Haulotte: Best practices to be followed for both safety and growth

Haulotte is expecting a positive outlook of AWP industry with the government thrust on infrastructure development and growing awareness of the use of AWP's across sectors. Mr. Souma Ray, Director, Haulotte India in an interview with Maria R, says that the growth can only be achieved once best practices should be followed in the country for safety of operators and this can only be accomplished making the use of AWP mandatory when working at heights.


What is your outlook for 2016 for Access work platform business in India?
2016 is a year in which we hope that the growth of the AWP Industry in India starts gathering pace. Although there are major impedances like the non-existence of any legislation and also any restriction to import used machines of any age and condition, yet the awareness of the use of AWP is growing across sectors which is an encouraging sign of a bright future of the AWP industry in the country. But the impetus in the growth can only be achieved once we are ready to accept the best practices followed in developed countries, where safety while working at heights is of utmost importance and it is mandatory to use AWP when working at heights.

The current government focus is mainly on infrastructure developments such as bridges, railways, metro, ports etc. How are you positioning yourself to get benefits of this opportunity?
AWP's find application across sectors where safe working at heights are a necessity. With the thrust and focus that the Central Government is putting on Infrastructure development, the overall outlook is very positive and we are sure that there would be an increase in requirement of such access equipment across the country. This is good news for the growth of this industry and a sign of better days to come. We see encouraging signs with numerous requirements coming up from this sector.

Haulotte being present in India as a full-fledged subsidiary of Haulotte Group with a team of experienced sales and product support personnel, constantly ensure that an optimum level of satisfaction is achieved and maintained of our customers. We and our partners are fully geared up to meet all challenges successfully.

What new application areas are you looking for to target?
Selection of the right variant and model of AWP based on the application is very critical. We at Haulotte strongly believe in doing the application study for our customers before recommending the right product that suits their needs.


We and our partners constantly strive to spread the awareness of the multifarious applications that an AWP has sighting the core competencies of Haulotte machines and also hold demonstrations in order to enhance customer interests and perceptions about our products.

Please tell us about the new generation equipment recently added to the Haulotte Product lineup?
Since 2014, we at Haulotte, started revamping our various variants of machines with new user-friendly technology. Under the project, we launched our new HA16 & HA20 Series Diesel Articulating Booms which underwent a complete model change. Same was done for our HT21 & HT23 Series Diesel Telescopic Booms. Further we have introduced our complete revamped series of Vertical Masts STAR6, STAR 6 PICKING, STAR 8 & STAR 10 and also the electric Scissor lift OPTIMUM 8 AC.

We have also expanded our offering in the Telehandler segment by introducing our 2 new models HTL 5210 & HTL 7210, in the 5.2T and 7.2T category.

The second hand equipment market in India is quite big. How does Haulotte look on this aspect?
It is true that the Second hand market is quite big especially for imported machines and this certainly is a serious cause of worry. The reason that I say is because there is no restriction at all in terms of the age and condition of the machine being imported. AWP's are equipment that are used for working at heights safely and productively. Importing old machines that have lived their serviceable age isn't helping in any way to allay the safety concerns of using such machines. This has to be specifically understood by the customers who rent machines. Of course due to restrictions of budget, project outlays machines shall continue to be rented but awareness needs to grow to consider only younger used machines, which are maintained well and still within their serviceable life. This shall also propel the growth of an organized AWP rental sector, as the fly by night operators who give very low rates with such old machines shall either get dissuaded or fall in line to offer younger machines in good working condition.

Haulotte used machines are regularly imported by customers either directly from various Auctions in Europe, Middle East, South Asia or from Traders and end users in such countries. We on our part also offer used machines to our rental customers based on their requirements.

What are the value-added services being offered to get wider acceptance in this competitive scenario?
Today, financing is a major issue for any purchase. We at Haulotte have started HAULOTTE FINACIAL SERVICES so that we can provide in house finance at attractive rates to our customers.


Haulotte Financial Services offers a wide range of financial solutions designed to meet the varying needs of customers business. The salient features of HFS are:

Financial Lease

With a Financial Lease, your company acquires ownership following end of lease.

Features:

• Level monthly payment
• Lessee owns equipment at end of lease term
• Deduction of full rentals for tax consideration
• Payment of equipment over time

Benefits:

• Fixed costs aid budgeting
• Borrower takes full advantage of tax benefits
• Conserves working capital

Hire Purchase

With a Hire Purchase option our customer can purchase the equipment for an amount specified at the beginning of the contract.

Features:

• Level monthly payments
• Option to purchase for a fixed price
• Payment of equipment over time

Benefits:

• Fixed cost aids budgeting
• Operational ownership
• Conserves working capital

Could you please brief us about Haulotte participation at bauma 2016? What were the products on display during the show?
BAUMA is the largest trade fair in the world. It features all sectors, all market leaders and plenty of innovations.

HAULOTTE GROUP has once again showcased its know-how, giving its customers and partners a warm welcome on its stand to exchange views, demonstrate its expertise by exhibiting a wide range of products, with its continuous goal of addressing the needs of customers and prospects.

Haulotte Group is more than simply a supplier. It is a provider of global solutions whose primary focus is effectively meeting the day-to-day needs and specific operating requirements of its customers and users.

For 2016, Haulotte exhibited a range of products which perfectly meet our customer requirements.

The New Products that were launched are our STAR 6 Vertical Mast and the new Telehandelers HTL 5210 and 7010 (5.2 & 7 Tons capacity). Besides these, we also showcased our new generation of AWP's like HT23RTJ 23m Telescopic Boom, HA20RTJ 20m Articulated Boom, the STAR 8 & STAR 10 Vertical masts, OPTIMUM 8AC 8m Electric Scissor. Specific emphasis was also given on HAULOTTE FINANCIAL SERVICES that provide Tailor made Financing Solutions to our customers worldwide.