Atlas Copco Focuses on Developing & Localizing Hi-tech Innovative Products

"At Atlas Copco, we always believe in continuous process of innovation and product development. Developing new technology products and promoting our existing high quality ones by focusing on our global product portfolio enable us to offer world-class products for building world-class roads in India. Further, we have been working towards product localization with local features added in, and hope to manufacture most of our road construction equipment locally at our fully equipped Nasik plant in India," says Mr. Nitin Lall, General Manager, Atlas Copco (India) Ltd., Construction Technique in an interview with S.A.Faridi.

Would you like to pin point equipment with huge future biz potential in India?
Dynapac Compact Planers from Atlas Copco will set new benchmarks in cold planing in India.

The Dynapac PL350, PL500 and PL1000 are compact cold planers which have milling widths from 0.35 to 1m. Its well-proven design is based on accumulated experience and input from field operators and owners. Available as 4 wheeled units, these models are highly user friendly and offer high performance, excellent manoeuvrability, and an impressive level of reliability. Dynapac compact planers effortlessly achieve a depth of 200 to 300 mm.

In the near future as more and more state authorities are approving and mandating use of Recycled Asphalt (RAP) and with the scarcity of aggregate in some areas....Milling would be the future!

In the wake of new strong government and its initial initiatives, how do you see the market recovery for construction equipment in coming years?
Since the last couple of years, the demand in the road construction equipment segment for NHAI projects is experiencing stagnancy. This has been mainly due to NHAI projects getting embroiled in land clearance issues. State & rural roads have been showing marginal growth over last yearfor road construction equipment.

Recent surveys on road development in India, indicate that in developing markets like India, road infrastructure will be an extremely important component to support the growth opportunities.

With the new government in place, we now do believe that in the next 5 years and beyond, there will be a realization of the huge untapped potential in all product segments of the road equipment in India. Besides, compactors, pavers and tandem rollers, equipment such as planers, feeders, etc. will also get an opportunity to deliver higher quality roads in India.

The companies, who have long-term perspective, take slowdown as an opportunity to fine-tune their operations, do up-gradation and also come up with new product line. How does Atlas Copco put the perspective of challenges as long-term opportunityand what initiatives haveit taken in this tough economic time to stay ahead?

In Atlas Copco, we always believe in a continuous process of Innovation and Product Development. Even in tough economic times, we believe in upgrading our products to meet the market needs. By promoting our existing high quality products from our global product portfolio we are able to offer world class products at all times and be a part of making world class roads in India.

Further, we have been working towards product localization, with local features added in, and we hope to manufacture most of our road construction equipment locally at our fully equipped Nasik plant in India.

How do you see the equipment demand coming from the emerging rural roads and irrigation sector and initiatives your company is taking to tap this market?
Across India, there is a need for high quality roads and areas such as the North-eastern landscape have a need for better connectivity. Looking at current activities & projects, rural areas are a major focus area with plans in place by authorities and quick turnaround time for awarding projects. Today, demand for equipment is also increasing gradually from this part of India.

In the next 5 years and beyond, we do believe there will be a realization of the huge untapped potential in all product segments of the road equipment in these market segments. Backed by the strong experience of being world leaders in road construction equipment, we are ready to tap into the opportunity to deliver higher quality roads in India, with not just compactors, pavers and tandem rollers but will also set new benchmarks with innovative technology equipment such as compact planers, feeders, etc.

We as a customer focused company would aim to live up to the expectations of customers of all segments and will be prepared to cater to their needs. Our focus will be to increase our market presence with a strong service backup and a commitment to new product development and innovation.

What are the market responses to your recently introduced innovative series of pavers, portable generators, and Dynapac compact Planers?

All Dynapac machines are designed for toughest conditions and have several unique features. To name a few, lowest operating cost for the customers, most advanced compaction technique like high frequency for Asphalt rage rollers to achieve the end result in minimum passes, unique fully floating Screed for the Pavers to achieve excellent surface finish, Compact planers with milling widths from 0.35 to 1m have excellent manoeuvrability and effortlessly achieve a depth of 200 to 300 mm. Infact the small cutting radius of only 230 mm, unequalled in this class, makes the high performance Dynapac PL1000 compact planers very flexible for milling even around manholes and so on...

We offer Soil compactors from 4 Ton class to 27T class, Asphalt Compactors from 1 ton to 18ton, Pneumatic Tyred rollers 6 ton to 27 ton, Paver finishers 1.8 mts to 14 mts Paving width, Milling machines from 0.35mm to 2 mts cutting width, delivered from our state of the art manufacturing facilities in Sweden, Germany, Brazil, China and India.

Several models of our Dynapac range of road construction equipment are successfully deployed at various work sites across India and have built many satisfied experiences for its customers.

What initiatives are you taking to strengthen your after sales service, parts availability and after market, as these factors play big role while selecting equipment?
We strongly believe in strategically timed innovations based on genuine market needs/demand. Besides this our aftermarket support is also a key differentiator which offers us a competitive advantage. High quality parts & spares, extended warranty programs, toll free one number to register customer queries/complaints, regular equipment health checkup service camps as well as a highly skilled service team, enable Atlas Copco Construction Technique to enhance its offering to the end customer. We also organize frequent training for operators, dealers & our own team members to keep on improving the skill of operating the premium equipment of Atlas Copco Dynapac road construction equipment.