Atlas Copco Focuses on Innovation and Product Development

How does Atlas Copco expect to close 2015?
We ended 2014 on a good note through continuous product innovations and delighting customers through value additions and stronger partnerships.
With the new government in place, there is an expectation that with increased focus on infrastructure, our products will get the desired boost in 2015. However, at present, though a lot of projects are being spoken about, activity on the ground level still needs the much needed attention.
We expect 2015 to end a shade better than 2014, however we foresee a bright future for all contractors in India in the coming years.
What is your assessment on the country’s CE market? How do you see it unfolding in near future?
The current Indian government’s effort to revive the economy should bear fruit in the coming months. This revival will fuel CE manufacturers’ efforts in gaining new ground particularly in the road and railways sectors, general construction, oil, gas, and power segments. This should result in a positive impact on both the Indian infrastructure and the construction market in 2016.
In the next year and beyond, we do believe there will be a realization of the huge untapped potential in all product segments of the CE industry, especially the road construction equipment in India. 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.

In a market marked by cut-throat competition and options to go for other products, what determines the success or failure of a brand and how your brand contributes to delight customers in giving them a confidence in your product range despite their being highly priced?
In Atlas Copco, we always believe in continual process of Innovation and Product Development. Developing new technology products and promoting our existing high-quality products from the local manufacturing facility coupled with our global product portfolio enable us to offer world-class products in India.
Atlas Copco’s Construction Technique business area, which provides construction and demolition tools, portable compressors, pumps and generators, lighting towers, and compaction and paving equipment, is highly customer-focused, product driven and committed to delivering high-quality solutions at all times. Our market position has been protected through well-timed new product launches such as the EC series breaker in the demolition segment and new equipment from our Dynapac range and compressor range.
These innovations, designed to meet the market demand complemen- ted with strategic partnerships with relevant associations, enable us to be First In Mind-First In Choice for our customers.

How has Atlas Copco been able to handle present pessimism both within the company and outside and remained stable with continued focus on fine tuning its operations, business, and market strategies in the present slowdown spell?

Atlas Copco Construction Technique strongly believes in strategically-timed innovations based on genuine market needs/demand.
Even in tough economic times, we have been able to upgrade our products to meet the market needs. By promoting our existing high-quality products from local manufacturing hub and our global product portfolio, we are able to offer world-class products at all times.
Further, we have been working towards product localization, with local features added in, and have progressed in our aim to manufacture most of our construction equipment locally at our fully-equipped plants in Chakan (Pune) and Nasik in India.
What are your various initiatives to strengthen your after sales services, spare parts availability, and so on?

With a keen interest in core competency building within our after sales team, we are able to meet the market expectation of getting the right product information and service on time. Further our aftermarket support has been a key differentiator which provides us with the competitive advantage. High-quality parts & spares, extended warranty programs, one toll-free number to register customer queries/complaints, regular equipment health checkup service camps as well as a highly skilled service team, have togeher enabled Atlas Copco Construction Technique to enhance its offering to the end customer.
What are your plans for the forthcoming edition of Excon? Could you please tell us about the products (their technical features and USPs), Atlas Copco is going to launch/display at the show?

We will be showcasing some of our key products from our impressive range of portable compressors, lighting towers, rollers, hydraulic breakers to our light compaction equipment and concrete range (to name just a few of the products we will have on display).
Our focus will be on new products and recent launches, LIVE Demos, high level customer interactions, and positive energy flow at the Atlas Copco stand to heighten the customers’ Excon experience.
We are committed to Going One Step Further this year and look forward to making the customers’ presence worth their time at the Atlas Copco Stand Outdoor Stall # OD 17, Orange Lot