How do you look at the current construction equipment market in India and how the Multiquip (MQ) is positioning itself to garner greater market share in this scenario?
Current construction market has grown significantly in last 3-4 years. Demand for high quality and high productivity equipment is increasing day by day. Multiquip India business has also grown manifold. Multiquip being one of the few companies in the world that offers a large variety of light and medium sized construction equipment under one brand is now positioning itself by offering economical prices and opening more service centres.
Worldwide MQ is known for its wide range of medium size equipment — what are the main equipment, MQ is promoting in India?
Multiquip is best known worldwide for its light and medium sized equipment. In India, Multiquip is offering selected models of most of its sections. Multiquip India’s thrust is mainly on Compaction equipment, Light Towers, Vibrators and Concrete finishing and ceiling equipment such as Trowels, Pavers and Saws.
Please share with us a few technical features of Multiquip Super Screed Fixed Form Paver and the projects where the Paver is deployed.
Multiquip Fixed Form Paver is a very high productivity and quality work equipment. It is a fully hydrostatic machine and has following important features that make it more efficient and user friendly.
- For flatwork strikes off over 10,000 sq.ft per hour with exceptional F numbers
- Instant forward-and reversescreeding action
- Removable hydraulic power pack
- Heavy duty jack stands allow movement around the job site
- Requires only common fixed form for movement
- Saves on labor, fuel and laying cost
Currently, these are deployed in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh roads and Bihar, Goa, and at Pune airports.
How does Multiquip plan to have an efficient country-wide network of dealers, after sales and customer support system to meet the diverse requirements of its clients?
Multiquip has plans to open various regional sales and service centres in India. One step forward in this direction is Multiquip’s new sales and service centre in Hyderabad to cater to Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu where we have good client base. This sales and service centre has started functioning from October 2007. We intend to start a similar setup in Kolkata and New Delhi in 2008.
What enabling policy provisions and support is needed from the Government to put the construction equipment sector on fast track?
Government is already doing a lot to reduce the import cost of construction equipment. Apart from certain benefits for infrastructure projects, I am sure lot more that needs to be done is being looked into by respective responsible government authorities.
Multiquip has been participating in various national and international exhibitions showcasing its equipment prowess. What are the plans for participation in Excon 2007 mega show and the focus of its participation and new launches—in view?
Yes, Multiquip participates in major shows like WOC, Con Expo, ARA and few others in USA. Recently, we participated in Bauma 2007, in Munich which was visited by a large number of Indian construction companies’ representatives. Multiquip is participating in Excon 2007 being held in Bangalore. Multiquip is launching its new Light Tower Model that has been partly manufactured and assembled in India. This model though is a very high quality product but would be more economical to that of MQ USA models.
With the introduction of these high quality equipment — is Multiquip also training the operating staff of clients?
Yes, Multiquip provides onsite training in operation and maintenance to its client’s engineers, operators, and maintenance staff. Especially for our Ride on Trowels and Fixed Form Pavers. We provide onsite exhaustic 5-10 days training to our clients.
Multiquip in near future will tie–up with certain approved and authorized government agencies to provide training to upcoming students and would provide these agencies students training at actual job sites on equipment operation, maintenance and services. This would provide a grass root level training and would create good operating and maintenance staff availability for our clients and users.
Multiquip also offers exhaustive training to its clients at Multiquip Training Centre in Los Angles. In this case, Multiquip bears all local boarding, lodging and transport expenses during training period.
