India?s growth story in non-urban infrastructure construction and mining is now way beyond green shoots? stage, resulting in accelerated sales and usage of wheeled earthmovers and haulage trucks. For OTR tyres, this obviously translates into big business and adequate space to grow. Most reputed manufacturers are also eyeing international markets for such tyres, with a special focus on agriculture applications, in developed countries. In this edition, we present a detailed interaction with Kunal Mundra, Managing Director, CEAT Specialty Tyres Ltd (fully owned subsidiary of CEAT Tyres and part of the mega RPG Group) who provides deep insights on this tyre segment and reasons why the group has created a completely new entity to address these markets. He also discusses the strategy and role of their expanded production facilities to meet the market demands in various regions, including India. Moving along similar lines, Trident has come out with solid/semi-solid tyres and foam filling systems to make the tyres puncture-proof.

Commencing from this month, we have started presenting actual case studies of successful equipment application, in any category, contributed by the manufacturers. In this inaugural column, we present a case study by Genie, a part of Terex Group on use of their GTHTM-844 Telehandler and two Genie ZTM-45/25 booms for electro-mechanical installations at Ca Mountain Pass, a steep and torturous mountain pass in Vietnam.

Skill development is a focus area for India. Knowledge based inputs have been provided by Terex Port Solutions on training; safety by Sany and on technology by Putzmeister.

We would also recommend reading the interesting features presented by Poclain Hydraulics on their systems; Schwing Stetter on their newly launched motor grader and Wirtgen on how they are completing their product range to cover the full value chain in road construction.

Our other regular columns in this section remain as usual.