Gi2 Merchants LLP (formerly Goel Imports) to Expand their Imaging and Office Supplies Portfolio Next Year

In an interaction with Imaging Solution magazine, Mr. Tarun Gupta, Director, Gi2 Merchants LLP (formerly Goel Imports) shares their company’s latest operations, challenges, and outlook. Today, Gi2 Merchants LLP is a leading New Delhi-based importer, trader, supplier, wholesaler, and distributor of imaging products and office supplies. Gi2 Merchants LLP provides imaging products in bulk as well as under their own brand name Gi2. Their product portfolio includes compatible laser toner powders, cartridges, and lamination machines & consumables. Recently, they added some new laminators to their portfolio. Mr. Sanyam Gupta (S/o Mr. Tarun Gupta), has started sharing the responsibility of managing the company affairs since 2016.

Mr. Tarun Gupta comments, “I joined our family business run by my father in 1989 which was dealing in clothes and carpets. In 2001, I started Goel Imports with lamination pouches; in 2013, we added copier and printer machine and cartridge components (including OPC drums); and in 2015, we added cartridges, toners; in 2016, my son Sanyam Gupta joined the business. In 2019, we launched our branch office-cum-warehouse in Bhiwandi, Mumbai. I want Mr. Samyam Gupta to take over the business responsibilities gradually because in future he is going to be the sole in-charge.”

Mr. Tarun Gupta shares, “In early 2021, we added heavy-duty lamination machines, photo glossy paper, die cutters, and paper cutters and all this will be sold under our brand name Gi2. Our laser toner powders and cartridges had been getting very good demand from our pan-India customer base, but after the pandemic, there is a drop in business. Right now we have reached 50% of pre-Covid levels (prior to Mar 2020). Delays in the delivery of imports from abroad, increases in freight charges, anti-dumping duty, etc have led to the shortage of toners, toner cartridges, and other materials and pushed up the prices, and brought down the profit margins. Quality is our main selling point and we import only from the standard and tested providers from China. Our prices are affordable but not the lowest because quality comes at a cost. We have a pan-India customer base and we are adding new partners and customers every year.”

Gi2 Merchants LLP brand Gi2 is a popular brand among the customers across India and the product portfolio under their brand includes OPC drums for laser cartridges, toner powders and compatible toner cartridges, lamination machines, lamination pouches, etc with a customer-base spread pan-India. Gi2 Merchants LLP also provides these products in bulk for those who need them.

Mr. Sanaym Gupta comments, “It is exciting to learn from my father about managing the business. In the coming years, I want to share more responsibility in running our business. Our branch and warehouse in Mumbai are doing well; we are able to provide the products within short time intervals to our customers in South Indian states and also in the West Indian states of Maharashtra and Gujarat; the supply time intervals have reduced significantly and taken us several steps closer to our partners and customers. Once the pandemic situation improves, we want to make new plans.”

Regarding future plans, Mr. Tarun Gupta briefs, “Currently, we are growing at an average annual rate of 20%. In the future, we want to trade in higher quantities, increase our brand presence further and expand our business. We hope the business to improve only by early 2022 once the schools, colleges, and jobbers start working full-time. WFH and LFH have had little impact on our business. Because the COVID pandemic situation is still uncertain, we want to wait and watch before making new plans.”