Successful case of hot stamping foil slitter with Indian customer

On December 25, 2023, during the Christmas holiday, I received an inquiry from an Indian client. The customer introduced himself as an intermediary, seeking a hot stamping film slitting machine for his end user, Karul Holo Science India Limited. Despite the holiday, I promptly responded to the email and proactively connected with the customer on WhatsApp to ensure smoother communication.

During our initial discussions, I discovered that the customer had strict requirements regarding the machine’s precision and stability. However, since their end customer had not yet finalized the project specifications, the procurement plan remained uncertain. Nevertheless, I maintained regular follow-ups every month, sharing detailed technical specifications, case demonstration videos, and market insights to address their concerns. Over time, these efforts helped establish a stronger sense of trust between us.

As of February 2024, our communication with the client became more frequent. The customer raised numerous highly technical questions, such as:

The tension control accuracy of the slitting machine
How the blade material affects the edge quality of the hot stamping foil

Although hot stamping foil slitting is not my core expertise, I proactively collaborated with our technical team to provide detailed explanations, comparative data, and tailored recommendations.

During this phase, the intermediary also requested multiple machine models for performance and cost comparisons. Given the strict budget constraints from the end customer (Karul Holo Science India Limited), each proposal required careful cost-benefit analysis, making the process particularly time-consuming and complex.

The true test came in June 2024 when the customer presented a critical challenge. Their end client required processing of both hot and cold stamping foils – extremely thin materials that generated significant dust during slitting operations. Concerned about operator safety, they demanded a technological solution to this issue.

After careful evaluation, our engineering team proposed integrating a specialized dust extraction system. While this solution couldn’t achieve 100% dust elimination, it effectively addressed the bulk of particulate dispersion. The implemented system:

Significantly reduced airborne dust particles
Created a safer working environment
Demonstrated our commitment to operational safety

This technical enhancement provided substantial protection for personnel while maintaining production efficiency.
After months of negotiations, we finally secured an on-site factory inspection and material testing by the end customer’s technical team. However, during the actual testing day, the customer unexpectedly requested an additional external vacuum suction box for waste edge collection – a modification requiring extra equipment and costs.

Facing this last-minute requirement and tight deadlines, we fix all the following issues:

Immediately convened technical discussions that continued through the night.
Developed a viable modification solution within 48 hours
Provided a detailed supplementary quotation
Proposed flexible commercial terms including:
Split payment options
Extended warranty coverage

While initially hesitant about the additional costs, our rapid response and adaptable approach ultimately addressed all customer concerns, keeping the project on track.

Following 15 months of technical and commercial discussions, including 3 machine modifications and 5 price negotiations, we finalized the order on March 12, 2025. When component brand changes were requested during production, we rapidly coordinated with suppliers to maintain the delivery schedule. On April 30, the machine was completed as scheduled, here is the testing video.

This collaboration taught me that international business success depends less on technical solutions than on patiently bridging cultural gaps and adapting to changing needs. Our consistent responsiveness and detailed proposals ultimately won the customer’s trust, proving that global trade is about building relationships, not just moving products. Their final compliment – ‘Your persistence through our changes shows real partnership’ – perfectly summarizes this experience.”