Liebherr offers a wide range of deep foundation machinery: rotary drilling rigs (LB), piling and drilling rigs (LRB), piling rigs with fixed and swinging leader (LRH), and duty cycle crawler cra?nes (HS). They are also focusing on expa?nd?ing their cooperation networks and their market position in the Indian market, says Gunter Seebacher, Sales Manager, Crawler Cranes and Foundation Equipm?ent, Liebherr India. In a chat with Equipment India, Seebacher talks about the latest technological trends in deep foundations. Excerpts from the interview.

How do you view the current trends and potential in the foundation equipment industry?
The Indian market is a fast-growing market. Modern technology and machines are required and that offers high potential for Liebherr, especially for deep foundation equipment.

What are the solutions offered by Liebherr in special foundations?  
Deep foundation machinery has to be profitable at all costs: highly productive under extreme conditions, reliable under continuous pressure, versatile in their application and operationally economical. Maximum profitability through maximum utilisation, Liebherr deep foundation machinery is known world-wide for these qualities.

In the field of deep foundation, Liebherr not only offers sales and service subsidiaries but also the departments process engineering and technical advice, giving the customers an understanding of the possible processes and applications of Liebherr machinery. Construction engi?neers use many years of experience to develop new methods and applications. They give practical information concerning the types of application and advise custo?mers. Technical advisors provide support for machine operation and jobsite organis?ation and carry out trainings for operators.

What are the latest technology trends in this segment?
Deep foundation work makes various demands on machinery and material. The optimisation and documentation of the working processes are of major importance in completing construction projects cost-effectively and in accordance with the contract. For this purpose, Liebherr offers a wide range of software solutions facilitating not only planning and quality assurance but also process optimisation.

Is there a move towards more green/fuel-efficient technology products?  
Liebherr is definitely moving towards fuel-efficient technology products. Liebherr Bulle is continually developing new systems and standards to improve the Liebherr engines produced in Switzerland.

What are the safety features inbuilt in the machines?
The design of foundation equipment machines is based on Liebherr's many years of experience with deep foundation applications and considers even the heaviest demands, which are nowadays made on modern deep foundation equipment. Steel structure is made with finite element method. Liebherr uses the latest technology and European code standards. The rope crowd system provides the operator with maximum performance and reliability even with the most difficult soils and extreme operational conditions. Furthermore, the rig's drive system excels in remarkably low fuel consumption. The units are fitted with Liebherr diesel engines which consume lesser fuel than comparable competitors' machines.

The multitude of proven Liebherr components used play an important part in the operational reliability of all machines in the LB series. Moreover, the close network of international Liebherr service stations ensures excellent availability in case of a failure or for maintenance work. The automatic case drive of Liebherr foundation equipment allows swift, secure connections for efficient drilling. Safety is a very important aspect for Liebherr.

How do you view the business pattern - is it from the direct user-segment or the rental segment?
For Liebherr-Werk Nenzing, it is a direct user-segment. For special foundation equipment, Indian market is an end-user market.

How do you look at the growth prospects in the next five years?  
We want to become the market leader in a highly sophisticated foundation equipment market.

Do you have plans for setting up a manufacturing facility in India?  
For other product divisions, Liebherr already has production facilities in India. Liebherr-Werk Nenzing GmbH definitely wants to improve its market position in India and therefore, keeps the option of set-ting up a manufacturing facility open.