What will be the highlights of Casagrande India’s product display at bauma Conexpo India 2023?
At the upcoming bauma Conexpo 2023, we shall deliberate on the various foundation technologies that we can offer the Indian contractor community for more efficient execution of their projects. We have recently introduced our Non-Vibratory Stone Column and CFA technology in India, and we will take the opportunity to further educate the contractors and share site reports with them. Our aim is to promote these technologies in the Indian construction industry.
What are the challenges in the construction of deep foundations in India with respect to project type, size, and geology?
In India, we are still on the learning curve as far as adopting suitable foundation technologies for ground improvement. Apart from bored piles, there are many other foundation technologies which can be adopted based on detailed soil investigation.
India has a huge and diverse geological landscape, hence, consultants need to have a detailed, area-specific study, and accordingly suggest the best foundation technologies, which are also economical and ensure faster productivity. A quality equipment supplier like Casagrande SpA has the experience and the expertise to suggest various efficient foundation methodologies to contractors.
Machine performance versus cost: can OEMs strike a balance between the two to attract buyers?
This is an era of producing Smart Machines that are multi-purpose, fuel efficient, and have superior technology to perform the various foundation jobs. These machines should have a lifecycle of minimum 12 to 15 years.
India being a price sensitive market, is inadvertently giving a huge space to companies supplying machines with limited technology features and a lower life cycle, plus they have some safety issues. Contractors need to carry out a detailed evaluation of the machines, their multi-utility capabilities, durability, and potential lifespan, before making a purchase decision.
What services is the company offering customers?
Casagrande is paying special attention to operator training to help operators derive optimum productivity from our machines and ensure minimum downtime. We have a data bank of trained operators and can provide them readily to our clients for their projects. We also hold onsite special training programs for technicians and mechanics. Our trained service technicians are located in major towns of India to render prompt after-sales service to the end-users, and we have parts warehouses in Delhi and Chennai.
How can the Indian Government’s strong focus on infra development help the CE Industry become more advanced and efficient?
The Government’s aim to develop and improve the infrastructure is well planned; the initiatives are bringing positive growth in the construction equipment required for building highways, ports, railways, real estate, green energy market segments, etc. The Government now needs to focus on timely execution of the projects with pre-award land acquisitions, forest and environment clearance, and utility removals to avoid project delays.
The Government should insist that contractors use only good quality, state-of-the-art machines as they are more efficient and have adequate built-in safety features. Enforcing a strict pre-qualification criterion for awarding projects to construction companies will ensure that only experienced and competent civil contractors are able to win projects.
The Indian equipment industry will have to eventually align with the USA and European manufacturers in designing machines as per the latest carbon emission and safety protocols. The immediate step should be to introduce Euro V and Euro VI stage prime movers, along with adequate safety features.
