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Repro India Ltd

You are Here : Home > Markets > CompanyInformation > Company Background
BSE Code : 532687 | NSE Symbol : REPRO | ISIN : INE461B01014 | Industry : Printing & Stationery |


Chairman's Speech

I'm pleased to welcome you all to the 31st Annual General Meeting.

The world is experiencing a period of significant change. E-commerce has changed online purchasing patterns. This is driving companies to challenge traditional processes with a view to enhance the efficiency of supply chains, logistics, and customer service.

The publishing industry has long been weighed down by outdated and inefficient processes. Issues like excessive inventory, wasteful transportation, and the obsolescence of printed books, along with the resulting paper waste, have been ongoing challenges. These issues not only put pressure on publishers but also negatively impact the environment due to the excessive use of precious natural resources.

An innovative and efficient supply chain

At Repro, we have been attuned to these changing times and needs.

Our focus has been on using technology to address changing market needs by developing systems and processes that are sustainable for both business and the environment - and most importantly, that enable every reader to have access to every title - global and Indian.

Our tech-based solution revolutionises the traditional supply chain system within the publishing industry. This innovation opens new markets for publishers and offers readers greater access to a variety of books. It allows for the production of books on-demand following online purchases, thereby eliminating many of the challenges faced by the publishing industry. This approach enables environmental sustainability by reducing paper waste, transportation costs, and associated carbon emissions.

Acquisition of domestic and international titles

Having built long-term relationships and trust with publishers over the years, we have acquired and digitised their titles and archived them in our digital repository. These millions of titles from domestic and international publishers have been digitised using Repro's proprietary tech-tools and are ready to be monetised year after year.

Today, we have with us nearly 55% of the GMV (Gross Merchandise Value) of all the books sold.

Strategic e-retailer partnerships

Strategic partnerships with leading e-retailers such as Amazon and Flipkart and other online channels have helped us create new distribution opportunities. These collaborations have expanded access to new geographies and underserved markets worldwide, breaking free from the constraints of traditional physical supply chains. This has enabled books to reach readers in previously overlooked regions. This shift has unlocked significant potential for growth and market expansion.

Books produced after they are sold

By listing our entire digital archive consisting of millions of titles on all the key e-commerce channels, we allow a greater number of readers to access a larger number of titles. Further, once a reader has purchased a title online, we then produce each book on our high-tech Print-on- Demand (POD) facilities, and despatch it to the reader - within 48 hours.

Thus the book is produced after it has been sold and paid for. This generates positive cash flows for Repro - while eliminating all the previously mentioned wastages. With the objective of moving closer to the customer, we have set up mini-pods for production in strategic locations across India.

AI and ML based predictive technology tools

The entire process from acquiring and digitising the titles to the book reaching the reader has been integrated with custom built technology at every stage. This ensures that the reader gets a greater choice of books and gets an authentic, non-pirated book, faster, more cost- efficiently through a more environment-friendly process. Using AI to predict customer behaviour, we are able to help publishers forecast their demands, thus driving efficiencies, seizing opportunities and increasing publisher revenues.

The ability to digitally warehouse all publishers' titles also means that no title is ever out of print. This not only allows them to make available front list titles in mass volumes, but also allows back list title to be produced one book at a time, based on demand.

Import substitution leading to more titles at lower prices

Traditionally, international titles have to be imported into India to reach local readers, particularly in higher education. This has resulted in higher prices and longer wait times, causing multinational publishers to miss out on a significant Indian market and making it difficult for Indian readers to access many titles.

To tackle this issue, Repro has partnered with multinational publishers to meet demand locally and in real-time, thereby reducing reliance on imports. This strategy lowers printing costs, eliminates freight expenses and customs duties associated with book imports, and reduces transportation- related emissions, positively impacting the carbon footprint.

The Integrated Solution Model - pivoting from a cost centre to a revenue centre

Repro has pivoted from the traditional service model of print to cover the entire distribution spectrum upto the MRP that a reader pays for a book. Repro's Integrated Solution Model for publishers ensures that we are able to list their entire catalogue on e-retail channels, making every title always available to readers. We do this by producing it as required - either through POD for back-list titles; or through long run production

for front list titles. This ensures that no title is ever out-of-print. Once a book is sold, Repro pays the publisher royalty.

Further, the Integrated Solution from Repro offers publishers data driven analytics and AI and ML driven predictive tools to forecast reader demand thus driving efficiencies.

Demand generation by reader satisfaction

Bookscape is Repro's online bookstore combining cutting edge technology with human intuitiveness to offer an unmatched book buying experience. Through Bookscape we are creating new opportunities for authors, publishers, and readers to connect with each other. By establishing direct connections with readers, we are streamlining the process and enhancing efficiency. This direct-to- customer approach allows us to offer a personalised and improved shopping experience for readers, while also empowering authors and publishers to reach their target audiences more effectively.

Repro - at the inflection point of growth

In summary, we are at an inflection point of growth due to all the above strategies.

The Integrated Solution has enabled us to pivot from the traditional cyclical service model to the secular and scalable distribution model. Import Substitution for multinationals enables publishers to increase revenues and offer more titles. Data driven analytics helps predict demand and Bookscapes enhances the book buying experience. The setting up of multiple production mini-pods across India, closer to the customer, further drives efficiencies.

With these strategies aligned, our infrastructure and investments in place, we are today poised at the inflection point of growth.

As we approach a new year, we look forward to the coming year with optimism. I want to thank you for your unwavering support, which has kept us motivated, and express my gratitude in advance for your continued wishes.

Thank you,

Vinod Vohra

Chairman