Looking ahead, our trajectory involves cultivating even more astute production methodologies.

Subhamoy Ghosh, Business Head – India, Hidromas

Which are the products you have showcased in Excon 2023?

Our product focus primarily features our standard products, given the limited scope for innovation in this industry. However, our range encompasses everything from medium heavy commercial vehicles to super heavy commercial vehicles. Among our offerings, there are two notable introductions. Firstly, we’ve unveiled a short cover cylinder designed specifically for a niche market in India. Secondly, we’re proud to introduce our underbody telescopic cylinder, anticipating its relevance in the Indian market, particularly with the onset of side tipping requirements. These two innovations stand out amidst our otherwise conventional product lineup.

What are the technological advancements in these products?

The disparity among cylinder producers might not seem vast at first glance. However, Hidromas sets itself apart with a distinctive factor: larger cylinder diameters. In hydraulic systems, opting for a larger diameter cylinder translates to comparatively lower stress on our cylinders in contrast to competitor products. This results in an extended service life, minimizing unplanned stoppages for customers. Over the lifecycle, we can offer more than our competitors, ensuring a smoother, uninterrupted operation.

Moreover, while aggregating the entire kit, our hydraulic systems boast a simpler connection routing, reducing joint count. Fewer joints equate to a reduced likelihood of leakage, ensuring a consistently smooth operation throughout its life cycle. This forms the crux of our unique selling proposition (USP).

However, the paramount USP of Hidromas lies in the technology underpinning our cylinder production—an aspect tied closely to our trade secret. While I won’t delve into specific details, our adopted technology stands leaps ahead of our competitor companies. This becomes evident upon visiting our plant, although we refrain from publicizing it extensively to protect against replication, safeguarding our production and engineering prowess.

Unlike our competitors, we take pride in being hardcore manufacturers. Our expertise extends across the entire spectrum of a complete tipping aggregate, manufacturing everything in-house—from cylinders to pumps, valves, and tanks. This comprehensive approach to manufacturing sets us apart drastically from the competition. I trust this gives a holistic view from both the product and production aspects.

How would you describe the state of the market in the sector you are in?

The growth in India’s infrastructure and mining sectors presents a significant opportunity for everyone involved. What’s particularly encouraging is that this potential isn’t just limited to short-term gains; the outlook for the long haul, spanning at least a decade, appears highly promising. When discussing the long term, I’m envisioning a scale not merely within the immediate horizon but projecting at least ten years ahead. Despite the current scale of the market suggesting a smaller presence due to certain factors, such as tracks or indicators, the trajectory seems primed for exponential expansion within the next decade. Notably, the Indian tipper market, barring occasional setbacks like the disruptions caused by Covid or a couple of challenging years, is steadily advancing, showing a trend towards continual growth and expansion. This momentum seems poised to persist for the foreseeable future, safely extending for the next 10 to 15 years.

What is your company’s strategic priorities for the next year? Any launches or plans?

In this industry, product launches hinge on buyer demands. If a trucking company seeks specific technological advancements, we’re poised to deliver. Currently, the conversation isn’t centered around tech changes; rather, buyers are keen on fair supplier selection. This presents an opportunity for new suppliers, which is where we come in. Regarding our products, there’s no immediate change. However, our focus for the upcoming year is twofold. Firstly, a significant increase in capacity as we aim to capture untapped market share. Secondly, the digitization of our service support, a gap in India’s segment. Our goal is to ensure seamless accessibility for customers—enabling them to reach us, log complaints, and stay updated on their vehicle’s recovery cycle with just a click. Any deviation from expectations triggers alerts to Hidromas’ higher management, guiding our improvement strategies. Sometimes, immediate action isn’t possible, but enhancing infrastructure in those areas becomes a priority. We foresee digitalization empowering us with a wealth of information to devise strategies, crucial when catering to a broader consumer base. The ultimate challenge? Ensuring every customer is content, a task we’ve embraced.

India a cost centric market and you said so many features about your products right now. So, how do you manage between cost and quality of your product?

From the outset, our primary focus has centered on recognizing that costs are the pivotal entry points within our industry landscape. This awareness has steered our unwavering attention. As an organization, we pride ourselves on our streamlined structure, minimizing cumbersome overheads. Our production framework revolves around machine-centric technology rather than relying heavily on human intervention. Consequently, scaling up our production doesn’t inherently translate to amplified concerns. Looking ahead, our trajectory involves cultivating even more astute production methodologies. This strategic evolution underscores our commitment to meticulously managing overheads while upholding precision. Embracing these future-oriented technologies invariably secures standardized quality across varying volumes. Hence, our concerted efforts lie in fortifying this facet, which I perceive as our quintessential cornerstone for success.

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