FUTURE UNVEILED

Excon 2023 was more than just a display of technological prowess; it was a testament to the industry’s evolution towards smarter, more efficient, and environmentally responsible construction practices.

Equipment Times looks into the showcased innovations which foreshadowed a promising future where technology drives progress and sustainability in the construction sector.

The infrastructure sector stands as a cornerstone of the Indian economy, serving as a pivotal force in propelling its overall development. With substantial attention from the Government, policies are rigorously initiated to ensure the timely establishment of top-tier infrastructure across the nation. Encompassing a broad spectrum, this sector encompasses power, bridges, dams, roads, and the development of urban infrastructure, all integral to India’s growth trajectory.

India boasts a vast 63.73 lakh km road network, the world’s second-largest. The Department of IT and Telecom has received an allocation of Rs. 84,586 crore (US$ 11.05 billion). The significance of National Highways in propelling economic and social growth cannot be overstated. Over the last 8 years, MoRTH and its implementing agencies have tirelessly worked on initiatives to expand India’s National Highway infrastructure, enabling smoother freight and passenger movement, as well as better market access.

In the Union Budget 2023-24, a momentous decision was made to increase the Ministry of Roads’ allocation by 36%, reaching Rs. 2.7 lakh crore (US$ 32.6 billion) for the fiscal year. FY23 saw the total length of National Highways in the country reach 1,45,240 km. From 91,000 km in 2008 to 1,41,000 km in 2022, the National Highways witnessed a substantial growth, with construction pace accelerating from 12 km a day to an impressive 42.03 km in FY23.

In December 2022, Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 8 National Highway projects spanning 226 km, valued at Rs. 1800 crore (US$ 217.4 million) in Igatpuri, Nashik, Maharashtra. Additionally, in October 2022, the Prime Minister launched road and ropeway projects exceeding Rs. 3,400 crores (US$ 410 million) in Mana, Uttarakhand.

A visionary plan under Bharatmala Pariyojana involves developing a network of 35 Multimodal Logistics Parks with an investment of about Rs. 46,000 crore (US$ 5.5 billion). Once operational, these parks aim to handle approximately 700 million metric tonnes of cargo. Among these, 15 prioritized Multimodal Logistics Parks will be established with a total investment of about Rs. 22,000 Crore (US$ 2.6 billion).

The government is steadfast in its ambition to create a national highway network spanning 2 lakh kms by 2025, a testament to their commitment to infrastructural development and connectivity across the nation.

Excon 2023 – Showcasing an array of cutting-edge machines…

India’s largest construction equipment exhibition was held in Bengaluru last month. In this year’s edition, the lineup boasted over 1,000 exhibitors, showcasing a comprehensive array of crane, aerial lift, and telehandler manufacturers. Notably, the spotlight shines on a heightened emphasis on eco-conscious solutions. For instance, ACE unveils an electric pick & carry crane, while multiple booths showcase power units aligned with EU Stage V standards, signifying a pivotal shift toward sustainability. The imminent rollout of CEV 5 engines across all equipment is slated for April, with rigorous annual testing scheduled to commence in 2026.

Its inception in 2000, the Excon Fair has played a leading role in the construction industry, signifying “Exhibition on Construction.” This name reflects its central focus on the construction sector. Held biennially at the Bangalore International Exhibition Center (BIEC) in India, this prestigious event showcases a wide array of topics and innovations from the construction industry.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), a pioneering organization committed to the advancement of Indian industry, was responsible for organizing Excon. The fair was characterized by a comprehensive range of products and services, from construction machinery and equipment to advanced technologies in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, alternative fuels, and sustainable construction practices. 

Excon was dedicated to key themes like efficiency, productivity, safety, and environmental protection, addressing the dynamic needs and challenges of the modern construction industry. It provided an ideal platform for presenting the latest developments in areas such as earthmoving, material transport, and concrete production. Special highlights included seminars and workshops on current topics like automation, eco-friendly building, and the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Excon 2023 showcased an array of cutting-edge machines that revolutionized the construction industry. From autonomous vehicles to AI-integrated heavy machinery, innovation permeated every aspect of the exhibition.

