Founder Profile

Introduction

Mr. Masood Ahmed Khan is a true pioneer in India's imaging and printing industry. As the founder of both Image Star and Image King, Khan's journey is marked by his unwavering dedication, innovative approach, and resilience. With over 29 years of experience, he has successfully transformed Image Star into India's leading provider of printing solutions and a dominant force in the compatible toner cartridge market.

A Journey of Resilience, Innovation, and Success

Born into a modest background and facing language barriers, Khan's early years were filled with challenges. However, his determination and resilience allowed him to overcome these obstacles and lay a strong foundation for his future success. Starting his career as a delivery boy in the imaging industry, Khan quickly progressed to marketing and sales roles.

In 1995, Khan took a bold leap by founding Image Star with his personal savings. Operating from a small 200 sq. ft. space in Chennai, he began manufacturing dot matrix ribbon cartridges. Over the past 29 years, Image Star evolved into a major player in the imaging industry, with the Image King brand becoming synonymous with high-quality compatible toner cartridges, toner powders, and other imaging consumables. Today, Image King operates across 2,000 cities in India, with plans to expand to 4,000 cities.

Driven by a desire to build an internationally recognized Indian brand, Khan's vision for the future includes making Image King a global leader in imaging consumables.

A Commitment to Quality and Affordability

Khan's business philosophy is based on the understanding that "cheap cannot be the best, and the best cannot be cheap," but high-quality products can still be made affordable. This belief positioned Image King as a leader in India’s imaging aftermarket, competing against international brands while focusing on innovation and cost-efficiency.

Under Khan’s leadership, Image King became a pioneer in toner cartridge refilling, and later, a major supplier of compatible toner cartridges. In recent years, Khan has further diversified the company’s product offerings by adding thermal billing and barcode printers, along with "Make in India" laser printers. Image King is now planning to expand into the production of thermal paper rolls and A4 copier sheets.

Embracing Competition and Driving Innovation

Khan views competition as a catalyst for growth and innovation. He has cultivated positive relationships with competitors and believes that the real challenge lies in competing with oneself. This philosophy has contributed to Image King's double-digit market share and its rapid expansion, including plans for a fully automated robotic manufacturing unit for toner cartridges, a first in India.

Driven by a desire to build an internationally recognized Indian brand, Khan's vision for the future includes making Image King a global leader in imaging consumables. His unwavering commitment to excellence, coupled with his innovative approach and entrepreneurial spirit, has positioned Image Star and Image King as industry leaders, setting a benchmark for quality, affordability, and sustainability.

A Philanthropic Visionary

Mr. Khan has a profound trust in God and strongly believes that happiness multiplies when shared. He also holds the conviction that giving back to society is essential. He has returned to his alma mater, establishing the first-ever Alumni Association in the school's 97-year history. As the founding secretary, he has played a pivotal role in modernizing the school's infrastructure, providing modern classrooms, hygienic washrooms, and arranging scholarships for deserving students.

Mr. Khan has also supported charitable causes through the Rotary Club. He has donated dialysis machines to hospitals, ensuring access to life-saving treatment for those in need. Additionally, he has arranged salaries for teachers to continue providing quality education to students.

Open to Synergies

Mr. Khan is committed towards creating positive impacts around the business and social ecosystem to build a strong nation. He is interested to synergize with Government Agencies, Industry Bodies, Press, and NGOs to collaborate on initiatives that address pressing challenges and drive sustainable development.

With his extensive experience and industry expertise, Mr. Khan is well-positioned to contribute to a wide range of initiatives, including:

The Impact LAB

• MSME Empowerment & Innovative Startups: Promoting sustainable business practices and encouraging the innovation, adoption of environmentally friendly technologies.
• Social Impact Programs: Collaborating on social impact programs to address issues such as poverty, education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability.
• Skill Development Initiatives: Partnering with government agencies and industry bodies to provide vocational training and skill development programs to enhance employability.
• Sustainable Business Practices: Promoting "Make in India" Printing Solutions and Environmental Stewardship by promoting sustainable business practices, Image Star and Image King are contributing to a greener and more self-reliant printing landscape in India.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Fostering public-private partnerships to leverage resources and expertise for the benefit of the community.
• Policy Advocacy: Advocating for policies that support the growth and development of diverse industries & promote innovation.

By working together, we can harness the power of collaboration to create a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future for all. Mr. Masood Ahmed Khan invites interested organizations to explore potential synergies and join him on this journey of positive impact.