At Its BeST
Face to face - Tappan Patel, Managing Director, BST Sayona Automation Pvt Ltd.

‘Success is all about doing right thing, in right way, at the right time.’ The phrase goes well with Tappan Patel, Managing Director, BST Sayona Automation Pvt Ltd, who partnered with BST International at a time when the Indian market was looking for a complete Automation Package in printing and packaging industry. BST Sayona an Indo-German joint venture company was established in 1993, specializing in providing automation control systems for printing, packaging, tire and steel industries. The company has its head office in Mumbai and branch offices in six metros with the manufacturing unit in Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat.

The Origin
“It was on the very first day of my job in the converting industry that I decided to move towards something more technology oriented,” says Mr. Tappan Patel. Searching for a company to help him with this thought process; he landed upon the German group - BST International, a market leader in manufacturing of web guides and video inspection systems. “We were looking for a company with strong background and BST International fit the bill. We got into a joint venture with them and that is how BST Sayona was formed in 1993,” reveals Mr. Patel.

Challenges En route
When BST Sayona entered the Indian market, it marketed only BST’s range of products that is web guides and the video inspection system. “The initial years, however, were not that easy,” says Mr. Patel. “We did face the challenge of understanding the Indian market and the requirements of an Indian customer.” he adds.

It took us time to realize that most of the Indian customers were looking for a single window shopping. “So, if you are specializing in automation product in printing & packaging, or manufacturing accessories for these industries, the customer would look forward to have a complete package from you,” asserts Mr. Patel. “It took us time to realize that if we added a couple of products to our range, we would become more competitive and approachable,” he adds.

And with that move, BST Sayona never looked back.

Plant & Process
“We have our factory in Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat,” states Mr. Patel. The R&D department of the company is also based at the factory. “We have a development team out there to work on new ideas and products. The recent additions in our product line owe their origin to this department”.

What’s New
BST Sayona specializes in automation in printing & packaging and works as a solution finder for its customers. Latest addition in its product line is the 100% Defect Detection system for web as well as the off set printed sheets.

Awards & Achievements
Not giving too much of importance to be in the limelight, Patel says, “Our customers are our awards. “Perfecto” our first 100% 100% Defect Detection system for sheets was sold to ITC, Chennai. I believe that was a big achievement in itself,” he adds. The company takes every new addition to its product line as a part of its accomplishment.

Competition, Customers
“Since our inception, we have seen just one company moving parallel with us - Erhardt+Leimer. Both of us are the leaders today in automation of printing and packaging,” declares Mr. Patel. However, he believes that some other European companies coming in scene might give competition to the company is coming years.

For BST Sayona, human relationship and constant interaction with customers has always been a priority. “This attitude of our company has helped us retain our customers as well as expand our base,” opines Mr. Patel. Talking about the important customers of BST Sayona, Mr. Patel says “I believe every customer is an important customer for us. It does not matter on the volume of business we do with them.

What Next!
BST Sayona is looking forward to creating its own identity in the global market. Sharing the company’s future aspirations, Mr. Patel says, “We want to present the products developed by our company to the foreign market. It would be our on independent venture supported well by our German partners.”

<tpatel@bstsayona-india.com>

28.01.2009