We partner with our customers to deliver world-class innovative crane solutions
Konecranes invests heavily in R&D to bring new techn?ologies and inno?vations to the market. World??wide, we service close to 400,000 equipment and have developed a rich knowledge base of crane operations and maintenance, says Saeesh Nevrekar, Vice President, Konecranes India. In an exclusive chat with Equipment India, Nevrekar talks about the company?s core strength and product basket. Excerpts from the interview.
Konecranes is relatively a new entrant in the Indian market. So far, how do you rate your success here in India?
Since we started our operations in India in February 2007, we have crossed many milestones and the company has achieved significant growth. Today, we employ more than 380 persons as compared to one employee in 2007. Our sales and service network is spread all over the country and our team of one hundred trained service engineers ensures the best service in least possible time for our customers. We are building a new factory at Jejuri, which will be the biggest crane factory in India and we are investing Rs 100 crore in this project.
Our products and brand is very well recognised by the Indian industry and just in five years we have more than 1,000 cranes installed in India. Konecranes has been successful in delivering lifting solutions to many industry segments right from general manufacturing, steel and automotive. Apart from industrial EOT cranes, we bagged order for few port cranes also, and our 43 reach stackers are in operation in India.
In 2011, Konecranes acquired WMI. How is this acquisition going to help Indian customers?
WMI is one of the oldest and most reputed crane manufacturers in India having an installation base of over 4,000 cranes. The acquisition is an important step in increasing Konecranes? footprint in the growing Indian crane market. There is a demand for cranes made as per Indian standards, as also for Konecranes? imported cranes. The WMI acquisition is a perfect fit in our product portfolio in offering both traditional and sophisticated technology to our customers.
Brief us on the solution offered by Konecranes in hazardous environment.
In developing the product range for hazardous environment, Konecranes has utilised its vast experience in explosion-proof applications and its extensive resources and innovation in crane and component technology. This has resulted in the most competitive and comprehensive range of explosion-proof cranes and components. All the components are designed and manufactured to ensure the highest safety level required for hazardous atmospheres in chemical and petrochemical plants, oil refineries, gas power plants, waste water treatment plants, paint shops and other industrial sites.
How strong is Konecranes presence in the light-lifting cranes segment?
At Konecranes, we have a separate and dedicated business line called Workstation Lifting Systems which offers products for mostly light lifting requirements. We offer jib cranes, electric chain hoists, profile track cranes and air balancers. Jib cranes come with a standard lifting capacity of upto 2Tonne and it can rotate up to 360 degree. Jib cranes can be pillar or wall mounted.
The XN chain hoist is available in hook suspension, push trolley, and motorised trolley versions, allowing it to be used for a wide range of applications such as workstation cranes, overhead cranes, jib cranes and a variety of fixed applications. We are also in the process of launching the new range of electric chain hoist for light lifting applications from capacity 60 kg to 2,500 kg very soon. The profile track systems are extensively used in automotive industry and also in limited area work cells in all industries.
The Konecranes AT B Airbalancer is a lifting device with a floating load unit, which aids picking, lifting, moving and placing items by hand. Using air pressure as the power source, the item being lifted seems practically weightless to the person lifting it. Airbalancer?s low operating and maintenance costs, together with improved productivity, make it a worthwhile investment. Airbalancer?s speed and flexibility make it the perfect alternative to hoists. It is especially beneficial for handling fragile items.
How do you assess the performance of the last two quarters?
Our performance in the last two quarters has been quite good and we have a healthy order book for the next two quarters also. The current economic slowdown both in India and globally could affect the business in the short term but in the long term, we expect to be on a high growth path.
Recently, the central government has proposed regulation of import of used equipment with age restrictions, additional tax on import, and probably the setting up of third party certifying agencies. Will this have any bearing on the industrial crane segment?
Industrial cranes are basically a very important and crucial capital investment for companies and the performance of the crane adds great value in productivity. These are the vital part of any production process and it just can?t be replaced frequently nor it is advisable to install used cranes as a single breakdown can cause a big production loss to manufacturers. The industrial crane industry will not be affected by this regulation.
How energy efficient are Konecranes systems and what are the in-built features?
Energy efficiency is the crucial parameter while selecting any crane as it increases the operating cost. Crane operation requires frequent starting and stopping and during each braking period and load lowering the generated energy is either wasted or fed back to the supply line. In regenerative network braking, which is a standard feature in the SMARTON crane, the crane?s braking energy is fed back to the power grid instead of just going to waste and raising the temperature of the facility. The regenerative multi-drive technology involved several parallel DynAReg network braking units eliminates the braking resistors used in traditional single drive technology. The greatest benefit provided by this technology is significantly reduced energy consumption. Depending on the customer process, up to as much as 30 per cent of cranes total power consumption can be saved via feeding the braking energy back to power grid for other uses.
