We received a design patent for innovation in manufacturing dual sand apparatus for sand washing plants.
V. Senthilkumar Managing Director, Propel Industries How do you see the growth prospects of the concrete equipment industry given the backdrop of rising construction and infrastructure activities especially after the Covid pandemic-influenced period?
– V. Senthilkumar
Managing Director, Propel Industries
How do you see the growth prospects of the concrete equipment industry given the backdrop of rising construction and infrastructure activities especially after the Covid pandemic-influenced period?
The growth prospect for the concrete equipment industry is very promising. The government’s recent infrastructure plans ensure a bright future for the industry. The lockdowns due to COVID adversely impacted the industry but post COVID scenario for the construction field is bright.The industry-focused government policies, the massive drive for infrastructure development and large scale construction activities are creating newer avenues for the concrete equipment industry. Export markets are also opening up and this is good news.
In the Independence speech delivered, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that we have to work together for next generation infrastructure, world class manufacturing, cutting edge innovation and new age technology. The ‘Prime Minister Gati Shakti National Master Plan’ is sure to open up newer avenues. I am hopeful that the Rs. 100-lakh-crore worth infrastructure schemes of the Gati Shakti plan will act as a booster for the economy.
What are the emerging technological innovations offered by your company in your range of machines?
Our main focus has always been to help our clients optimize production. Recently, we received a design patent for innovation in manufacturing dual sand apparatus for sand washing plants. Our dedicated R&D lab works round-the-clock for the benefit of the customers. The lab houses infrastructure needed to measure and analyse specific gravity, water absorption, bulk density, bulking, slit, flakiness, elongation, abrasion and impact, among others. The properties of the rocks and minerals thus tested act as a guiding tool for customers. This kind of testing helps the customer understand the feed gradation for the input material, determine the shape and size of the aggregate, analyse the properties of the sand and check if it is as per IS: 383/ IS: 1542 standards and also, understand the strength and durability.
We have leaned more towards technology for the benefit of our customers. Our track plants operated with electric power rather than by hydraulic means is the latest trend and it has been an enthusiastic acceptance from our customers too.
With the industry witnessing introduction of new technologies and products, it is important for the operation and maintenance personnel to be well aware of the new development. What are the training imperatives undertaken by you for the operators of your equipment?
The industry is indeed witnessing new technologies at a rapid pace. We have taken many steps to ensure that our operation and service people stay abreast of the new developments. We keep everyone updated through our quarterly newsletters and we have also recently introduced an app which functions as a knowledge center. We conduct regular training sessions for our service people and also for our customers’ operators. In the COVID period we conducted online training sessions too.
What are the after-sales support initiatives adopted by you in sustaining the customer satisfaction levels?
After-market Service Support is the backbone of every business growth, to meet the current and potential customer’s need. We equally focus on customer’s needs and product development. We believe in developing procedures that provide good customer service, first by developing clear standard operating procedures (SOP) for customer service and second, by ensuring that they are consistently followed. Our customer service SOP is “Start with our customer needs and work backwards.”
Being in customer service front, it is mandatory for our entire aftermarket manager to visit the site and connect with our customers.A dedicated service help deck is in place to monitor real time issues and to sort within stipulated timeline, ensuring plant availability with on-time parts delivery (OTD) and putting return policies in place are the key factors for meeting our customer needs.
What are your plans to expand your portfolio in the concrete equipment space in terms of investment and location in the next 2-3 years?
We are looking to expand our presence overseas; we are currently operating in 15 countries. We are focusing on new markets and also strengthening existing ones. We also have many new products in the pipeline. We constantly assess customer needs and come up with innovative solutions.Four deck screen, motorized pulley, gyratory cone, incorporating automation in existing products are some of our recent innovations.
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