Akshay Gupta: Combining expertise and market know-how

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is home to world-class plastics manufacturers whose products have been meeting stringent international standards for quality and safety. One company, Emirates Polystyrene Industries (EPI), believes in operating a business with a thriving conscience. Product efficiency, a wide range of offerings and impeccable quality created EPI into one of the frontrunners in the Middle East markets today.

Founded by Bali Gupta, the company grew from a modest start in 1987 to one of the finest plastic product manufacturers in the region. The reins were handed down to his son, Akshay Gupta, the current Managing Director, in 2007, who plans to lead the organisation to new heights in terms of market growth and product excellence. In a recent interview with International Plastics News – Middle East (IRNE), Mr. Gupta provided an overview on the company’s rise into its current enviable position through the expertise it has acquired over the years.

IRNE: EPI currently offers a whole range of products. Can you please name the target industries for your products?

Mr. Gupta: EPI produces jerry cans mainly used in the chemicals and lubricants, edible oil and detergents industry. We also offer a range of thermoform cups, tubs, trays, lids and PET bottles used across the dairy, ice cream, beverages and food products/supplies industry.

In addition, EPI also manufactures high-quality plastic sheets available in PP and PS grades and plastic drums designed for industrial and food packaging purposes.

In terms of service proposition, we perform in-house injection moulding, blow moulding, thermoforming, extrusion, shrink sleeve and labelling and screen printing. Our expertise encompasses but is not limited to custom, single and double wall industrial blow and injection moulding, engineering services, complete mould making capabilities (CAM) and flexible product choices. These are offered to the growing range of customers from industries who are in need of our services.

IRNE: To where do you attribute EPI’s expertise and success in your target markets?

Mr. Gupta: As an organisation, EPI thrives on the unique concept of producing excellent deliverables. Our multiple manufacturing facilities and strengths include Mauser technology for manufacturing drums, state-of-the-art European machinery and technology for injection and blow moulding, a world-class production facility and highly-skilled work force of true professionals who are truly qualified in their craft. All these contribute to the present EPI expertise and experience in dealing with the demand and requirements of our customers and target markets.

IRNE: How strong is EPI on quality control, compliance and environment-friendly initiatives?

Mr. Gupta: EPI runs a strong and coherent in-house quality control and compliance unit which conducts intensive analysis of all our suppliers, carries out a thorough evaluation of all incoming raw materials, monitors the production processes very closely and repeats the evaluation process on all finished products prior to them being packed and shipped.

We hold a fully-equipped, state-of-the-art laboratory which has forged strong alliances with testing and research institutes locally and internationally. Additionally, we believe that innovation is the key to being distinct hence we continuously invest our time and resources in developing new products for both local and global markets based on extensive research and consumer feedback.

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