Pakistan’s printing and packaging industry is vital to the country’s economy, supporting other key industries like pharmaceuticals, fast-moving consumer goods, auto parts, food, and textiles. However, limited domestic production forces heavy reliance on imports, making the industry vulnerable to price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions. This dependency hampers efficiency, localization, and innovation, restricting productivity growth.

To tackle these challenges, the APO Secretariat and the NPO Pakistan launched the Development of Demonstration Companies (DMP) project on Productivity Enhancement through Resouce Efficiency in the Printing and Packaging Industry with an online meeting on 4 February 2025. The online event was attended by representatives from the NPO Pakistan, the Pakistan Association of Printing and Graphic Arts Industry (PAPGAI), and six participating companies comprising Ensure Printing & Packaging, Makhdoom Printing Press Pvt. Limited, Pakistan International Printers (Pvt.) Ltd., Shannza Pvt. Ltd., United Art Printers, and Vivid Packaging (Pvt.) Ltd.

This six-month initiative aims to establish demonstration companies on productivity enhancement through resource efficiency in the printing and packaging industry. Through the introduction of productivity methodologies and tools such as kaizen, lean manufacturing, 5S, and Six Sigma, the project will help the participating companies optimize resource utilization, reduce waste, and enhance overall productivity.

Through on-site training and technical consultations, the companies will adopt data-driven strategies to minimize waste and improve efficiency. A highlight of the project is the integration of digital dashboards, enabling real-time monitoring of resource utilization and factory performance. By embracing these innovative solutions, the initiative is expected to serve as a model for sustainable growth and set new benchmarks for productivity and competitiveness in Pakistan’s manufacturing sector.