.09.2009. First technical session had eminent speakers viz. Mr. Rodolphe Keller, Managing Director, Bobst India, Switzerland, Mr. Dietmar Jambor, Sales Manager India, BHS Corrugated Germany, Mr. Ang Gee Leong, Bobst Group, Malaysia, who gave presentations on micro flutes, their evolution, their advantages & emerging new opportunities and interacted with participants. Shri Baldev Mehta, Vice Chairman – WICMA R & D Centre, chaired the session.

The session after the break, was about POP (point of purchase) displays and about emerging new market for them. The session was chaired by Shri Deepak Killawala, Vice Chairman – WICMA R & D Centre. The speakers included Mr. Ang Gee Leong, Mr. Haresh Mehta, Managing Director, Jayna packaging Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai and Mr. Angus West, Managing Director, North West Corrugated Ltd., UK.

The last technical session of the day was about Supply Chain Management and the role of corrugated packaging in supply chain management. The session chairman was Shri Raju Ankola, Managing Partner, Pakrite, Thane. The panel of speakers included Shri Rajiv Dhar, Chairman – I.I.P., Mrs. Savina Gupta, Director, Care Pack Logistic Solutions, Pune and Mr. Angus West. Later as a part of the techno – entertainment programme, a technical quiz was arranged with Shri Ramkumar Sunkara, Vice Chairman – WICMA R & D Centre, as the quiz master. The 5th and the last technical session was held on 11.09.2009, where presentations were largely confined to activities of WICMA. Mr. Narendra Vora, President – WICMA, was the session chairman. Shri Kirit B. Doshi, Vice Chairman – WICMA R & D Centre, gave an update on the activities of WICMA R & D Centre – Present & future.

Shri Vinod Chowdhury, Convener Vidarbha Division and Shri Sharad Shah, Convener Kolhapur Division, gave an update on the various activities of their respective divisions. The AGM of WICMA was held after the morning tea break. There were entertainment programmes during the evenings on 9th & 10th September, 2009 by professional artists, for the benefits of members & their families. 145 members and non-members participated in symposium, many with their family members.

The feedback received from participants amply indicated that the idea of holding symposium was well accepted and members will be looking forward to it as an annual event, preferably at different locations & around the same time of the year.

Click here to view gallery of Symposium 2009