With 55 dealers and over 410 outlets, we have the best support network
Our initiatives and activities are very focused on the heavy range of equipment viz, tracked excavators, soil and asphalt compactors and wheeled loaders. We have functional factories, focused manpower and after-sales support personnel for tracked excavators, wheeled loaders and compaction equipment, says Amit Gossain, Vice President Marketing & Business Development, JCB India. In an exclusive chat with Equipment India, Amit throws light on what makes JCB a leader in the earthmoving equipment segment. Excerpts from the interview.

Tell us about the range offered by JCB in compaction equipment and their unique features?
JCB offers the finest road compaction equipment through its Vibromax series. The VM115 caters to the soil compaction needs of the sector while the VMT 860 is a master at asphalt compaction. These ma?chines are built specially for Indian roads and are amongst the best at compaction. High productivity and relia?bility with maximum operating economy are second nature to these machines. Excellent maneu?verability and compact designs make these ideal for a wide range of areas.

The VM115 is a proven workhorse to compact high volumes of soil to a very large degree of compaction in minimum number of passes. The 11.5 tonne roller has very prominent compaction boosting para?meters like very high amplitude of 1.95 mm, best in class centrifugal force, maintenance friendly with a lifetime lubri?cated centre joint, comfortable operator station with weight adjus?table seat, and zero greasing points.

The VMT860 is a new gene?ration tandem roller with unmatched productivity and economy. The zero maintenance VMT 860 has exceptional standard features that make it cost- effective, like standard lift pump for filling tanks, hydraulic based anti-vibration pads, two rotating operator seats, tiltable steering, which makes it easy to use for the operator.

Both these machines are powered by the JCB Engine ecoMAX. These para?meters will give users an edge in achieving compaction at lowest operating costs.

Have you taken any steps to impart training to operators?
JCB trains operators directly and through tie-ups with our dealers and government bodies. Over 20, 000 young men have been trained through these JCB Operator Training Centres to efficiently and safely operate construction equipment. This also promotes employment among youth and increases productivity at construction sites with trained operators working on the machines. All training centres follow a rigorous curri?culum which includes theo?retical concepts of operating and maintaining the machines, as well as practical hands-on training.

What about the range of excavators offered by JCB?
JCB offers the widest range of construction equipment in India. Our initiatives and activities are very focused on the heavy range of equipment like tracked excavators, soil and asphalt compactors and wheeled loaders. We have focused factories, focused manpower and after sales support personnel for tracked excavators, wheeled loaders and compa?ction equipment.
Our range of tracked excavators starts from 8 tonne and goes up to 21 tonne, with three models in the 20/21 tonne segment. With strengthened critical com?po?nents and superstructure, proven relia?bility of the Japanese hydraulic compo?nents and a Plexus filtration system, these power-packed, robust machines are produ?ctive and durable in the toughest condi?tions. A thousand hours? grease inter?val on boom base ensures lower main?tenance costs, and heavy-duty structures add to the robustness. Adding to this range, JCB recently launched the 12-tonne JS120 ex?ca?vator powered by the fuel-efficient 80 hp JCB ecoMAX engine.

Excellent operator comfort and safety, ease of maintenance and service are common to all these machines. All of them are supported by world class, best in the industry parts and service network.

How do you look at the competition in today?s scenario and what make JCB stand apart?
A combination of several factors makes JCB the largest player. This image has been a result of over 30 years in India, manufacturing the best machines available in the market and making available the best dealer network with the highest reach in the most arduous terrains. Our motto: We care that?s why we are everywhere, is one we take seriously.

With state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, world-class logistics and supply chain, and best-in-class dealer network, at JCB we take pride in being best prepared for whatever the market has in store for us. Investment in training has always been a top priority for us and hence India?s largest parts and technical training centre was set up at Pune. JCB India dealers have also constantly upgraded their facilities to world-class levels and with 55 dealers and over 410 outlets we have the best support network.

Is there much empshasis on the various types of attachments that go along with excavators and backhoes?
Use of specialised attachments is on the rise in the Indian market. Attachments greatly increase the versatility of a ma?chine. Excavators are widely used in quarrying; hence the rock breaker is the most common attachment that is fitted with an excavator. Further there are va?rious sizes of buckets for different exca?vation applications. Attachments like jaw buckets and grabs (orange peel grabs, clamshell grabs) are extensively used for solid waste management applications. JCB offers a host of world-class attachments for excavators and backhoes which includes the ones mentioned above.