One standout was the emergence of autonomous construction vehicles. These machines, equipped with advanced sensors and AI algorithms, showcased their ability to operate efficiently and safely without human intervention. Whether it was excavators, bulldozers, or dump trucks, these autonomous marvels demonstrated precise navigation and workload management, promising increased productivity and reduced operational risks.

Moreover, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into heavy machinery stole the spotlight. AI-powered systems exhibited remarkable capabilities, optimizing performance based on real-time data analysis. These intelligent machines could adapt to varying terrains, adjust operations according to environmental conditions, and even predict maintenance needs, ensuring maximum uptime and cost-efficiency.

Additionally, sustainability took center stage with the introduction of eco-friendly construction equipment. Electric-powered machinery, leveraging renewable energy sources, showcased their potential to significantly reduce carbon footprints while maintaining robust performance levels. These eco-conscious innovations emphasized the industry’s commitment to environmental stewardship and a greener future.

Excon attracted numerous visitors, including contractors, government officials, representatives from construction companies, and international delegates. They all seized the opportunity to learn about the latest trends and products and establish valuable business connections. Thus, Excon served not only as a showcase for the construction industry but also as a crucial meeting point for professionals and decision-makers from various sectors.

For Bangalore and India, the fair was of special significance as it underscored the advanced technologies and impressive growth of the Indian construction industry. It illustrated India’s commitment to sustainability and technological advancement in construction.

The BIEC, the venue for Excon, was a state-of-the-art exhibition center that was easily accessible by various modes of transportation. It offered optimal conditions for an event of that magnitude and significantly contributed to the success of Excon. Overall, Excon represented an important platform that highlighted the progress and innovations of the construction industry in India and globally.

India to emerge as lead construction market globally by 2028: Nitin Gadkari

India’s construction sector, currently ranking the world’s third largest, has the potential to propel it to the top spot in the next five years, said Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, said that the construction sector would have a significant contribution to make India a carbon neutral economy. To achieve this goal, the government was embarking on major infrastructure and industrial projects that implement sustainable fuels, he said while inaugurating the 12th edition of CII EXCON 2023, South Asia’s largest construction equipment trade fair organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). “Construction and mining operations consume 400 crore litres of diesel, which is quite detrimental to the environment and the economy. By embracing alternative fuels such as ethanol, methanol, and hydrogen, the construction and mining sectors can effectively reduce emissions. Precast concrete emerges as a commendable substitute for traditional concrete,” Gadkari said.

The government advocated industry collaboration to bolster the capabilities of construction through the use of sustainable materials and alternative fuels, he said. 

Leaders speaks…

Anand Sundaresan, Managing Director, Ammann India, said, “Our aspirations are ambitious. Doubling our growth within the next 4-5 years stands as a key objective. Our approach emphasizes organic growth rather than inorganic expansion, aiming to enhance existing products and services. We hold dominant market shares in certain products, exceeding 60%, while in others, there’s ample room for growth. Efforts are concentrated on bolstering market share in these sectors.

Our recent exhibition showcased new products, strategically designed to bridge gaps within our product portfolio.”

Dimitrov Krishnan, Managing Director, Volvo Construction Equipment, said, “The current fiscal year has displayed remarkable strength. Nitin Gadkari highlighted a staggering 26% year-over-year growth in his recent speech, marking it as a fantastic achievement. Projections indicate that in 2024, this industry might witness its largest-ever volume, estimated at roughly 125,000 units, corresponding to a substantial $10 billion from an industry size perspective. While global economies are slowing down, India’s equipment sectors continue to exhibit robustness across all categories.”

V.G. Sakthikumar, CMD, Schwing Stetter India, said, “Previous years boasted remarkable growth rates—50%, 59%, and 35% year on year. Yet, our expectations for this year lean more towards a moderated growth trajectory. We anticipate facing challenges, particularly in two quarters, coinciding with the monsoon period, a time when business traditionally subsides. This year, the impact may be compounded by ongoing elections, likely affecting our business performance during that period. Nonetheless, our continuous order intake provides optimism, carrying us through the initial and final quarters—from January to December. The conclusion of the year, particularly October through December, is anticipated to be robust as things settle. The ongoing infrastructure investments in the country seem irreversible, with a substantial gap that the government is committed to closing swiftly.”

