The newly launched self- loading concrete mixer has been totally developed by in-house R&D team and is available in 2 and 4 cu m/h capacities. The product is ideal for projects which require constant shifting of machines like canal lining, road dividers, as well as windmill and irrigation projects. The machine can self load the aggregate, batch mix, transport and discharge the concrete at specific locations. Only one operator is sufficient to operate the machine, which is totally hydraulic with all wheel steerables which enables the machine to move at sites at 30degree and also turn in very short radius approximately 3mt. The machine mixes concrete which is in transit at 2-6 rpm and discharge it at high speed of 18rpm. Universal SLM offers maximum comfort level with rotating seat, open cabin and clear visibility with adequate safety measures.

Says Ranjit More, Vice Chairman, Universal Construction Machinery and Equipment, ?Most of the self- loading mixers in the local market are a result of joint ventures but Universal is one of the first Indian companies to solely design and manufacture this machine domestically. The product is designed specifically keeping in mind the needs of the Indian consumer at a time when there is acute shortage of manpower.?

?The product has a huge potential in areas where irrigation projects are on the verge of completion and canal projects are being started. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka , Maharashtra and Gujarat have high demand for such products . This product has a market of 400 crore domestically and is increasing by 20 per cent. Universal is eyeing revenue of Rs 100 crore from this product in next three years,?say More.

More further adds, ?Upgradation of existing products will be on the agenda which will include improving the efficiency, fuel economy, energy consumption and performance, thereby increasing the overall output. Improving manufacturing processes would include improving and streamlining process layout, machine orientation, material movement and machine shop in the process improving the entire value engineering. The product development would initially concentrate on concreting equipment and passenger material lifts.?

According to More, the concreting equipment market in India is worth about Rs 2,500 crore out of which Rs 500 crore is small and mid- sized while Rs 2,000 crore is heavy equipment. Universal has a significant presence In the small and mid-sized segments, but the new products developed by the Universal R&D Centre which are expected to hit the market later this year, will enable the company to grab a ten per cent share in heavy concreting equipment in the next three years. The vertical material equipment business in India is currently Rs 1,500 crore which consists of all material handling equipment, out of which the passenger lifts business is Rs 150 crore and tower cranes is Rs 500 crore. Universal wants to augment its position in both these segments.? Universal has three plants at Pune and Satara in Maharashtra and Rudrapur in Uttaranchal and a portfolio of more than 50 products in concreting and material handling equipment.