We are showcasing our complete delivery range at the bC Expo.
P Ramesh,CEO and MD, Wirtgen India.
The new training centre at Wirtgen India is equipped with a high-end multimedia system, two generously dimensioned training rooms, each one large enough to carry out training directly on a Wirtgen surface miner or a large V?gele asphalt paver, says P Ramesh, CEO and Managing Director, Wirtgen India. Excerpts from the interview.
How do you assess the current CE market scenario and its growth prospects?
There is a slowdown in demand for the CE market and the market is down by 20 to 30 per cent over 2011 levels. We expect the next two quarters to be better than the last two quarters and we see some sign of a slow revival. In the long term it has to be good if we are to improve our infrastructure especially roads.
Which are the major areas to be addressed on a war footing?
The tight liquidity situation with our customers is cause for concern and has to be addressed. Also, some of the existing 40 BOT contractors which have not achieved financial closure are up for sale, but there aren't many takers. The government has to address these issues and come with more EPC contracts.
What is your take on the slump in the Chinese CE market?
The Chinese CE market is down by 30 per cent; however, we have to consider that they had exponential growth for ten years. With the new government in place it should come back to growth in few years. With regard to dumping in India by Chinese manufacturers, we have to wait and see.
The cost of average equipment in India is still very low, as compared to international market prices. How long will you be able to sustain the same pricing levels?
It is a big challenge for all manufacturers including us and we are continuously working on to get the right price- to-performance ratio over the lifetime of the equipment.
What have been the sales trends for road equipment?
The demand for road equipment is down by 10 per cent for compactors and 30 per cent for pavers. We expect a revival in 2013.
What has Wirtgen's overall performance been in 2012?
The year 2012 would rate as the best year for Wirtgen India and also the Wirtgen group, even though the increase is only marginal. This was primarily due to the growth of our mineral technologies.
Brief us on Wirtgen's initiatives on skill and capacity development.
The new training centre at Wirtgen India is equipped with a high-end multimedia system, two generously dimensioned training rooms, each one large enough to carry out training directly on a Wirtgen surface miner or a large V?gele asphalt paver. The training centre is well equipped with audio visual systems and has a capacity to train 75 persons at any given time. The facility has two training rooms, one of which is big enough to house a surface miner or a big milling machine for training on the machine. A tie-up with the local training institutes will ensure continuous supply of technicians who can be trained as operators. These operators after successful training, will be transferred to our customers who will employ them as machine operators.
Any plans for more capex or product launches?
At the bC Expo India, in Mumbai, we are showcasing our complete delivery range available for the Indian market, including the new Vogele 2100 Dash 3 paver, the new Wirtgen recycler WR240, and the Kleemann crusher MC 110 Z.
"The year 2012 would rate as the best year for Wirtgen India and also the Wirtgen group, even though the increase is only marginal. This was primarily due to the growth of our mineral technologies."
The new training centre at Wirtgen India is equipped with a high-end multimedia system, two generously dimensioned training rooms, each one large enough to carry out training directly on a Wirtgen surface miner or a large V?gele asphalt paver, says P Ramesh, CEO and Managing Director, Wirtgen India. Excerpts from the interview.
How do you assess the current CE market scenario and its growth prospects?
There is a slowdown in demand for the CE market and the market is down by 20 to 30 per cent over 2011 levels. We expect the next two quarters to be better than the last two quarters and we see some sign of a slow revival. In the long term it has to be good if we are to improve our infrastructure especially roads.
Which are the major areas to be addressed on a war footing?
The tight liquidity situation with our customers is cause for concern and has to be addressed. Also, some of the existing 40 BOT contractors which have not achieved financial closure are up for sale, but there aren't many takers. The government has to address these issues and come with more EPC contracts.
What is your take on the slump in the Chinese CE market?
The Chinese CE market is down by 30 per cent; however, we have to consider that they had exponential growth for ten years. With the new government in place it should come back to growth in few years. With regard to dumping in India by Chinese manufacturers, we have to wait and see.
The cost of average equipment in India is still very low, as compared to international market prices. How long will you be able to sustain the same pricing levels?
It is a big challenge for all manufacturers including us and we are continuously working on to get the right price- to-performance ratio over the lifetime of the equipment.
What have been the sales trends for road equipment?
The demand for road equipment is down by 10 per cent for compactors and 30 per cent for pavers. We expect a revival in 2013.
What has Wirtgen's overall performance been in 2012?
The year 2012 would rate as the best year for Wirtgen India and also the Wirtgen group, even though the increase is only marginal. This was primarily due to the growth of our mineral technologies.
Brief us on Wirtgen's initiatives on skill and capacity development.
The new training centre at Wirtgen India is equipped with a high-end multimedia system, two generously dimensioned training rooms, each one large enough to carry out training directly on a Wirtgen surface miner or a large V?gele asphalt paver. The training centre is well equipped with audio visual systems and has a capacity to train 75 persons at any given time. The facility has two training rooms, one of which is big enough to house a surface miner or a big milling machine for training on the machine. A tie-up with the local training institutes will ensure continuous supply of technicians who can be trained as operators. These operators after successful training, will be transferred to our customers who will employ them as machine operators.
Any plans for more capex or product launches?
At the bC Expo India, in Mumbai, we are showcasing our complete delivery range available for the Indian market, including the new Vogele 2100 Dash 3 paver, the new Wirtgen recycler WR240, and the Kleemann crusher MC 110 Z.
"The year 2012 would rate as the best year for Wirtgen India and also the Wirtgen group, even though the increase is only marginal. This was primarily due to the growth of our mineral technologies."
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