KYB Conmat, one of the leading global concrete equipment manufacturers, produces concrete batching plants, paving machines, pumps, transit mixers, and self-loading mixers. Kalpesh Soni, Vice President, Marketing, KYB Conmat, speaks on the recent innovations and advancements in their product line.

Can you highlight any recent innovations or advancements in your product line?
We recently launched three new models of self-loading mixers namely CSLM 2500, CSLM 4200L and CSLM 4300S. The 2500 and 4200L mixer models feature reduced horsepower engines and present cost-effective alternatives, without compromising the capacity or efficiency. The 2500 mixer model can be extremely useful in small and medium construction sites where there are constraints regarding space. The 4300S mixer has a high-flow drum design that ensures faster discharge and safer operation. We constantly bring innovations in our products and launch them in the market on a continuous basis as per the industry needs.

How do your products address the specific needs and challenges of the Indian market?
With strong market research, collaborating R&D and strict quality and certification standards, we understand the global market requirements. We tailor our product based on the needs and requirements of the market which helps us to always stay ahead than our competitors. Using our state-of-the-art R&D facilities we develop cutting-edge technologies and adhere to stringent quality and certification standards for our products, enabling us to be one of the best when it comes to the quality of our offerings. We incorporate sustainable materials and manufacturing processes in our equipment. This includes the use of eco-friendly materials and reducing our carbon footprint in the manufacturing process.

Building trust among our end-users is a top priority for us. We have several initiatives in place to make our products safer and more reliable:

Rigorous testing: We subject our equipment to rigorous testing to ensure their safety and reliability. This includes simulations and real-world performance assessments.

User training: We offer comprehensive user training programmes at our premises and at customer sites as well, to ensure that our customers operate our equipment safely and efficiently.

Continuous improvement: We continuously gather user feedback and monitor the performance of our products in the field. This data drives ongoing improvements to enhance the safety and reliability of our equipment.

To bring value additions and enhance our brand value, we focus on the following:

Customer support: We provide exceptional customer support and after-sales service to ensure our customers have a positive experience with our products.

Sustainability commitment: Our commitment to sustainability not only aligns with the global trend but also enhances our brand reputation as an environmentally responsible company.

Community engagement: We engage with local communities in areas where we operate, supporting inclusiveness and social responsibility, which contributes positively to our brand image.

Employee engagement and culture at workplace: The company has always strived towards the betterment of its employees, and it always ensures to create an atmosphere of inclusivity at the workplace, thus enabling a culture that always motivates its people and helps them in their overall development in life.

In summary, our strategies, and initiatives in the areas of global competitiveness, sustainability, safety, and brand enhancement are deeply aligned with “Building India’s Today and Tomorrow”.

What role does technology play in the development of your concrete equipment?
KYB Conmat is one of India’s leading manufacturers of concrete equipment and holds a top three position in most segments, including batching plants (20 cu m to 240 cu m per hour with twin shaft mixing technology), road and canal paving machines, self-loading mixers, concrete pump and transit mixers. We continuously research the market needs, understanding the trends and requirements and integrate smart technologies and automation solutions into our equipment.

Some of them are as follows:

Remote monitoring: Smart sensors and remote monitoring systems allow operators and managers to keep a close eye on equipment performance, fuel consumption, and maintenance needs in real-time, enabling proactive maintenance and reducing downtime.

IoT (Internet of Things): IoT devices and sensors are embedded in equipment to gather data on various parameters like temperature, pressure, and load. This data is analysed to improve equipment performance and efficiency.

Energy efficiency: Equipment is being designed to be more energy-efficient, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Remote fault detection: Our advanced software and SCADA system enables remote operation and fault detection in our batching plant.

Our self-loading concrete mixers machines are IOT enabled, BS-4 and ARAI compliant, and offer better fuel efficiency, high productivity, better mix quality, faster loading, and discharge due to an advance blade design and electronic batching system with printer, produce more concrete per batch by optimised drum capacity, which reduces the overall cost per cubic meter of concrete. Further these self-loading mixers offer superior manoeuvrability by single joystick control, four-wheel steering/four-wheel drive system, also offer superior operator comfort due to reversable operator seat and balanced load distribution on front and rear axles.

Overall, the integration of smart technologies and automation solutions in our construction equipment’s are aimed at enhancing productivity, reducing operational costs, improving safety, and optimising resource utilisation. These advancements are rapidly transforming the industry and enabling more efficient and sustainable construction practices.

What are some key trends shaping the concrete equipment manufacturing industry in India? How is your company adapting to these trends to stay competitive?
The market for construction equipment products in India is showing continuous growth and significant potential, with several key factors contributing to it namely:

Infrastructure development: India has many ongoing and planned infrastructure development projects, which includes roads, bridges, airports, metro systems, smart cities, railways, multimodal logistics parks, etc. These projects are driving the demand for construction equipment.

Urbanisation: India’s urban population continues to grow, leading to increased demand for residential and commercial construction. This, in turn, fuels the need for construction equipment.

Government initiatives: Government initiatives like “Make in India”, “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, production linked incentive (PLI) schemes and focus on infrastructure projects like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, new industrial corridors, etc. have encouraged domestic manufacturing and investments in the construction equipment sector.

Construction boom: The construction industry in India is experiencing a significant boom, driven by private and public investments in real estate, commercial spaces, and industrial projects.

Technological advancements: Advancements in construction equipment technology, such as telematics, IoT integration, and automation, have improved efficiency and productivity in the construction sector.

Improvement in road construction infrastructure, increasing urbanisation rate, and higher investment to boost infrastructure activities serve as the major determinants for the growth of concrete construction equipment in India. With better road transportation infrastructure and a rise in urban population, there exists a greater demand for convenience in personal mobility, healthcare, sanitation, and water supply, among others, which in turn contributes to the boosting demand for construction equipment, attributing to the growth in the construction sector across India.

What opportunities do you see for growth and innovation in the market?
Focus on emerging and sustainable approaches in the entire supply chain is a great opportunity for all the manufacturers of concrete construction equipment. It is necessary to stay informed about technological advancements within the CE industry. Innovations that improve efficiency, sustainability, and digital integration can significantly influence the industry’s prospects.