Escorts Pioneered the Concept of Vibratory Compactors in India

"Our brand is preferred in the market for offering the most efficient & effective compaction solution," says Mr. Rajinder Raina, General Manager-Marketing, Escorts Construction Equipment.



There has been stability in the demand of compaction equipment from the last two-three quarters. With the Government's initiative to fast track project clearances and plans to construct 30 km of road per day; do you think there will be a shift in demand of advanced compactors in the market?
It's true that compaction equipment has seen stability in demand during the past nine months or so owing to some government initiatives in the road sector. The 30km per day is expected to comprise highways & expressways, 4 lane & 6 lane projects & PMGSY. NHAI guidelines & other technical norms are met by the existing range of Compactors in the market. Escorts vibratory compactor model EC 2420 at 12 tons is the heaviest in its category. We don't see the market graduating beyond this category any soon. There might be deployment of an imported 15T OR 20T compactor at some odd site but not enough to pronounce a shift in the market.

What is the latest trend in compaction technology? How do you find the demand of intelligent compaction technology in India?
The compaction technology available in the Indian market today is contemporary & application appropriate. As the compaction norms need strict adherence, intelligent compaction is increasingly finding favor with the EPC companies as well as 'equipment fleet' hirers. Customers see a lot of value in tracking the location and monitoring the vital parameters of their compactors particularly when the usage is over long stretches of work & the project sites are not very easy to reach for the owners of the equipment. The ROI on the total package will justify itself over a period of time.

Being counted among the oldest name in manufacturing compaction equipment in India, how do you see value vs features and what would drive the market in the next two-three years and why?
Escorts is not one amongst, but the one that brought Vibratory Compactors into Indian market about three decades back. The upgraded variant of that model, EC 5250 continues to be a star product in the market place. The TVR model HD 85, EC 2420 & EC 3664 were added subsequently. We have strengthened our range with most efficient and effective compaction solution and today Escorts is one of the most preferred brand in the market.

Fuel consumption measured against output rather than per hour basis, productivity per hour basis & MTBF/reliability & uptime (after sales support) would be the differentiators from customer/user perspective. Machines that deliver the above, at the minimum owning & operating cost shall lead the market.

What is the latest innovation introduced/added in ECE compactors?
We at Escorts have incorporated some performance enhancing changes in the entire range of the vibratory compactors that will see us through to the next few years. Due importance has been given to contemporary looks too. Bolted on pad foot drum shell is the latest addition on the soil compactors. Customization has been carried out for the equipment supplied to Border Roads Organization for their deployment at some hostile surroundings like sub-zero temperature and very high altitude etc. Can say, 'watch out for this space'.