We have recently launched a new RTG crane for container handling application equipped with the Hybrid Power Pack Technology. The Konecranes Hybrid Power Pack turns a diesel RTG into a diesel-electric hybrid RTG. Whenever possible, the crane is operated with electrical power drawn from the energy store. Like a hybrid car, it takes the energy generated during braking and converts it into electricity to recharge the energy store. This solution can reduce diesel fuel consumption dramatically. The RTG can operate much longer on every tank of diesel fuel improving the productivity.
What is your take on the increasing competition?
There is a lot of competition in a country like India with both small and big companies. Our products are positioned as reliable, safe and giving highest lifecycle value, backed up by excellent service and ready availability of spare parts. We work as a complete lifting solutions provider with our customers instead of just supplying lifting equipments, and this differentiates us from the others.
Why should a customer buy from Konecranes?
We know in real time how millions of lifting devices and machine tools perform, we use this knowledge around the clock to make our customer?s operations safer and more productive. This is our global vision statement. At Konecranes, we don?t just sell cranes but we partner with our customers to deliver world class innovative crane solutions developed by our rich experience of more than 80 years. We ensure that our cranes make the customer?s operations safer and more productive.
Konecranes invests heavily in R&D to bring new technologies and innovations to the market. Worldwide, we service close to 400,000 equipments and have developed a rich knowledge base of crane operations and maintenance. Konecranes is your most reliable and preferred lifting solutions provider.
VALUE ADDED SERVICES
Crane Reliability Survey (CRS):
As every crane and production process is unique, we have created an in-depth analysis for overhead cranes and port cranes. This crane analysis, conducted by highly trained crane specialists, has module that highlights fatigue in your crane structure, crane reliability, operational and safety issues. Konecranes Crane Reliability Survey can help you plan your future investment and needs for crane modernisation.
Crane Runway Survey (RailQ):
RailQ generates 3D and 2D graphs of the runway rails and identifies misalignment and other problems of your cranes. It contains information on the runway alignment in an accurate, safe, and efficient manner. It offers optimal recommendations for the corrective actions and cost effective solutions for your need.
Wire Rope Inspection (RopeQ):
Konecranes RopeQ wire rope inspection is a visual and non-destructive (NDT) rope inspection service examines what you cannot see on your ropes. The service provides data on the current condition of the ropes leading to increased operator safety, while helping to lower the total operating costs of lifting equipment.
TRUEVIEW? Remote Services:
TRUVIEW remote crane monitoring monitors the real usage of your crane through remote connection. With available usage data we are able to provide you with online reports with information that helps you to increase the safety of your crane usage, optimise your maintenance spending, and plan and budget your hoist?s modernization needs in advance. Through remote connection TRUVIEW collects actual usage data from your crane and prepares you a report that focuses on safety, maintenance optimisation, and hoist lifecycle assessment.
Konecranes is relatively a new entrant in the Indian market. So far, how do you rate your success here in India?
Since we started our operations in India in February 2007, we have crossed many milestones and the company has achieved significant growth. Today, we employ more than 380 persons as compared to one employee in 2007. Our sales and service network is spread all over the country and our team of one hundred trained service engineers ensures the best service in least possible time for our customers. We are building a new factory at Jejuri, which will be the biggest crane factory in India and we are investing Rs 100 crore in this project.
Our products and brand is very well recognised by the Indian industry and just in five years we have more than 1,000 cranes installed in India. Konecranes has been successful in delivering lifting solutions to many industry segments right from general manufacturing, steel and automotive. Apart from industrial EOT cranes, we bagged order for few port cranes also, and our 43 reach stackers are in operation in India.
In 2011, Konecranes acquired WMI. How is this acquisition going to help Indian customers?
WMI is one of the oldest and most reputed crane manufacturers in India having an installation base of over 4,000 cranes. The acquisition is an important step in increasing Konecranes? footprint in the growing Indian crane market. There is a demand for cranes made as per Indian standards, as also for Konecranes? imported cranes. The WMI acquisition is a perfect fit in our product portfolio in offering both traditional and sophisticated technology to our customers.
Brief us on the solution offered by Konecranes in hazardous environment.
In developing the product range for hazardous environment, Konecranes has utilised its vast experience in explosion-proof applications and its extensive resources and innovation in crane and component technology. This has resulted in the most competitive and comprehensive range of explosion-proof cranes and components. All the components are designed and manufactured to ensure the highest safety level required for hazardous atmospheres in chemical and petrochemical plants, oil refineries, gas power plants, waste water treatment plants, paint shops and other industrial sites.
How strong is Konecranes presence in the light-lifting cranes segment?
At Konecranes, we have a separate and dedicated business line called Workstation Lifting Systems which offers products for mostly light lifting requirements. We offer jib cranes, electric chain hoists, profile track cranes and air balancers. Jib cranes come with a standard lifting capacity of upto 2Tonne and it can rotate up to 360 degree. Jib cranes can be pillar or wall mounted.
The XN chain hoist is available in hook suspension, push trolley, and motorised trolley versions, allowing it to be used for a wide range of applications such as workstation cranes, overhead cranes, jib cranes and a variety of fixed applications. We are also in the process of launching the new range of electric chain hoist for light lifting applications from capacity 60 kg to 2,500 kg very soon. The profile track systems are extensively used in automotive industry and also in limited area work cells in all industries.