Ramesh Palagiri, MD & CEO, Wirtgen India, said, “India’s growth appears promising with a predicted steady 12% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the coming years, despite the occasional 20% spurts. Intercity infrastructure, especially roads and railways, remains a major discussion point. Urban infrastructure, notably lacking in cities like Bangalore, presents vast opportunities for development over the next two decades. While India may not surpass China’s growth rate, sustained progress is anticipated. Given the decline in the Chinese market and global geopolitical shifts like the Israel-Hamas situation, India is increasingly viewed as a reliable partner for supplying machinery and components.”

Shalabh Chaturvedi, Managing Director (Construction Equipment) India Region – Case New Holland Construction Equipment India, said, “We’re actively addressing scalability due to India’s heightened significance within CNH on a global scale. Our commitment to India has expanded notably. Previously, we operated with two legal entities—one catering to agriculture and the other to construction. Presently, we’ve grown to four legal entities. Our recent addition includes the CNH Capital, an NBFC offering retail finance to customers and supporting our dealers with funding.”

V. SenthilKumar, Managing Director, Propel Industries, said, “In the evolution of businesses, customer-centricity stands as the linchpin for sustainable growth. While brand recognition held significant weight in the past, today’s consumers are tech-savvy and well-informed. They possess a profound understanding, often rivaling that of manufacturers themselves. Their expectations are rooted in a quest for unparalleled value delivered in the most cost-effective manner. They rightfully demand access to every conceivable possibility. Thriving in this landscape demands a mission that transcends global standards, delivering not just what is expected but surpassing those anticipations. Our company is driven by an innovative mindset, poised to meet this challenge head-on.”

Moses Eddy, Director & Executive Vice President, Kobelco Construction Equipment India, said, “Excon is often seen merely as a construction and infrastructure exhibition. However, Kobelco perceives it as a platform to showcase technological innovation within these sectors. Our focus lies in aligning with the evolving industry landscape, notably in sustainability and application diversification, which form the pillars of Kobelco’s strategy. The convergence of ESG principles and versatile applications is pivotal for us. We firmly believe that emphasizing these aspects will naturally drive profitability, both in terms of revenue and bottom-line growth.”

P. L. Muthusekkar, Chief Operating Officer, Hailstone Innovations, said, “Hailstone’s mobile products, whether on wheels or tracks, boast a proven track record of reliability. Having been stationed in various environments for years, our 30-year-old company has solidified the performance of these products. When it comes to mobile equipment on wheels, meticulous attention is given to ergonomics, design finesse, platform stability, and comprehensive final element analysis. Each component undergoes rigorous testing, ensuring top-notch performance. What sets Hailstone apart is our unique testing approach. Not only do we conduct individual equipment tests under no load conditions, but we also place the same equipment onto chassis – whether it’s on tracks or wheels – and evaluate its performance. Moreover, we go beyond conventional testing methods by subjecting the machinery to actual operational conditions. Large stones are employed to simulate real crushing scenarios, producing specific outputs as per the customer’s requirements, whether it’s 40 mm, 20 mm, 12 mm, or 6 mm. Screens are customized accordingly, guaranteeing optimal plant performance.”

Prem Raj Keshyep, Managing Director, KYB-Conmat, said, “India is an inherently cost-conscious market, but our approach is to provide technologically advance, yet cost effective products to our customers. We’ve consistently prioritized operational advancements and technology upkeep, believing firmly that there’s a market in India for high-quality products. Our approach isn’t to engage in cutthroat competition, but to provide our customers with technologically advanced products. We do not want just to borrow technology from so called developed countries, but keep our focus on developing superior technology indigenously, for India and for the world.”

