We see the market for construction and construction equipment to be booming at the moment due to the government impetus to infrastructure, power plants etc. This has also resulted in a corresponding boom in underground and surface heavy civil engineering projects. Connectivity to border areas for mobilisation of resources and construction of caverns for storage of crude oil and defence purpose will boost demand for our products. The diversion of rivers for lift irrigation purposes will require the construction of underground tunnels as well surface structures, which will serve as a growth driver for our company.

There is immense potential in underground metal mining, surface construction and civil engineering segments. It gels very well with our future plans where we see a lot of demand for advanced products that are high in both capacity and capability.

Challenges
The quality of excavation and supporting the excavated structure should be of paramount concern to the authorities and structural engineers and designers, both during the planning and construction stage. It will ensure that maintenance of excavated underground structures is kept to a bare minimum. To drive this, the authorities need to factor advanced equipment into the tender documents. At present, however, the low cost of excavation contracts prohibit the deployment of advanced technologies, which are imperative for the quality and timely delivery of the end-product.

A platform of opportunities
Excon is the biggest trade fair for construction equipment and construction technology in India. Trade fairs like Excon are basically touch-points for us to engage with our existing customers and potential clients in a common forum. We also get an opportunity to connect with industry partners, various equipment manufacturers, trade associations, policy regulators, as well as our competitors. Government and private industries have robust plans for the construction and civil engineering segments which will contribute to our growth in a big way.

Key focus
We would be unveiling our new company, Epiroc India, which is an independent entity formed by Atlas Copco Group. The name Epiroc is derived from the Greek word 'epi' which means 'at, close, upon' and 'roc' from the Latin word rocca, which means rock. So Epiroc means 'at rock', reflecting our focus on mining, rock excavation and natural resources, as well as proximity to customers and the strength of our partnerships. Our aim is to be 'First in Mind-First in Choice' of our stakeholders in the B2B and B2C segments.

Showcasing innovation
We will be showcasing our huge array of machines at Excon, including the Boomer L2D for the first time. We plan to launch upgraded versions of our semi-hydraulic drill models, AirROC D35SH and AirROC D40SH. These drills are an upgrade from the existing AirROC model and are a more productive and cost-effective solution. With automation and digitisation being so important these days, we will also be showcasing our new data management system, Certiq, from Epiroc. Certiq is a telematics solution that can gather, compare and communicate vital information on equipment. It's available for all our equipment.

Expectations
We are expecting more footfalls this year. In the current scenario, the market is showing signs of growth. Excon gives us an excellent opportunity for interaction and exchange of knowledge and expertise with likeminded people. And, of course, we would like our customers to see our new coordinated focus on mining and construction. Epiroc Mining India will take care of all their needs and offer comprehensive solutions in the field.