KYC Machine Industry, Japan Enters into the Indian Market with BHAI

“It is almost a year time now when KYC entered into the Indian market by entering into the manufacturing collaboration with Bhai Pumpcrete. In the past, KYC had been looking for an Indian partner to suffice its growth plan for the country. As pioneer of Infrastructure industry, Bhai Pumpcrete had plans to manufacture world class plants with the latest technological innovation and at an affordable price for its Indian clients. We visited BHAI plant and found the infrastructure and personnel to be more than adequate to manufacture world class mixers. The technological tie-up gave a win-win position to both the companies,” says Mr. Wataru Yoshida, Manager of 2nd Sales Sec, Overseas Sales Dept. KYC Machine Industry, in an Interview with Maria R.

Could you please brief us on your foray into the Indian market and what prompted or inspired you to enter into this region?
Our interest in India is related to its growing demand for infrastructure and economic growth due to explosion of population.

What led you to choose Bhai Pumpcrete as your business partner in India? Please tell us about your tie-up arrangement with Bhai.
In the past, KYC had been looking for an Indian partner to suffice its growth plan for India. As pioneer of Infrastructure industry, Bhai Pumpcrete had plans to manufacture world class plants with the latest technological innovation and at an affordable price for its Indian clients. We visited BHAI plant and found the infrastructure and personnel to be more than adequate to manufacture world class mixers. The technological tie-up gave a win-win position to both the companies.

It is almost a year now since you have signed JV with Bhai. What has been the response of the Indian construction market towards KYC’s products and services so far?
The project is in its initial stage. Bhai Pumpcrete had been edifying its clients about the new BHAI KYC Twin Shaft mixer and the response has been good. The Indian Infrastructure industry was looking for plants with such high class mixer which can mix self-compacting, high-strength concrete using the least amount of power. The mixer will be launched at EXCON 2013, Bangalore. We look forward for a positive response and acceptance of the twin shaft mixer from the Indian clients as we have seen in rest of the world.

How has the fall of Rupee impacted KYC’s business prospect in India?
KYC has just entered into the Indian market. Fall of Rupee will affect the import of some parts of the concrete mixers. If such scenario persists, then KYC will further transfer knowledge to manufacture the complete mixer in India. This will help us provide our clients with world standard affordable mixer which will be our advantage. We may also revisit our strategy and think of export from India if such scenario persist for a longer period.

Would you please tell us about your Parent company KYC Machine Industry, its expertise, manufacturing facilities, and global presence?
KYC Machine Industry Co., Ltd. having business experience of over 50 years manufacturing mixers, concrete batching plants, belt conveyors, has gained reputation through branch offices all around Japan and now operates a subsidiary company in Singapore, China and Taiwan. For coming years, KYC plans to make further business development in overseas countries.

A word about your Product portfolio, R&D wings and customer aftermarket support services.
KYC considers it as a current market demand to develop plant mixers and concrete batch plants corresponding to high strength concrete/self- compacting concrete. KYC has positively progressed developing plant mixers corresponding to high strength/self-compacting concrete over 10 years ago to meet with the market demand.

How have KYC Products been performing on global business front in the last 1-2 years bracing with current strong economic headwinds and how do you view your business growing in this environment in the coming years?

KYC is known as a manufacturer who introduced twin shaft mixer for the first time in Japan. Owing to this, we have sales record of supplying twin shaft mixers over South & East Asia, Middle East long time ago. However, our sales has been in downward affected by stronger Japanese Yen and appearance of low cost mixer from China. KYC signed a License Agreement with Indian company and also started production of twin shaft mixer locally in China. KYC plans to resume sales and possibly makes it double in 3 years.

What are the innovative strategies adopted by KYC and Bhai to stave off toughening competition scenario in India?
KYC plan to introduce new technology for India make twin shaft mixers one by one to gain competition edge. Bhai Pumpcrete shall have more variety of the plants and will make effort to gain market demand in India.

Tell us about your participation at EXCON 2013 and how would it pep up the promotion of your company’s marketing objectives? Are you planning to launch any new product in this market? If so then please tell us about its technical attributes giving an edge over others and also its application areas?
This is the first participation in the show and the mixer that shall be exhibited is the first India made KYC Mixer that has proved excellent performance in Japan. Our first aim is to let Indian customer to recognize that Bhai Pumpcrete has started production & sales of KYC Twin shaft mixer in India. To be more specific, KYC has long history and experience in supplying a large number of concrete batching plants to Hydro dam projects, nuclear power plant projects and if necessary may exhibit a banner or photos of such projects.