At ACE, we have strategically expanded our portfolio to address the evolving needs of India’s ambitious road development agenda.

Sunil Talreja
Vice President – Road Construction Equipment Division, ACE

How do you view the current market for road construction equipment in India? What are the key demand drivers today?

The road construction equipment market in India is witnessing a significant upsurge, buoyed by robust public investment through initiatives like Bharatmala, PM Gati Shakti, and state-led highway expansion. There’s a clear transition from project execution to performance-centric construction, where speed, durability, and lifecycle value matter as much as deployment. The key demand drivers
today include the surge in expressway projects, rural connectivity schemes under PMGSY, and increased focus on multimodal logistics parks. Additionally, the push for smart highways, greenfield projects, and the adoption of digital project management tools have led to rising demand for intelligent, fuel-efficient, and adaptable road equipment. Contractors are increasingly looking for machines that not only meet diverse terrain requirements but also optimize costs and timelines. With sustainability and precision engineering becoming top priorities, equipment manufacturers must now integrate advanced tech, automation, and real-time diagnostics into their offerings. This is redefining the market dynamics, placing quality, adaptability, and efficiency at the forefront of customer expectations.

Please provide a brief overview of your key road construction equipment offerings (e.g., pavers, compactors, milling machines, any equipment used for road construction).

At ACE, we have strategically expanded our portfolio to address the evolving needs of India’s ambitious road development agenda. Our range of road construction equipment includes Motor Graders, Vibratory Soil Compactors & Vibratory Tandem Rollers and all equipment are designed with a focus on performance, reliability, and adaptability. This includes high-efficiency vibratory compactors ideal for both granular and cohesive soils. Our compactors feature dual amplitude and frequency settings for varied applications. We are also investing in multifunctional equipment that allows contractors to switch between applications with minimal downtime.

With operator comfort, fuel efficiency, and digital integration at the core, our machines are built to withstand India’s diverse geographies—be it the rugged terrains of the Northeast or the high-temperature zones of central India. Our goal is to provide comprehensive, future-ready solutions that empower contractors to deliver better roads, faster.

What are the latest technological advancements incorporated in your equipment to optimize performance?

We are committed to staying ahead of the curve by incorporating the latest technological advancements into our road construction equipment to enhance performance, reduce maintenance, and boost overall productivity.

One of our key innovations is the 3D/2D grading control, Intelligent Compaction system, which leverages real-time sensors to measure material stiffness and compaction levels. This technology eliminates guesswork, minimizes over-compaction, and reduces fuel consumption—ensuring optimal compaction quality with fewer passes. Our graders are equipped with electro-hydraulic controls and automated grade systems, enabling exceptional precision and uniformity in grading tasks.

We have also implemented telematics solutions across our equipment fleet, allowing contractors to remotely monitor key performance metrics such as machine health, fuel usage, utilization rates, and service schedules. This proactive monitoring improves uptime and ensures timely maintenance.

Our compactors now feature dual-drum vibratory systems, adjustable amplitude settings, and enhanced traction mechanisms, leading to improved surface quality and operational efficiency.

Moreover, ACE places a strong emphasis on operator comfort and safety. Our machines are designed with ergonomically optimized cabins, intuitive control interfaces, and enhanced visibility to ensure safer and more efficient operation.

Through these advanced technologies, ACE continues to provide high-performance, reliable, and eco-efficient equipment tailored to meet the evolving demands of India’s infrastructure development. These innovations are instrumental in enabling faster project execution, enhanced jobsite safety, and long-lasting infrastructure quality—making us a trusted partner in nation-building.

What are the key technical parameters that influence the performance of your road equipment?

Performance in road construction equipment is influenced by a combination of mechanical, operational, and environmental parameters. For ACE, key factors include compaction force, frequency, amplitude, and drum width in compactors; Equally important are power-to-weight ratio, engine torque, and hydraulic responsiveness, which determine how well a machine adapts to load variations and surface resistance.

Machine uptime and reliability—often linked to lubrication efficiency, cooling systems, and component durability—are critical for performance consistency. We also focus on the ergonomics of operator stations, ensuring optimal visibility, comfort, and digital interfaces that reduce fatigue and human error. Integration with telematics platforms further enhances performance by offering insights into fuel efficiency, idle times, and predictive maintenance needs. These parameters collectively ensure that our equipment delivers high throughput, operational efficiency, and durability even under extreme working conditions.

How are your machines designed to adapt to varied material types, soil conditions, and climatic challenges across Indian roads?

