In view of the huge infra deficit in Africa and Middle East countries, their are big business avenues for Construction Equipment Companies of India, said experts at a recently organized event by Universal Construction Equipment Machinery to mark the 10th foundation year of its Shivre Plant in Pune. Experts drawn from various walks of life across infra and construction segments, included Bahari BR Malhotra, MD Weikfield Group of companies, Suhas Merchant, Director Kalptaru, S.A.Faridi, Group Managing Editor, NBM Media, Rohidas More, President, Universal Group, and Ranjit More, Vice President Universal, all of whom in their presentation gave valuable insights into the CE industry.
Speaking at the function, Bahari BR Malhotra, praised the Universal Group for being one of the pioneer companies to enter these markets by supplying quality and economical products, and said that Africa and Middle East countries are the next growing markets and are brimming with business opportunities for construction equipment companies.
In his introductory deliberation, Ranjit More gave a detailed review of the projects carried out by the company in the past one decade. He said that Universal has now transitioned and grown from a small scale manufacturing unit to a heavy industry and manufacturing behemoth. Also, with blue as the colour for its products, Universal has revolutionized the way people perceive the colour of construction equipment. The Blue colour has become synonymous with the Universal brand image. He further revealed that its target is to cross the important milestone of Rs.500 crore in the next few years. With more than 50 innovative products on offer, the company is currently an undisputed leader in batching plants and drum mixers. With 10% of its products being exported, the company is focusing on the Middle East, African and Asia Pacific regions to push exports to higher levels.
Addressing the gathering, S.A.Faridi recalled his experience while working hand in hand with Universal and reminded audience that both the companies (NBM Media & Universal) started their journey around the same time in 1995. He appreciated the confidence and vision of Mr. Ranjit More and said that Universal is the brainchild of Mr. More who, with his brilliant ideas, vision, and passion, has catapulted the company from a small fabrication unit to its current stature, manufacturing a vast range of equipment catering to the entire concrete industry. Universal is not just a solution provider for the concrete sector but has also started offering solutions for the entire spectrum of infrastructure development. Faridi called upon workers of Universal to initiate the process of sharing their innovative ideas with the management to place the company on its fast paced growth trajectory. He feels that no idea is small as even a small idea can bring a big change. In his concluding remarks, he wished Universal success in realizing the dream of Mr More to become a Rs.500 crore company very soon.
Delivering his speech, Suhas Merchant said that Universal has demonstrated how heavy machinery equipment can be manufactured in India by domestic construction machinery manufacturers. With raw material cost increasing, overall economic recession and especially in real estate business, the challenge of GST and Real Estate Regulatory Act (RERA), it is very impressive as how Universal has steered the company through tough times and achieved impressive growth.
At the glittering event, the management of Universal presented awards to employees who had performed excellently. Universal Constore won the best group company award, and Nagpur won the best regional office award. Rudrapur in Uttarakhand was adjudged the best manufacturing plant, the best associate award went to Acme Concrete Mixers. Apart from these, best individual performance awards were presented to employees by the dignitaries.
