Aiming for competitive edge in the plastics sector

Good relations among the customers with openness for sophisticated technologies serves as the mantra for JRD International, a Dubai-based plastics conglomerate. International Plastics News - Middle East (IRNE) talked to Mr. Anupam Lunavat, Managing Director and Mr. Sagar Verma, head of business on the company's visions and its expansion plans. IRNE: What makes JRD's plastic products and services stand out? Lunavat: JRD International specialises in the production of different rigid plastic packaging products like PET bottles for juices and edible oil packaging; containers for yoghurt and ice cream, plastic sheets for mineral water and printing industry; disposable products like drinking cups, dairy cups, salad boxes, deli containers, plastic trays, yoghurt cups and tubs, plates and bowls and egg covers. We also maintain in-house multicolour printing facilities and offer customised product development, where our specialised team tailors solutions for our customers, primarily based on their specific requirements. Verma: Aside from the PP, PS and PET products, JRD is expected to be the first company in GCC to give packaging solutions using in-mould labelling (IML), which is the latest technology in injection moulding. We take pride for having diverse product lines that include innovative packaging solutions to different industries that demand specialised packaging products. IRNE: How diverse are your markets? Verma: We cater to an extensive network of clients spanning across different continents and exporting to over 25 countries. Our customers are located in the Middle East, United Kingdom, U.S., Mauritius, Africa, M and North Africa (Mena); Sri Lanka, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) nations. Our domestic markets in the UAE extends to the seven emirates. Since Dubai is a regional and global business hub, this becomes our base moving on globally to other regions. IRNE: How do you ensure that you meet your customers' needs? Lunavat: JRD International was an offshoot of Manikchand Group of Industries that drives for constant technological upgrades in its manufacturing facility and adheres to quality standards and procedures. In the same manner, JRD invests in a comprehensive, state-of-the-art facility to respond to the ever- growing demands of the volatile industry. JRD uses capacity creation and market extension and has a professional in-house business development team closely involved in analysing market trends and giving deliverables according to the end-user requirements. "We are open to utilizing new and more advanced technologies to ensure that we are on top of the game." - Mr. Anupam Lunavat, Managing Director, JRD International We give specialised focus on customised product development, providing the customer's specific needs. JRD values market creation by extending assistance in the different stages of product development, from conceptualisation to commercialisation. IRNE: What new technology trends does your company follows or seeks to adopt? Lunavat: JRD's success depends on our continuing undertaking to be technology savvy. We always strive to improve our systems and machinery to improve our operations. Employing third-generation injection stretch blow moulding technology for PET bottle manufacturing, the first of its kind in the UAE, is now underway. Once commercial production kicks off, we will have a capacity of 150 million bottles per annum, making JRD a pioneer in this segment. We are also in the final stage of upgrading our existing enterprise resource planning systems. It also includes plans to create an intranet facility for our clients, giving them a web-based interface for placing orders, tracking facilities and status updates. IRNE: How important is your workforce? Verma: We have a workforce of 350 professionals and we also have a dedicated R&DAir Foamposite One Pro