‘Maximise sales before profits to keep customers happy,’ says Binayak Tripathy of Compuprint

Company: Compuprint Printing Press

Founder: Binayak Tripathy

Place: Cuttack, Odisha

Turnover: Rs 15 lakh

Cuttack-based Binayak Tripathy (47), a lecturer in a private college, was finding it difficult to cover his expenses from his salary. He decided to start his own business and launched Compuprint Printing Press in 1995, to be more independent and to make a better living. The company specialises in printing books, cards, leaflets, posters and more.

Tripathy says, venturing into the printing sector had its own reasons. “As I was not happy with my salary, I had started working part time at a desktop-publishing centre even though it was different from my teaching job. Here, I noticed that we had to approach printers for almost everything and the overall demand in this sector was increasing,” says Tripathy.

“I also realised I had a good network of students, relatives and friends, which could act as an initial customer base if I wanted to start my own company. Looking at the increasing demand for printers and my network of potential customers, I started to save more so I could launch my own business. When I had saved enough, Compuprint was officially launched. I then purchased an offset and digital printer, which could print all kinds of material,” says Tripathy.

Over the years, Tripathy has invested about Rs 15 lakh in the company, and last year, it recorded a turnover of Rs 15 lakh.

“A key milestone which made us successful was receiving good orders from various government departments in a short span of time,” he explains.

“There are more than a hundred printers in and around Cuttack. But we are doing well since we are provide good quality and speedy service to our customers.”

Tripathy says he is now facing a bigger challenge from his competitors. “Right now, we are facing more competition than usual. The paperless work from our clients is another challenge. Apart from this, we are also facing shortage of orders from government departments,” he says.

These challenges can, however, be addressed through Compuprint’s high-quality design and printing quality, which, according to him, can “bring cheer to the customers and maximise sales first before looking at profits.”

He says, it is also important to use the latest printers and technology, where the cost of input is low, so that one can maximise profits. He says,

“I advise new businesses in this sector to follow this model. As an entrepreneur, it is also critical to develop and sustain cordial relationships with all stakeholders, because quality and timely work serves well to attract more customers.”

Apart from this, Tripathy is also interested in making biodegradable bags after the plastic ban in Odisha. “The officers from MSME-DI, Cuttack have guided me in this, and I expect their advice soon so that I can start this unit. More subsidies and work orders from the government will also greatly help my business,” he says.

(This story is published in partnership with the MSME Ministry to showcase success stories of SMEs)