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Bharat Road Network, Cube Highways sign deal for sale of 126-km road project in UP

BRNL along with its partners inks deal for complete transfer of ownership in an operating toll road project from Ghaziabad to Aligarh on National Highway 34

Technological upgrades are perennial part of CE industry: Sandeep Mathur of CASE

Sandeep Mathur, Brand Leader, CASE India, speaks on the current scenario of motor graders in India, and the upcoming digital technologies in motor graders.

INFRA INFRA INFRA

The growth of the infrastructure industry is expected to drive the global construction equipment market. Sounds familiar? Global experts believe that this increase can be attributed to upcoming construction projects around the globe, primarily in developing nations.

Ashoka Buildcon wins NHAI project in Punjab

Infrastructure firm Ashoka Buildcon has received a letter of award from NHAI for widening of a highway stretch in Punjab at a bid cost of Rs 1,600 crore.

Road projects under PPP

The road transport and highways ministry has lined up projects worth Rs 50,000 crore to be awarded under public-private partnership (PPP) mode in 2016-17.

Efficiency Matters

Globally, the past decade saw amazing developments in the hot- mix production technology. In India too, with the entry of global players, OEMs have geared up to offer advanced plants that can produce a variety of mixes - be it low energy / low-temperature asphalt mixes, warm / cold mixes, high percentage RAP mix, high recycling technology

Road 2 recovery

Despite the present day gloom in the market, the future for the construction equipment sector, especially for the road equipment segment in India, still holds much potential as this sector has a profound and immediate impact on the country?s economic growth. Off-Highway Research is optimistic about the growth in demand for road equipment and forecasts growth at a CAGR of 12.67 per cent over the next five years. Agith G Antony finds out more about the positive vibes in the industry.

The government should award projects only after securing key sovereign clearances.

With the government planning for a major infrastructure boom in the North-Eastern states, we foresee a lot of potential for businesses to grow and flourish. The government plans to make investments in roads, railways, air connectivity, cyber and telecom connectivity and power in this region, says Amit Gossain, Vice President - Marketing and Business Development, JCB India. Excerpts of the interview.

NHAI not in favour of PPP mode for road projects

Media reports say that the National Highways Authority of India's (NHAI) plea to the government to improve financing provisions for highways project has not worked so far. Recently, 19 high projects were bid out, but there were no takers and NHAI now believes that conditions for public-private partnership (PPP) projects are not right.

Gammon gets uderwriting of financial closure for 5 road projects

Gammon Infrastructure has secured underwriting for the financial closure of five highways projects in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Haryana, which is likely to help the developer tie up funds easily and enable faster pace of progress.

Nawa will be venturing into track- mounted plants

Our strong base is product know-how, proven technology and engineering skills supported by latest CADD capabilities. These, coupled with well-equipped heavy fabrication and manufacturing facilities and project management skills, 0 - - 22730 14 162 2011-12-01 00:00:00.000 Equipment India We will showcase our new range of products at Excon 2011 Doosan will showcase new range of light sources, large compressors, mini excavators at Excon," says HS Mohan, COO, Doosan Infracore India, in a friendly chat with Equipment India. Excerpts from the interview.

What is the preset status of the construction equipment industry, its size and growth potential?
The construction equipment industry has shown cautious growth for the current year. Industry leaders have done well. However, rupee depreciation, coupled with frequent interest rate hikes and fuel price increases, have badly affected the industry. The majority of the announced projects both in mining and road sector are getting delayed due to many cons?traints and policies. The industry is bullish on the growth during the coming months, though.
What was the performance of Doosan in the last two quarters and how do you expect to end this fiscal? Doosan, with many product lines for the construction industry, has done well this year, compared to last year. While the opportunities are big, the rupee depreciation coupled with high cost of sales is not favourable for a decent performance for the fiscal.

What is the investment made by Doosan?
Doosan is keen to be a part of the growing earthmoving and material handling industry, and so, is weighing all possible ways to increase its manufacturing presence in India for heavy line equipments, portable power and skid steers.

What are the new products that have been launched during 2010 - 2011 by Doosan?
Doosan has launched large water well compressors, which are high in productivity and are very fuel- efficient. We have also introduced the latest models of Bobcat skid steer loaders with increased operator comfort resulting in higher productivity and safety.

Doosan range excavators are fitted with our own fuel-efficient engines suiting Indian conditions and hydraulic components, which benefits the customers for a single-window after-sales support.

Doosan has also launched hydraulic and other oils which increases the life of the components and the efficiency of the equipment. Doosan oils are now available with dealers.
 
Tell us about the initiatives taken to widen the sales and service network, and training for operators.
Over the last two years, Doosan has focused on upgrading the channel partners with a high degree of hand-holding, product and service and parts training. Doosan has put 25 dealers in place, with seven regional offices spread over length and breadth of the country. h We have encouraged training of customer operators at their facilities in Bangalore. Sensing the needs, Doosan has also conducted operator trainings are the customer sites, educating the maintenance staff not only on operation but also on efficient maintenance of the machine resulting in high uptime of the equipment.

What is the potential for smaller excavators in India? How strong is Doosan in the excavator segment?
Though there is a market for smaller excavators in India, backhoe loaders are very popular in this segment. Doosan will be showcasing the small Bobcat excavator during Excon to understand the segment and the market. Doosan has promoted fully imported higher capacity excavators and loaders for the mining segment. Doosan produces excavators up to 75T capacity, this will be introduced in India over a period of time.

And how strong is Doosan in the material handling segment?
World leader Bobcat has a niche role in the material handling equipment industry. With over a hundred attachments, the Bobcat skid steer loader can meet all applications and job handling requirements. Doosan will be showcasing and demonstrating Bobcat SS loaders with its many attachments during Excon.

What kind of services does Doosan render in the rentals scenario?
Currently Doosan is not looking at these services. h We have taken up some challenging services of MARC (Maintenance & Repair Contract) for some of the higher capacity machines.

Brief us on the various attachments on offer.
Apart from the Bobcat attachments, Doosan is promoting their own rock breakers covering all range of excavators. Doosan also promotes the Doosan-owned Montabert rock breakers suiting the customer's needs and choice.

How do you view the business opportunities from Excon?
Doosan will be showcasing new range of light sources, large compressors, mini excavators during Excon. We will also be officially launching the Doosan brand of oils and skid steer tyres in the replacement market , with competitive pricing.

What differentiates Doosan from the competition?
Doosan is a world leader in the construction and material handling industry. Currently, Doosan has over 5,000 machines in the Indian market which are serviced by our factory trained engineers. With Doosan components fitted on excavators (engine and hydraulic compo?nents) the customers are assured of best service at all given times. Doosan machines have done very well under all arduous applications and are gaining in popularity for its reliability and productivity.