Goldhofer's Strength – Dedicated Vehicle Development for Specific Transport Operations
With such a long presence in the Indian market, how does Goldhofer see the prospect of Indian logistics and specialized transport industry in the wake of Government's thrust on development of infrastructure (metro, refineries, wind power etc)?
Following a slack period on the market that has lasted 4-5 years, we are expecting an upturn on the Indian market in 2016. In the last few years, we have been successful in positioning ourselves on the market in Southeast Asia. Now we are ready to respond and benefit from the turnaround.
How important is the Indian market for Goldhofer and what are your expansion plan here in the country?
India is an important market as it is one of the booming regions of the world where transport volumes will continue to increase in the future. The growing demand for high-end heavy-duty vehicles is reflected in the interest shown in Goldhofer products which we will present on the Indian Trade shows like bcIndia.
What are the company's important business/application areas that garner major share and which new segment would you be looking to tap with your transportation solutions?
We receive orders from a large variety of industries, especially from power industry. That involves all kinds of transport operations for power plants and powergen companies. Whatever is being built – power plants, refineries or wind-power plants (off- or on-shore) – Goldhofer has the axle lines of choice for transporting individual components or large assemblies. This is where Goldhofer's high-end self-propelled modules really come into their own, moving ultra-heavy loads without the need for a tractor, and turning and positioning them on the construction site with millimeter precision without additional maneuvering.
»Faktor 5« delivered to Lee & Muirhead Ltd.
How do you see awareness level of Indian clients about advance technologies, operational ease, and safety? Don't you think price sensitiveness is a big hurdle in getting acceptance of such high end products thereby leading to compromise of the safety aspects?
One of Goldhofer's big strengths is dedicated vehicle development for specific transport operations. In such cases, we focus on the essential specifications without making any concessions in terms of quality and performance. By concentrating on the key features and leaving out the frills, we are able to minimize vehicle costs.
What about Goldhofer's after sales services support and training being imparted to its Indian clients?
Goldhofer is present by many customers in India. These companies place their trust in Goldhofer vehicles and also trust in Goldhofer know-how when it comes to service. More customers are making use of the very full service offering available from Goldhofer. We offer not only a 24-hour service hotline in case of emergencies, but also provide a worldwide service network, a global replacement part shipping service, vehicle maintenance training courses and workshops, and an advisory service and support for all transport operations. Goldhofer places the highest priority on added-value for customers.
"Goldhofer places highest priority on added-value for customers."
Goldhofer self-propelled modules with electronic multiway steering
With our Service Partner Isartech (www.isartechindia.com), we have a competent partner who will represent all our interests in India.
Please brief us about Goldhofer's global strength, production capacities, R&D, and number of its trailers currently on roads?
All the Goldhofer Group's high-end transport systems are manufactured in Germany, where we have a production capacity of about 1200 vehicles per year. Today, there is a total of 35,000 Goldhofer vehicles on the road worldwide. Annual production figures vary, as we offer such a wide range of vehicles – from standard trailers to aircraft tractors. In order to optimize the workflow in our production facilities and increase our output for faster deliveries, we are currently investing in the construction of a new logistics center with 6,000 sq.m. of floor space.
Goldhofer vehicles in operation
Our design engineering department analyzes the requirements on the various markets and develops targeted solutions to make life easier for the transport companies and forwarding agents. A case in point is the THP/MI series of modular trailers, which Goldhofer has developed specially for the Asian market. With the THP/MI axle lines designed to comply with national regulations, Indian companies can be sure of obtaining transport permits much more easily, thus saving a lot of office work. Since all THP/MI modules are compatible with the THP/SL modular system and all Goldhofer accessories, individual combinations and additions to the axle lines remain as simple as ever. The lightweight versions of Goldhofer's THP modular system, namely the THP/SL-S and THP/SL-L, with their extremely low deadweights and high bending moments, are also an alternative for both on-road and construction site operations.
"One of Goldhofer's big strengths is dedicated vehicle development for specific transport operations."
For transporting wind power plants and components, Goldhofer offers a series of special vehicles, including its Europa triple extender. This flatbed semitrailer, which has been a huge success in Europe, has now been modified for the Indian market and the rotor blades in use there so as to produce a vehicle that is in a class of its own with regard to the price/performance ratio.
By the end of 2015, Goldhofer delivered its first »Faktor 5« high girder bridge to India. With this system, Goldhofer customers can move payloads of up to 500 tons with a vehicle deadweight of 100 tons. This high girder bridge was the seventh in the »Faktor 5« series.
Lifting & Specialized Transport January-March 2016