The Konecranes AT B Airbalancer is a lifting device with a floating load unit, which aids picking, lifting, moving and placing items by hand. Using air pressure as the power source, the item being lifted seems practically weightless to the person lifting it. Airbalancer?s low operating and maintenance costs, together with improved productivity, make it a worthwhile investment. Airbalancer?s speed and flexibility make it the perfect alternative to hoists. It is especially beneficial for handling fragile items.
How do you assess the performance of the last two quarters?
Our performance in the last two quarters has been quite good and we have a healthy order book for the next two quarters also. The current economic slowdown both in India and globally could affect the business in the short term but in the long term, we expect to be on a high growth path.
Recently, the central government has proposed regulation of import of used equipment with age restrictions, additional tax on import, and probably the setting up of third party certifying agencies. Will this have any bearing on the industrial crane segment?
Industrial cranes are basically a very important and crucial capital investment for companies and the performance of the crane adds great value in productivity. These are the vital part of any production process and it just can?t be replaced frequently nor it is advisable to install used cranes as a single breakdown can cause a big production loss to manufacturers. The industrial crane industry will not be affected by this regulation.
How energy efficient are Konecranes systems and what are the in-built features?
Energy efficiency is the crucial parameter while selecting any crane as it increases the operating cost. Crane operation requires frequent starting and stopping and during each braking period and load lowering the generated energy is either wasted or fed back to the supply line. In regenerative network braking, which is a standard feature in the SMARTON crane, the crane?s braking energy is fed back to the power grid instead of just going to waste and raising the temperature of the facility. The regenerative multi-drive technology involved several parallel DynAReg network braking units eliminates the braking resistors used in traditional single drive technology. The greatest benefit provided by this technology is significantly reduced energy consumption. Depending on the customer process, up to as much as 30 per cent of cranes total power consumption can be saved via feeding the braking energy back to power grid for other uses.
We have recently launched a new RTG crane for container handling application equipped with the Hybrid Power Pack Technology. The Konecranes Hybrid Power Pack turns a diesel RTG into a diesel-electric hybrid RTG. Whenever possible, the crane is operated with electrical power drawn from the energy store. Like a hybrid car, it takes the energy generated during braking and converts it into electricity to recharge the energy store. This solution can reduce diesel fuel consumption dramatically. The RTG can operate much longer on every tank of diesel fuel improving the productivity.
What is your take on the increasing competition?
There is a lot of competition in a country like India with both small and big companies. Our products are positioned as reliable, safe and giving highest lifecycle value, backed up by excellent service and ready availability of spare parts. We work as a complete lifting solutions provider with our customers instead of just supplying lifting equipments, and this differentiates us from the others.
Why should a customer buy from Konecranes?
We know in real time how millions of lifting devices and machine tools perform, we use this knowledge around the clock to make our customer?s operations safer and more productive. This is our global vision statement. At Konecranes, we don?t just sell cranes but we partner with our customers to deliver world class innovative crane solutions developed by our rich experience of more than 80 years. We ensure that our cranes make the customer?s operations safer and more productive.
Konecranes invests heavily in R&D to bring new technologies and innovations to the market. Worldwide, we service close to 400,000 equipments and have developed a rich knowledge base of crane operations and maintenance. Konecranes is your most reliable and preferred lifting solutions provider.
VALUE ADDED SERVICES
Crane Reliability Survey (CRS):
As every crane and production process is unique, we have created an in-depth analysis for overhead cranes and port cranes. This crane analysis, conducted by highly trained crane specialists, has module that highlights fatigue in your crane structure, crane reliability, operational and safety issues. Konecranes Crane Reliability Survey can help you plan your future investment and needs for crane modernisation.
Crane Runway Survey (RailQ):
RailQ generates 3D and 2D graphs of the runway rails and identifies misalignment and other problems of your cranes. It contains information on the runway alignment in an accurate, safe, and efficient manner. It offers optimal recommendations for the corrective actions and cost effective solutions for your need.
Wire Rope Inspection (RopeQ):
Konecranes RopeQ wire rope inspection is a visual and non-destructive (NDT) rope inspection service examines what you cannot see on your ropes. The service provides data on the current condition of the ropes leading to increased operator safety, while helping to lower the total operating costs of lifting equipment.
TRUEVIEW? Remote Services:
TRUVIEW remote crane monitoring monitors the real usage of your crane through remote connection. With available usage data we are able to provide you with online reports with information that helps you to increase the safety of your crane usage, optimise your maintenance spending, and plan and budget your hoist?s modernization needs in advance. Through remote connection TRUVIEW collects actual usage data from your crane and prepares you a report that focuses on safety, maintenance optimisation, and hoist lifecycle assessment.
A-303, Navbharat
Estates,
Zakaria Bunder Road,
Sewri (West), Mumbai - 400 015,
Maharashtra, India
+91-22-24193000
Subscriber@ASAPPinfoGlobal.com