According to Macquarie, the growth momentum in the construction equipment (CE) segment has sustained in India, despite withdrawal of discounts and price increases. Also, purchases were being done primarily by first-time buyers. Most of the companies have seen marked improvement in volumes since late 2015 and the trend has sustained in 2016 to date. Another key indicator from their discussions with companies is that usage patterns of existing fleets have improved, evident from higher spare part sales.

KHL?s report on top ranking global CE majors indicates tumultuous changes - industry sales fell to US$ 109 billion at the depths of the global financial crisis, and it was also the sharpest year-on-year fall in revenues since those dark days. From China, Shantui went down seven places to No. 38; LiuGong slipped six places to No. 22; while XCMG was the only Chinese manufacturer remaining in the Top Ten. Sany dropped out of the top 10 making way for JCB to join the elite top 10. Although Caterpillar and Komatsu retained 1 and 2 positions respectively, Terex displaced Hitachi for number 3, Liebherr has climbed above Volvo and John Deere, and Doosan occupies the eighth spot.

3rd Annual Equipment India Awards and CEO FORUM on Make in India - Fuel Infra, organised at FICCI auditorium, Delhi on March 16, 2016 saw the CE industry dignitaries gather to celebrate the spirit of the construction equipment industry. A spellbound audience listened to many headwinds and tailwinds to Fuel Infra deliberated by industry veterans. Bestseller awards were conferred in 12 equipment categories. Ramesh Palagiri, Managing Director, Wirtgen India was adjudged ?The Person of the Year? by an independent jury of eminent professionals.

Warehousing, inter modal logistics and in turn Material Handling Equipment is a booming industry in India. Backed up by adequate Budget allocations and acceleration of e-commerce, it is expected to register double digit growth y-o-y over the next decade and to scale it will outpace the rest of the world, by more than four times. For the first time, EQUIPMENT INDIA presents a showcase on this vital supply chain partner of our country?s business.

Container Handling is a major constituent of material handling, involving high end, high technology, high priced and operation specific equipment used by logistics majors. The India growth story in this segment is in synch with the rest of the MHE industry. Read detailed feature inside.

In the MHE segment, use of battery-operated equipment is of the essence due to environmental reasons with special reference to foods and perishables, pharmaceuticals and others. Earlier, most large capacity and high voltage batteries required for such equipment were imported. However, encouraged by the growth prospects, many battery manufacturers are venturing into this range of products.