What will be the highlights of your product display at bauma Conexpo India 2023?
Our display will highlight our products’ superior quality and strength, which customers will be able to experience the usage and understand their advantages vis a vis against competing brands. We believe that a multi-product segment that can work in combination with batching plants can save space, manpower, cost, and bring more variety and value addition to the market.
Our advanced automation system ensures quality, costing, and better output, which results in additional savings for the customer. Unfortunately, today, almost all suppliers and contractors are focusing on project solutions and are scrapping their machines once the project has been completed. This is not a good trend as plants and machines are designed for a minimum life of 25 years and we should make better use of them by refurbishing.
How is your company gearing up to meet the higher demand forecasted in FY23-24?
The current scenario is very positive; the Government has already announced big infra projects which are likely to be expedited in view of the upcoming elections. Many major developments are visible across the country and are attracting foreign investors. Unfortunately, our mainstream media houses, instead of drawing the public’s attention to nation building initiatives are more interested in broadcasting political controversies and gimmicks of the respective party leaders. These media houses are never seen at the CE Industry’s big international events like bauma Conexpo, but I do hope that this attitude will change soon.
What needs to be done to make precast technology more attractive to developers, builders, and consultants?
Precast technology is still at a growing stage and needs to be refined. Two decades back we were talking of the construction boom in the USA and in Europe; in the last decade we were calculating the number of cranes working in Dubai and Dublin. Today, the Gulf countries continue to hold leading positions with Dubai, Qatar, and Saudi in the front run of construction technology and advancement. Yet, they are continuing in their efforts to attract developers, builders, and consultants.
My point is that not only the precast products but also the infrastructure for developing them, and trained manpower with the necessary skill tools, are important to grow the precast industry. Here, in skill development the related institutions can play a major role; universities and institutions like ICI & ICT can come forward to fund skill training initiatives and give a better and professional direction to them.
In fact, the dearth of skilled manpower in the CE Industry is a major issue globally and that’s why migration within companies is happening in a big way. Though the Government has taken some initiatives to set up more institutes and create awareness on the job opportunities that will open up for the trained youth, things are happening at a very low level. Training institutes should incorporate automation and have the latest equipment, technologies, simulators, and facilities for advanced research to help expedite their training and skilling programs.
How proactive is India’s Construction industry in developing machines with zero emissions, autonomous machines, and machines with electrification and digitalization, and in handling wastage in order to reduce carbon emissions?
As regards trends like machines with zero emissions, autonomous machines, and machines with electrification and digitalization for a more eco-friendly environment, honestly speaking, I think it will take another one or two decades to achieve this goal. However, some initiatives have been started by various governments, OEMs, and some institutions towards this.
Armix has already taken initiatives like using advanced motors, sensors, and valves in its equipment, and we are also working on developing battery-run operations, particularly in our self-loading and other mobile equipment.
The issue of wastage is a major talking point in the industry. During my recent visit to a tradeshow in Dubai, some serious investors requested my assistance in identifying the right suppliers and sources to tackle waste and undertake recycling.
I think we do have some good manufacturers in India who can undertake the job of recycling waste, but they do not have the right platform to showcase their capability. I think there are huge opportunities to be tapped in this field as new cities are coming up and old buildings and structures are being demolished to make way for them. Infrastructure debris is piling up and becoming a major concern for the Government and the society. There are very capable crushers and screen manufacturers in India who can segregate the waste and achieve the desired strength in the new casting by adding additives etc.
What are the new technologies and services offered by Armix to its customers to give their machines optimum uptime?
Armix is offering the most advanced design and technology in its high-quality machines. All our machines are equipped with an electrical, electronic, and software system for 24/7 online service support. Most of the parts are available in global markets and our timely supply to customers’ project sites help in reducing their machine downtime.
We are also working towards developing a plug-and-play system (which will become a reality soon), and are using international components in our machines. As mentioned earlier, Indian manufacturers should work in tandem with global suppliers and adapt the best technology to be at par with them.
How can the construction fraternity and the Government help create a conducive environment in which India’s construction industry can advance technologically to be at par with world standards?
The Indian construction machinery suppliers need to focus more on quality products and customer services. A laid back ‘chalega’ attitude, and cost cutting will compromise the quality and durability of a product.
We should learn from top players of Germany, Japan, and the United States as these majors are behind the leading developments in automobiles, hydraulics, electrical, electronics, and software.
Indian construction equipment manufa- cturers should undertake extensive research & development as an integral part of their product developments and innovations. Here, the Government can help to create a platform where domestic players can collaborate with their international peers, share technical know-how, market trends etc.
India also needs to build world-class infrastructure for holding international trade shows like the ones we saw in Munich and Dubai. While India is known for its IT and software, we do not have a good platform to compete with the likes of Alibaba to help us reach more and more potential buyers across the world. The Government and related bodies/associations needs to take the necessary steps to bring the Indian CE industry to international levels.
