Our motor graders are preferred by numerous prominent road contractors engaged in significant projects.

Nischal Mehrotra
Senior Vice-President (Sales & Marketing), LiuGong India

Brief an overview of the key features and advancements and specifications of motor graders manufactured by Liugong?

Currently, we produce a comprehensive range of motor graders at our facility in India, with offerings tailored to three distinct categories. Our lineup caters to the hiring segment, road contractors, and mining contractors responsible for road maintenance. The motor graders are available with power options starting at 160 HP, followed by 180 HP and 220 HP models. The 160 HP variant is the preferred choice for hiring jobs, while the 180 HP model is favored by contractors seeking optimal productivity and catering to end-users. The 220 HP motor grader is specifically designed for applications in mining areas. All our machines in the 160 HP and 180 HP categories are equipped with Ashok Leyland engines, ZF transmissions. Each machine comes equipped with AC cables for enhanced comfort. The 220 HP model designed for mining applications features a UHI engine, ensuring robust performance in challenging environments.

Are there specific key features that the latest telematics are universally integrated into across all product lines? Additionally, could you provide more insights into how telematics might be undergoing changes in various application areas?

Currently, all our machines are powered by electronic engines and are equipped with telematics. This enables you to access real-time data on your machine’s health, working hours, and productivity. With the convenience of a mobile app, you have instant access to all machine-related information at your fingertips.

In many cases, these machines are designed to operate in remote locations, such as in road construction or other isolated areas. Unfortunately, there have been instances where someone attempted to siphon off diesel fuel from our equipment. Thanks to our advanced monitoring system, if more than 5 liters of diesel is removed, we receive an instant SMS alert notifying us of the drop-in fuel levels. Since it is implausible for 5 liters of diesel to be legitimately consumed within an hour, this alert system allows us to promptly identify and address any unauthorized access or fuel theft.

You mentioned about hiring contractors in mining. Which is the application area do you get the most business from?

Currently, the 180HP grader has gained significant popularity in comparison to mining or hiring options. Liugong entered the grader market in India with the introduction of the smaller 414 grader. Additionally, our recently launched hiring grader made its debut at Excon just two months ago. Prior to this, our focus was primarily on collaborating with road contractors who utilized 180HP graders.

You spoke about the different application areas, hiring, contractors and mining areas where your products are being used. Can you share the market share in this particular segment?

In Gujarat, we hold a substantial market share in the road sector. Our motor graders are preferred by numerous prominent road contractors engaged in significant projects. Notably, in the Ganga Expressway project in Uttar Pradesh, we have a strong presence with more than 22 graders actively contributing to the construction. These graders are both hired for use and directly purchased by road contractors. Our success extends to the northern region of Gujarat, where we proudly lead in grader sales. However, we acknowledge that our performance in the southern region is currently below expectations. In contrast to our remarkable success in other areas, we recognize the need for improvement in the south. We are committed to addressing this challenge and working towards strengthening our presence and performance in the southern market.

What is the competitive advantage of your motor grader compared to your competitors?

Our greatest advantage lies in being a versatile multi-product company. For road contractors seeking equipment, we offer a comprehensive range of products, spanning from loaders to excavators tailored specifically for road projects. Our inventory includes compactors and graders, and even dozers with a power rating of 160HP for road applications. We take pride in providing a one-stop solution, ensuring that our customers find the perfect equipment for their job. This extensive product range positions us as a preferred choice among customers, as they value the convenience of relying on a single Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for all their equipment needs. Our commitment extends beyond supply; we also take care of construction and maintenance aspects, further solidifying our reputation as a trusted and comprehensive solution provider.

What is the after sales service support you provide?

Currently, we boast a comprehensive network of 29 listed dealers across India for construction equipment, and an additional four dealers specializing in material handling equipment. In any project where the machine count exceeds 8 to 10 units, our dealers commit to deploying dedicated manpower to oversee these machines on-site. As part of this strategy, we maintain a stock of parts directly at the customer’s location. This ensures a seamless supply chain, allowing us to construct machines on-site on a monthly basis in accordance with consumption rates. This proactive approach instills confidence in our customers, assuring them that essential parts are readily available, dedicated personnel are on hand, and their machines will operate without interruption.

How do you manage skilling and training for efficiency of the product?

Presently, Liugong boasts a specialized department committed to overseeing the training of operators and maintenance teams for our esteemed customers. In the previous year, we successfully trained 517 engineers and operators across a diverse range of products, including motor graders, loaders, and excavators.

What are the key challenges you face compared to your competitors?

At first, when we redirected our attention towards hiring end users, some customers faced brand perception challenges. However, as we demonstrated our capabilities through successful project integration, showcasing numerous instances where hirers had previously utilized our machines, a shift occurred. Gradually, trust in our services grew, and by the end of last year, we proudly secured the second position in grader sales.