CMPL Presents Market-Centric Innovations
Rejecting a one-size-fits-all global template, the company emphasized that it is not chasing volume-led growth but focusing on building machines that genuinely address Indian customer needs across infrastructure, construction, and material-handling applications.
Said Vijay Sharma, Managing Director, “We don’t chase massive sales numbers; rather, our focus is on providing what India and our customers truly require. In my experience, many companies bring products that are successful in Western markets directly into India and expect customers to adapt. However, Indian requirements are very different. That’s why we decided to develop solutions that genuinely meet India’s needs.”
This thinking has led CMPL to develop a rough-terrain forklift during the Covid period. With many Indian factory yards being uneven and poorly maintained, and telehandlers or pick-and-carry cranes being either unsafe, over-engineered, or prohibitively expensive, CMPL identified a clear gap. “It was a gut-driven decision—there was no formal market study—but we ensured that the product quality and engineering were flawless,” said Sharma.
Highlighting CMPL’s manufacturing rigor, he added, “Manufacturing at CMPL begins with a strong focus on robust processes and in-house capabilities. When you visit our facility, you’ll see that although we are smaller than global brands, we have not compromised on processes. Some of our testing facilities are not even available with larger competitors. For instance, we have tilt tables for stability testing, which very few companies have, along with certain advanced backward-development facilities that are rare in the industry. Automated steel cutting is carried out using multiple technologies, including a fully automated laser cutting system supported by robotic storage, feeding, extraction, and finishing — eliminating the need for secondary machining. Plasma cutting is used for thick steel fabrication of up to 35 mm.”
CMPL believes in direct customer engagement through large-scale, on-ground demonstrations, especially targeting large EPC players like L&T and other major infrastructure companies, and is already supplying its machines to some of them. A strong example of this approach can be seen in the solar sector with solar panels being handled using CMPL equipment, which has significantly improved both safety and material integrity.
To enhance versatility, CMPL has developed around 20 in-house attachments, enabling its machines to serve multiple industries. For example, during power distribution tower erections for L&T, CMPL integrated a hydraulic winch with its machine, allowing drums and cables to be safely handled using forks. These solutions have improved speed, efficiency, and safety, reflecting CMPL’s responsiveness to customer-specific requirements.
According to Sharma, CMPL’s in-house designed backhoe loader delivers the largest reach, maximum digging depth, and superior structural strength. The stabiliser legs, in particular, are among the largest in their class. Drawing from field experience, Sharma explained that during heavy digging operations, stabiliser legs are often the first components to fail, developing vibrations, cracks, and stress points—an issue CMPL has addressed by significantly increasing their size and strength.
The difference is equally evident in the boom and dipper. While CMPL uses a proven banana boom design, the emphasis is on the dimensions and the grade of materials used. The machines are engineered specifically for Indian conditions, where equipment is often overused with operators routinely pushing machines to their limits.
Operator comfort is another key differentiator. CMPL offers the largest cabin in the Indian backhoe segment, ensuring ample space and a fatigue-free working environment. From an operational standpoint, all instruments are clearly positioned in front of the operator in loader mode, while in excavator mode, the control layout shifts to a side-mounted panel aligned with international best practices—improving visibility, ease of operation, and productivity. CMPL is also the only manufacturer in the segment to eliminate unnecessary side-panel clutter and redundant instrumentation, making the machine intuitive and genuinely user-friendly.
To address loader bounce—a common issue in this category—the company has integrated a Shock Ride System (SRS) that hydraulically dampens movement. While this adds marginally to cost, Sharma emphasized that with SRS in place, the machine is significantly more stable and comfortable to operate, even on uneven terrains.
“Our aim is not to be the cheapest in the market, but to deliver true value for money by balancing performance, quality, safety, and long-term reliability,” averred Sharma, adding that “CMPL’s engineering expertise, automation-driven manufacturing, and uncompromising focus on quality for heavy-duty lifting in Indian conditions clearly reflect our customer-centric approach.”
Published on:
13 January 2026
Published in: NBM&CW JANUARY 2026
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