What is made in Pune
Pune's export factories range from small printing and converting units to machine shops supplying vehicle and equipment makers. Government cluster lists name two areas in particular.
| Cluster | Products named | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Printing and packaging, Hadapsar | Label printing, general printing, digital and flexo printing, corrugation | DC-MSME ongoing common facility centres (updated 20 Mar 2024); DC-MSME skill mapping for Pune (undated draft) |
| General engineering, Bhosari | Railway, defence and auto components | DC-MSME skill mapping for Pune; completed and ongoing common facility centres for engineering clusters at Bhosari |
| Precision Metatech Tools Cluster, Bhosari | Precision tooling | DC-MSME ongoing common facility centres (updated 20 Mar 2024) |
| Rubber cluster, Pune | Rubber products | Same list |
The same skill mapping also lists an engineering and auto cluster at Baramati, in Pune district. Pune is not a DGFT Town of Export Excellence; in Maharashtra the list names Bhiwandi and Kolhapur, both for textiles.
What we check for Pune products
| Product | Checks on the day |
|---|---|
| Corrugated cartons and boxes | Ply count and flute, liner grammage, moisture, manufacturer's joint, dimensions; burst and compression results compared with your load |
| Printed cartons and labels | Colour against the signed proof, text and barcode scans, die-cut and crease, glue lines; see the paper, printing and packaging page |
| Printed books | Page-by-page collation, binding pull, trim, colour against the press proof, ISBN barcode |
| Auto components | Critical dimensions with calibrated gauges, surface and casting defects, heat-treatment records, rust protection; see engine and transmission components and brake parts |
| Machined, cast and forged parts | Dimensions to the drawing, witnessed hardness tests, heat numbers traced to the EN 10204 certificate |
For printed packaging, keep a signed proof and a retained sample of each approved print run; the inspector compares production with them, not with a screen file. For engineering parts, list the critical dimensions on the drawing so the sample size and gauges can be planned.
Board strength, chemical and material tests run in a lab. We pull and seal samples through lab testing coordination.
Common defects in Pune production
| Defect | Where it shows up | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Critical dimension out of tolerance | Machined auto and railway parts | Critical |
| Wrong barcode, missing warning or wrong text | Printed cartons and labels | Critical or major, by market |
| Heat-treatment record missing or not matching the parts | Shafts, gears, fasteners | Major |
| Lower ply or lighter liner than specified | Corrugated export cartons | Major |
| Board moisture too high | Cartons made or stored in the monsoon | Major |
| Pages missing, doubled or upside down | Printed books | Major |
| Colour off the signed proof | Printed packaging | Major or minor, by tolerance |
| Surface rust, burrs, scuffed print | Unprotected steel parts, cartons | Minor |
Timing and logistics
We have no inspector based in Maharashtra, so an inspector travels in and the travel cost is quoted before you book. Pune has an airport and is linked to Mumbai by road and rail; Pune and Mumbai factories usually need separate days.
- Engineering tests: if you want witnessed tests, ask the factory to have gauges, the CMM report and calibration certificates ready, or the visit can run into a second man-day.
- Packaging orders: a during-production inspection at the first print run catches colour and text errors before the full run is printed.
- Monsoon: from about June to September, humid air softens corrugated board. We take moisture readings on the day.
- Festivals: many units slow down around Ganesh Chaturthi, in August or September, and around Diwali.
How to book an inspection in Pune
Send the product, the factory's address and the ready date through the booking form for Pune. Include the drawing or specification, the signed proof for printed goods, and the tests you want witnessed.
An inspection costs US$249 per man-day plus actual travel cost (Band C); see pricing. Within 24 hours we confirm the inspector, the notice we need, the number of man-days and the price. The report arrives within 24 hours of the inspection, with a verdict of Cleared to load, Hold or Not cleared.
Sources
Are you a quality inspector in Pune?
We work with vetted freelance inspectors near the factories we check. You take assignments in your own area, inspect to our checklist, and Clear To Load pays you, never the factory. Apply to inspect with us.