The Asia-Pacific is the largest region for ink manufacturers, with Ink World estimating the market to be $6.5 billion. It is also the faster-growing region, with China and India leading the way.
 
Equipment suppliers have certainly taken notice. For example, Charles Ross & Son has had sizable operations in China (since 1999) and India (since 2007), and with the rapid growth in the region, the company announced significant expansions in its subsidiaries in the past month.
 
“We have enjoyed growth in the double-digits within China and India along with the Asian Rim countries,” said Joseph Martorana, Ross’ VP of corporate operations. “Our expansions in China and India will give us the opportunity to showcase our multinational strengths, giving our customers the comfort of dealing with the leading manufacturer of process equipment with over 170 years of experience at a local level.”
 
On Aug. 31, Ross announced that Ross Wuxi Equipment Co., Ltd., the company’s operations in Wuxi, China, added 30,000 square feet of manufacturing space, and a move to a much larger manufacturing space is underway.
 
Ross Wuxi builds Planetary Mixers, Multi-Shaft Mixers, High Speed Dispersers, as well as pressure vessels, reactors and custom agitators for customers in China and throughout Asia, as well as Europe and South America. Martorana noted that the expansion enables Ross Wuxi Equipment Co., Ltd. to more efficiently handle a surge in new orders from various process industries.
 
Meanwhile, on July 14, 2015, Ross Process Equipment (RPE), Pune, India, held the inauguration of its state-of-the-art 20,000 square foot manufacturing plant and offices. RPE produces numerous Ross lines, including Tumble Blenders, Ribbon Blenders, Planetary Mixers, Multi-Shaft Mixers, High Speed Dispersers, High Shear Mixers, as well as pressure vessels, tanks and other custom-fabricated equipment for customers in India and its neighboring countries.
 
Martorana noted that increasing demand is a key driver for the two expansions. He noted that Ross is the leading manufacturer of High Speed Dispersers, which are increasingly in demand primarily due to customers in the paint, ink and coatings industry worldwide. The company recently shipped more than 50 High Speed Dispersers to just one customer from its India plant. Other Ross equipment supplied to this specific market include High Shear Mixers, Multi-Shaft Mixers and Three Roll Mills.
 
“We recently added 30,000 square feet of manufacturing space to our China operations and increased man power to more than 165 full-time employees to handle a surge of high-volume orders,” Martorana said. “We forecast a steady demand for mixing equipment in this region, hence the proposed move to a new 200,000 square foot manufacturing plant sometime next year.
 
“On the other hand, expanding our operations India has been an attractive option also due to high demand, but cost of labor was a major factor as well,” Martorana added. “Wages in India are significantly less than in China. India’s annual growth of almost 10% could lead the way for India to become one of the three largest economies in the world.”  
 
Ross is well prepared for further expansion in the coming years. Plans to build a 200,000 square foot manufacturing plant for Ross Wuxi are underway, with construction expected to begin in 2016. The Pune, India subsidiary is located on a 2.5-acre site, and can be expanded to double the initial plant space.
 
Martorana added that Ross anticipates further growth in Asia and globally in the coming years.
 
“We are expecting to see continued double-digit growth both in Asia and worldwide,” Martorana concluded.