Depending on the market demand, we are ready for more investment in terms of manufacturing facility expansion and manpower. India is seen as a prospective contender for setting up a dedicated manufacturing facility for knuckle boom cranes in the future, informs Subhmoy Ghosh, Managing Director, Palfinger India. Excerpts from the interview.

What is the total market for knuckle boom cranes?
Specifically talking about the knuckle boom crane, it is a multi-functional machine. It is not only useful for lifting, loading and transportation but also for various industry specific tasks. Attachments like brick-grab makes brick, tiles, paver block handling far easier while the manbasket is useful for tasks like overhead electrical maintenance. Thus, application possibilities of knuckle boom cranes are many and varied. Its market potential is therefore vast and not limited to one industry alone. We are happy to see our repeat orders and reference sale patterns which is giving us a clear positive indication about the forthcoming demand. The Estimated market size of truck loader cranes is about 200 units per annum and Palfinger India now has got a thumping 70 per cent market share in current order bookings.

Is cost a deterrent as far as truck loader cranes are concerned or is a lack of awareness among the end- user community a problem?
You can already see Palfinger truck loader cranes functioning today in India in the brick and tiles industry, waste management sector, railway wagon maintenance, and general lifting and loading in several other industry segments. The numbers of truck loader cranes in the market will increase exponentially as its visibility in the market increases further and its application areas are explored by Indian customers. Large corporations are giving way to the modern methods of lifting, loading and transportation as the conventional unsafe methods are gradually being replaced by Palfinger technology bringing in more efficiency, productivity and safety.

What is your take on the importance of training, and related safety of workers? In the absence of stringent laws, what can be done?
Safety comes first at Palfinger. Palfinger truck loaders cranes are built with high safety standards with safety features specially designed keeping workers' safety in mind. It has in-built safety features like:

No risk of crane dropping: Load-holding valves on each cylinder prevents the crane from dropping even in case of a breakage of hydraulic hoses.

Safety package option: Hydraulic overload protection gives additional safety when crane is moved in overload situation.

Laser profiling and special welding creates an immensely strong crane base frame increasing durability and safety.

Lever control on each side of the crane: You are always able to see the load when lifting ensuring higher safety.

Radio remote control package: You are able to position a load even when the hook could not be seen from the ground lever controls and again ensuring safety.

Top seat control package: Full overview on the whole environment of the truck.

Moreover, equal importance is given to the training of operators.

How do you look at rentals as a means to increase awareness for these products?
With increasing awareness about the versatility of Palfinger cranes, crane rental companies are finding safe loading, transportation and unloading an attractive proposition for their business profitability and they can use the truck loader crane in multiple ways, as and when required. Our customers in rental segment observe better rates for our cranes over the traditional cranes and experience a higher yield per month.

What is the investment made by Palfinger either for capacity addition or for a new manufacturing facility?
As of now, we will be focusing more on optimisation of existing indigenised products and its manufacturing process to effectively utilise the available capacity. Depending on the market demand, we are ready for more investment in terms of manufacturing facility expansion and manpower. India is seen as a prospective contender for setting up a dedicated manufacturing facility for knuckle boom cranes in the future.

What are the new products launched during 2010-11?
The year 2010-11 was phenomenal for Palfinger India as it successfully launched its first indigenously made stiff boom crane, specially made for Indian and Asian markets. After receiving a huge response from Indian customers for Palfinger's indigenously made stiff boom crane PS 8000 4.0, Palfinger is now launching a new model of stiff boom crane - PS 13000 6.3 at Excon 2011. It is a 6.3 tonne-metre telescopic truck-mounted stiff boom crane with even better capability and greater utility making lifting, loading and unloading an easier task. Palfinger India demonstrates through its truck loader stiff boom crane its `power of simplicity.'

Tell us about the initiatives taken to widen the sales and service network.
Palfinger India strongly believes in moving closer to its customers. It has fortified its presence, not only in India but also in its neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. It has an ever-increasing sales and service network with a well-qualified and experienced workforce deployed across all strategic locations in India. It has also built a strong independent dealership network through 20 strong enterprises. Regarding training, Palfinger India conducts training work?shops for operators as at Palfinger, we believe that safety comes first.