Case Construction Commits Classic Services to Customers

Given the robust and vibrant fundamentals of the Indian economy and resolute resolve of the government to match the huge infra deficit by giving added impetus to infrastructure building covering roads & highways, power and real estate sectors, the construction equipment market in India is set to grow at a rapid pace in the next 5 to 10 years. Catering to the emerging demand scenario, Case India is gearing up fully by making adequate investments in all areas of its operations to provide best value to its customers with a comprehensive products range, says Mr. D.K.Narang, Managing Director, Case India, in an interaction with S.A.Faridi.

Driving home his viewpoint he added that CNH has always stressed and laid strong emphasis on utilizing its manufacturing strength as a competitive edge in its various areas of operations. In view of this, Case India has undertaken a major initiative to integrate its Pithampur plant with global industrial footprint by way of leveraging global expertise to push processes, product quality, reliability and providing unmatched operating efficiencies. And to achieve it's laid down targets, Case gives lot of importance to training and developmental programs and has put in place a highly committed and dedicated team of technical trainers with an exclusive center for training and development located at its Pithampur plant in Madhya Pradesh. Under its training programs, it imparts training adding to the developmental knowledge of its dealers and alongside also conducts customized and tailor-made training mechanism matching to the requirement of its customers.

Sharing his viewpoint about the business potentials, he said claiming that the growth of construction equipment industry depends largely on the pace of project execution in infra and allied sectors. The demand for the supply of equipment increases with the enhanced speed of the execution of infrastructure projects. As of now, issues including land acquisition, skyrocketing interest rates and delays in approvals have adversely impacted the pace of project execution. Apart from this, other factors including rising input costs, increase in fuel prices and depreciation of rupee have also taken their toll on the market. However, as the government has targeted a whopping $1 Trillion spend on infrastructure sector, the mid and long-term outlook for the Indian Construction equipment industry remains vibrant and bullish.

There is no doubt that the slowdown has currently pushed the equipment industry on the slippery ground for the short duration but the equipment demand is set to bounce back with a bang all due to government's repeated reiteration of providing the added impetus to the Infrastructure projects through various policy initiatives. In view of the given scenario, we need to provide extra support to the existing equipment fleet of our customers to further help them improve their fleet utilization and on this score, we will keep putting our best efforts to strengthen our network to provide best value to our customers. Moreover, the devaluation of rupee and higher interest rates of late have posed a major challenge for construction equipment industry to maintain its cost competitiveness amidst tough competition. We took up this challenge by minimizing our import content and thereby shielding ourselves to a large extent from currency fluctuations. We also undertook several cost optimization measures to keep our cost in check and also keeping a constant vigil on our working capital in order to contain the impact of higher interest rates.

Commenting on the demand of the vibratory compactor, he said that the market for the product is expected to be stagnant at about 2260 units this year. However, we are consolidating our top position in the vibratory compactors segment. Similarly, the market for Backhoe Loader is likely to witness a small drop during 2012 to close near 32,000 units. But despite this, we are confident of maintaining our second position in the backhoe loader market as well as our presence in the market is established with a clear focus on products development with high quality standard, dealer and distribution development, and customer satisfaction. In totality, equipment up time is one of the major factors which customer consider while deciding on the construction equipment purchase. Time bound and projects with stringent deadlines need reliable machines and in view of this, we have intensified our support to the machines in the field by way of well oiled established dealer network. Alongside, we are also leveraging on our global expertise ensuring continuous and unmatched improvement in the quality of products and services, he concluded.