Rakesh Modi, Chairman, Mtandt Group, said, “Our customers are increasingly seeking eco-friendly machinery, favouring greener alternatives over those reliant on fossil fuels. That’s why we’ve developed an extensive range of oil-free equipment to meet this demand. Even our larger, heavier machinery is now available in electric versions. By transitioning to axil drives, we’ve achieved a remarkable 40% reduction in fuel consumption. These improvements reflect just a fraction of our efforts. Our machines boast high-performance capabilities, surpassing their previous benchmarks. For instance, our platform basket, which previously carried 230kg, now supports an impressive 340kg load. These enhancements signify the strides we’ve made in advancing our machinery.”

Jalaj Gupta, Business Head, Commercial Vehicles Business Unit, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “We strongly believe in three key value propositions that set us apart. Firstly, fuel efficiency stands as a cornerstone. Presently, nearly half of an operator’s expenses relate to fuel costs, and while alternative fuels are on the horizon, diesel remains indispensable for the coming years, if not a decade. Hence, our foremost commitment to customers lies in delivering best-in-class fuel efficiency. In the realm of truck and bus businesses, we’ve gone a step further by guaranteeing customers superior mileage compared to competing trucks for the same load and road conditions. If a competitor’s truck outperforms ours, we retrieve our truck—a testament to our fuel efficiency commitment, a clear differentiation from the competition. Secondly, our after-sales support is unparalleled. As a challenger brand in both the truck and bus segments, establishing a network comparable to our competitors poses an ongoing challenge.”

Subhajit Chandra, Divisional Head – Mobile Crane Division, Liebherr India, said, “In our industry, all eyes are on India, especially with the booming infrastructure growth. We anticipate a consistent 20-25% annual growth, particularly in the construction equipment sector, making it an incredibly promising period not just in the next three to four years but, I dare say, for the next decade.

The stability in our economic and political landscape plays a pivotal role in fostering such an environment. Liebherr has actively contributed to this growth story in India, playing a part in the nation’s development by supplying our top-notch cranes to a wide array of sectors, including refineries, fertilizers, chemicals, hydrocarbons, cement, infrastructure, and renewable energy sources like NPCIL. NPCIL remains one of our key clients, and considering the government’s plans to introduce reactors over the next fifteen years, we anticipate increased opportunities to provide superior crane solutions.”

Vishwesh Rai, General Manager, Fayat Road Equipment – Sales India, said, “When it comes to technology, the products previously mentioned—all Redline, Secmair, Dulevo, Dynapac, PTC and Marini—are at the forefront of technological advancement. We take pride in being a step ahead in both technological innovation and user-friendly operations, placing a strong emphasis on sustainability. Fayat Group’s overarching theme revolves around the “road to sustainability,” where our primary concern lies in environmental impact reduction, particularly targeting low carbon emissions. To sum it up, our core focus for all products within the Fayat Group now centers on technology integration, ease of operation, and minimizing maintenance costs.”

Ramarao Dasika, General Manager, PP Sales & Marketing, Bobcat India, said, “Our aftermarket strategies are the beating heart of our machinery operations. Traditionally, we procured engines from various reputable OEMs. Previously, we relied on the respective engine manufacturers to maintain their parts. However, a couple of years ago, we recognized the need for swift and efficient customer response, leading us to centralize control.

We’re currently in negotiations with our OEMs to transfer full responsibility to us from the moment of engine purchase. This means overseeing everything, from commissioning to disposal, falls under Bobcat’s domain. This shift has significantly expedited our restoration processes, enabling us to offer services within a remarkable 24-hour timeframe. Digitalization has been instrumental in this transformation.”

Prasanna Kumar, CMO, ISOTRACK Innovative Infrastructure Solutions, said, “Our primary focus lies in marketing our product within the Indian market, with a goal to establish a manufacturing plant in India. This isn’t an immediate endeavor, but rather a projected plan within the next 4 to 5 years, contingent upon achieving substantial market growth – aiming for approximately 5000 mats per year. Presently, our output stands at 2500 mats annually. Once we achieve the target of producing 5000 mats per year, we intend to explore the possibility of setting up a manufacturing facility within India itself. This aligns with the ethos of the “Make in India” initiative and will help localize production to better cater to the Indian market.”

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