ICCRA to hold forum during Re-India

Even as refillers and remanufacturers across the country gear up to
participate in the Re-India Expo to be held in Mumbai in March, Indian Cartridge
Remanufacturers and Refillers Associaion (ICCRA) is all set to hold a forum just
before the event commences. Talking about the same, Vishal Dassani, President,
ICCRA stated, “A day before the meet commences we will invite the participants
to discuss two very important issues related to our industry. While the primary
issue revolves around the printer OEMs and the practice adopted by them whereby
they are trying to restrict the refillers and remanu-factures from expanding
their business, the second issue is engaging as many members as possible in
order to discuss the technical aspects related to refilling and
remanufacturing.”

Elaborating further, Dassani mentioned the OEMs are trying to stop the
remanufacturing and refilling industry from flourishing because this is
affecting their (OEM) business on a large scale. He further added that the
remanufacturers sell printers at half the price of the OEM product, that too
without compromising on the quality. Thus customers are willing to buy our
products when given a choice as it is cost effective for them. “We want free
trade and co-existence of both the OEMs and our industry. If required we will
approach the government to look into the matter,” stated Dassani.

In US and European countries, the government has made a provision for both
the OEM and remanufacturers to co-exist. While globally remanufacturers share a
business of 20 to 30 percent it is only two to three percent in India.

In addition to this ICCRA is also planning to set-up an R&D center in
Bangalore. The association wants to further enhance the quality of the printers
being produced by the remanu-facturers and hence will be releasing ICCRA
certified products through the center.

On the other hand, Puneet Singhal, President, Computer Media Dealers
Association (CMDA) Delhi stated that they would support ICCRA efforts.
Commenting on the OEM practice

he said a dealer is blacklisted by OEMs if caught selling the remanufactured
printers.

In a bid to restrict the refilling practice some of the OEMs have started
placing chips in cartridges, an important part of the printer. To refill a
cartridge the refiller needs to open it and then fill it up with powder. Placing
a chip implies that once opened the printer would cease to function.