They say it doesn’t matter where you start; it’s where you end. Haryana’s Anil Mittal’s story resonates deeply with this sentiment. Born and brought up in Ludhiana, Punjab, Anil had a very humble childhood. His father ran a small woolen manufacturing unit, earning just enough to make ends meet, while his mother was a homemaker.
Despite financial constraints, Anil’s father prioritized education for his children. After graduating, Anil began working at the age of 18 in 1982 as a storekeeper to support himself. His first job was at Bakeman, one of India’s leading biscuit companies at the time, with a starting salary of just ₹350 per month.
Anil’s dedication and hard work soon paid off, leading to rapid promotions. By 1992, he was earning ₹4,900—a significant leap from his initial salary. However, in 2002, Bakeman shut down, leaving Anil in a difficult situation.
Living in a rented house in Delhi, Anil faced rising expenses, especially after marriage and the birth of his two children.
Reflecting on that time, Anil said, “I realized that I had to do something big to provide a better life for my family. I was sure this could only be achieved by building a business.”
The start of something big – Manik Printpack:
In 1993, Anil ventured into entrepreneurship, starting a chemical trading business related to printing. With minimal savings and one employee to support him, he embarked on his journey. In those early days, Anil struggled to make ends meet. He recalls living in a rented house in Faridabad, paying ₹2,500 per month in rent, yet remaining optimistic and committed to his vision.
By 2007, Anil’s persistence paid off when he established his first printing unit, Manik Printpack, with an investment of ₹15 lakh. Reflecting on this milestone, Anil, the Founder and CMD, shared, “This was possible because of one client, NTL Electronics, in the lighting industry. They were my first client, and 80% of my revenue came from them.”
Manik Printpack specialized in offset printing and packaging, particularly large-format printed corrugated cartons and mono cartons. The company’s breakthrough came with an innovative product: the first mono carton for 4ft and 6ft LED batten packaging.
Previously, cartons were cut and taped from the center, but Anil’s design introduced a complete, single carton. This innovation earned Manik Printpack a stellar reputation, and the lighting industry in Faridabad began relying on the company for their packaging needs.
In 2010, Manik Printpack crossed a significant milestone with a turnover of ₹1 crore. By 2016, Anil’s son, Manik, joined the business, bringing fresh ideas and energy. Together, the father-son duo propelled Manik Printpack into the ranks of the top three printing companies in Faridabad.
In 2021, the company expanded with a new unit in Prithla. By 2023, they had built one of the finest manufacturing facilities in the printing industry, covering 1.5 lakh square feet. Today, Manik Printpack is a thriving enterprise, employing over 400 people across two factories—one in DLF Industrial Area Phase 1 and the other in Prithla.
The company specializes in large-format cartons and custom packaging solutions, including batten boxes, cable wire boxes, battery boxes, L-shaped speaker boxes, etc. Equipped with an in-house ink kitchen, CTP plate-making, and advanced infrastructure, it ensures seamless production tailored to client needs.
With a monthly paper processing capacity of over 1,000 metric tonnes and a daily printing capacity of over 4.5 lakh sheets, the company serves 150+ clients, including Havells, Polycab, FirstCry, Livguard, Massimo Batteries, and Swiss Military—delivering up to 2 lakh cartons per day.
The company helps brands order custom boxes online and has been serving over 150 clients, both domestically and internationally. Recently, it also exported packaging boxes to a food company in Australia.
Anil Mittal, CMD and Founder of Manik Printpack, proudly shared, “Today, our turnover is ₹60 crore per year. From humble beginnings to this, we have come a long way, but there’s still much more to achieve.”
Future Plans:
Manik Printpack aims to reach ₹150 crore in revenue within the next five years. The company plans to expand by building more factories and diversifying its client base.
Anil’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple yet profound: “Be fair in your work, be hardworking, and manage your life and business with these principles. Start your business with proper calculations, keeping an eye on sales, expenditure, and profitability.”
He concluded the interview with an inspiring quote: “Jab sapne dekhenge tabhi toh poore honge.” (Dreams come true only when you dare to dream.)