India’s diverse geography requires machines that can adapt to multiple variables—ranging from black cotton soils and gravel in rural terrains to extreme climatic variations. We address this by designing road equipment with advanced adaptability in focus. Our compactors, for instance, are built with dual vibratory modes and adjustable frequency settings to tackle both loose soils and dense subgrades. Our equipment are equipped with temperature-controlled (Cold Starting Kit).

 Our machines are tested in varying humidity, altitude, and dust conditions to validate performance robustness. Engine cooling systems are upgraded to prevent overheating in hot climates, while hydraulics are reinforced for responsiveness in cold regions. Components are sealed and treated for corrosion resistance in coastal or saline-prone enonments. Additionally, our equipment features user-configurable presets to allow operators to swiftly adapt machine behaviour based on soil type and material grade. This design versatility not only enhances project flexibility but also ensures superior road quality regardless of location or condition.

Are there any innovations in engine technology, hydraulics, or powertrain systems that contribute significantly to improved equipment output?

Absolutely. At ACE, we’re constantly evolving our engine, hydraulics, and powertrain configurations to deliver superior output, fuel efficiency, and longevity. Our latest equipment range features advanced common rail diesel engines that meet BS-V emission norms, ensuring a cleaner and more efficient combustion process. These engines offer higher torque at lower RPMs, which directly improves machine responsiveness and fuel economy. In hydraulics, we’ve adopted load-sensing systems and electro-hydraulic valves, which dynamically adjust flow and pressure to match operational demand—enhancing efficiency while reducing energy losses. On the powertrain side, our machines feature intelligent transmission systems with automatic gear shift logic, reducing operator intervention and maximizing traction on gradients. We’ve also introduced hybrid drive options in select models to optimize fuel consumption during idle and low-load operations. Together, these innovations ensure higher productivity per liter of fuel, longer service intervals, and reduced environmental impact—critical parameters for contractors focused on operational excellence and sustainability.

What are the key challenges road equipment manufacturers face in the current market scenario?

Despite the booming infrastructure investments, road equipment manufacturers face several challenges in the Indian market. Rising input costs—especially steel, rubber, and electronics—are putting pressure on margins. Adhering to evolving regulatory norms such as emission standards requires continuous R&D investments. There’s also a growing skill gap among machine operators and service technicians, limiting the full potential of high-tech equipment in the field. Logistics bottlenecks, especially for Tier-II and Tier-III cities, pose challenges in timely equipment deployment and service support.

Moreover, competition has intensified with global brands entering the Indian market, demanding constant innovation and differentiation. Another pressing issue is the unpredictable cash flow cycles in the infrastructure sector, which often delay equipment procurement or service contracts. Finally, there’s a need for greater financing support and structured leasing models to help contractors upgrade fleets affordably. We are navigating these hurdles by investing in indigenization, digital support platforms, operator training programs, and flexible customer finance solutions.

How are customer expectations evolving in terms of equipment performance and lifecycle costs?

Today’s customers demand more than just reliable machines—they expect smart, efficient, and cost-effective solutions that deliver measurable ROI. There’s a growing preference for equipment with lower total cost of ownership (TCO), which includes fuel efficiency, maintenance predictability, spare part availability, and resale value.

ACE has seen a shift in focus toward longer service intervals, telematics-enabled condition monitoring, and rapid service response times. Customers also value modularity and adaptability—machines that can be configured for multiple tasks or terrain types are in higher demand. Digital dashboards, real-time alerts, and ease of calibration have become essential expectations, especially for projects under strict performance metrics. Lifecycle cost calculations now drive purchasing decisions more than initial pricing. To meet these expectations, we offer extended warranties, maintenance packages, and AI-powered service analytics. The future of customer satisfaction lies in anticipating equipment needs, minimizing downtime, and offering integrated solutions that are as intelligent as they are robust.

What is your outlook for the road construction equipment segment over the next 2–3 years?

The road construction equipment segment in India is all set for robust growth over the next 2–3 years, driven by sustained government spending, a sharp focus on infrastructure-led economic recovery, and a strategic shift towards digital and green construction. We anticipate a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10–12%, with increased demand for advanced, environment-friendly, and multipurpose equipment. The growing integration of AI, IoT, and automation in road projects will push OEMs to innovate faster. With initiatives like PM Gati Shakti creating unified logistics networks, the demand for high-precision, productivity-driven equipment will surge. Rural road development, urban flyovers, and expressways will continue to be major drivers.

At ACE, we are scaling up investments in R&D, expanding our dealer and service network, and focusing on digitalization and sustainability. We’re also partnering with global tech firms to co-develop smarter solutions. The next few years will be defined by a transition to connected, low-emission, and performance-optimized machines—and we are fully geared to lead this transformation.