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Packing boxes with a 200-year tradition
Changing addresses is not so much of a hassle as transferring your paraphernalia when you shift to a new place of residence, especially if it is some distance away. The longer the distance, the more meticulous you need to be in packing your household wares.
Shifting takes it toll on you not only physically but also mentally. And the biggest setback is when one finds one’s precious objects in a damaged state after moving into a new house.
So, when frequent packing and moving, especially to distant destinations, becomes a headache, think of Ollur, a hamlet in Thrissur. The people here have been trying to make your life easy. They have a history of expertise in making wooden packing cases, a tradition of 200 years. The cases are vital in ensuring the safe transport of your goods.
In and around Ollur, there are 250 units which make wooden packing boxes which reach all parts of India. History indicates that during the British rule in India, sleepers and wooden platforms for railways had been made in Ollur. During the First World War, packing cases were built in Ollur for military purposes. Gradually, the business grew and now, the wooden packing cases of Ollur reach all parts of India and are even used for export.
The process
Rubber wood is used for making the boxes. The wood is cut into planks in the required thickness and size, as per the order. They are nailed later. The process of turning the planks into boxes is done only at the place where it is used for packing things. If they are made into boxes at the outset, the transport charges will be higher for those who use them.
These boxes are used for packing alcohol, fruits, vegetables, heavy machine parts and so on. They are used even for exporting various products.
The boxes are sent to all parts of India. Some 20,000 people earn their livelihood from this business, centred in Ollur. Pricing is fixed according to the size of the boxes.
If you are living in a bungalow, then, a big container will be most suitable. If you are living in a flat or have a small house, then containers of multiple sizes are needed.
“We cut the wood to size and make the boxes and then despatch these to the desired places. The assembling is done at the place where the packing is done,” says P. Sidhardhan, a worker. Thirty people work at the centre where he is employed.
Turnover
The monthly turnover of the 250 production units here is Rs. 2 crore. Top companies such as Telco, Mahindra, Ashok Leyland and Bajaj use the packing boxes from Ollur. The rubber wood is taken on auction and this business is also gaining ground here. The sawdust and waste pieces of wood is used as fuel for cooking and the people of Ollur are also engaged in its trade.
KUNDUR SATHYA NARAYANAN
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