We aim not to be just another excavator player but a definitive solution provider.

Moses Eddy
Director & Executive Vice President, Kobelco Construction Equipment India

What is your focus on Excon? You have got mining, you have infrastructure, you have construction, what exactly was your focus this year?

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.

Let’s delve deeper into the second aspect, the applications. At Excon today, our overarching theme is ‘think beyond excavation.’ This embodies our vision of transforming the conventional role of excavators from mere digging machines to multifunctional tools. We envision excavators as adaptable bases that can perform various tasks, from scooping to pile driving, thereby offering comprehensive solutions. Participation in Excon holds significance for Kobelco as it allows us to exhibit to the global audience the myriad opportunities our machinery offers. Our aim isn’t just to be perceived as equipment suppliers; we aspire to be recognized as problem solvers catering to diverse application needs. This approach necessitates extensive effort in presentation and assembly, sometimes taking up to 15 days for certain machines.

Despite the higher investment and intricate technology involved, we take pride in the trust our brand instills. Customers willingly choose Kobelco, even for machines that cost twice the amount of our standard excavator. This trust is our testament. Ultimately, we aim not to be just another excavator player but a definitive solution provider, transcending the boundaries of traditional excavation and focusing on how Kobelco enhances customer applications.

What are your products on display?

Today, our innovation extends far beyond conventional boundaries. We’ve moved past mere digging; now, we’re equipped for precision scooping. Our excavator boasts a clam shell designed to efficiently unload wagons carrying coal or minerals. But that’s just the beginning. Enter the tele dipper, a specialized apparatus delving straight into the pit’s depths to scoop materials from the very bottom. Equipped with a video camera, the operator experiences unparalleled safety, even in darkness, as the cabin seamlessly adjusts, offering a clear view of the surroundings. Our foremost priority is ensuring the operator’s complete comfort and safety within our machines.

Our innovations don’t stop at mere earth and rock. We’ve ventured further, attaching a magnet capable of collecting steel scraps, expanding our focus beyond boulders to include scrap metal. We’re committed to exploring all angles to provide comprehensive solutions. The clam shell and tele dipper represent our commitment to extending beyond conventional capabilities, ensuring deeper reach and precision.

Additionally, we’ve displayed our Vibro hammer or pile driver, ideal for stabilizing loose earth by creating a wall that drives piles while excavating on the opposite side, preventing collisions. Our array of breakers, demolishers, and crushers on display showcases these new applications, offering a glimpse into our diverse offerings.

Furthermore, we’re excited to unveil our upcoming product, SK80 the 8-ton category excavator. This innovation is set to expand our reach by an additional 10%, complementing our current reach of 80-85%. While it may seem incremental, this advancement promises significant progress toward our goal of greater reach and efficiency.

Kobelco is doing business in other countries too, what are the differences you see doing business in India or other countries?

Countries across the globe can generally be segmented into three categories with respect to their development and emission norms: developed nations, developed nations adhering to strict emission regulations, and underdeveloped countries lacking stringent emission standards. Conducting business in developed countries is relatively smoother as they have already achieved advanced standards. Similarly, engaging with developed nations following stringent emission norms presents a level playing field due to unified technological standards.

However, challenges arise when doing business in countries like India or other developing nations where emission regulations lack clarity. In these regions, a significant issue arises from the coexistence of outdated machinery alongside modern, updated equipment in the market. Such disparities create an uneven platform for competition, making it difficult to establish equitable grounds.

Overcoming these hurdles necessitates leveraging individual strengths and fostering innovation. Mere self-proclamation as an environmentally conscious player or citing higher costs for employing modern technologies without added value isn’t sufficient. Rather than solely emphasizing superiority and charging premium prices, the focus should be on elevating products to unprecedented levels by integrating new technologies.

How do you manage scalability compared to demand for your products?

We’re encountering a distinct challenge within the construction equipment sector. While economic models are on the rise in the industry, other high-end models are experiencing stagnant growth. Our scalability remains steady with similar output numbers, that’s because of the trust of our existing customers and garnering support from high-level contractors. We have currently 12500+ units of equipment and the number is gradually increasing.

To augment the value across this spectrum, we’ve initiated the acquisition of used machinery. Venturing into exporting to underdeveloped countries, particularly those where Japanese technology is renowned but affordability remains a concern, such as Bangladesh, marks a recent strategic move.

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