Mr. Mitul A. Patel, Managing Director, Apollo Inffratech Group

Apollo Inffratech Group: “We had a tremendous growth in the sales of our higher-end batching plant, pipe making machines and self-loading mixers this year, and we expect to continue the same in the next financial year,” says Mr. Mitul A. Patel, Managing Director, Apollo Inffratech Group, adding, “For the first time, we are displaying HEM slipform paver and QGM small block making machine at bauma Conexpo India, where our prime focus will be to enhance brand awareness and build a good relationship with customers.”

How do you see the current market scenario for concrete equipment in India? What are your growth expectations for 2017 onwards for CE in general and Apollo Infra in particular?

The overall slowdown in the world economy had taken a toll on infrastructure investments in India in the last few years. To address this issue, the government has set ambitious targets as part of the ongoing 12th FYP (FY12–FY17), proposing Rs. 56 lakh crores of investment in infrastructure. These targets are heavily weighted towards the second half of the Plan, with 52% of total investment expected in the last two years of the Plan period. In addition, the Union Budget of the new government has earmarked Rs. 2 lakh crores for investment in infrastructure. The investments are allocated for a broad range of projects including roads, airports, rural, and urban infrastructure.

The construction equipment market has improved tremendously in the last 8-9 months due to huge road and other infrastructure projects. We can look forward to more growth in 2017, with further pick-up in 2018 and 2019.

In the current financial year 2016-17, being a market leader, Apollo Inffratech Group witnessed tremendous growth in higher-end batching plant sales, pipe making machines and self-loading mixers as well as other products. The same will be continuing in the next financial year.

Seeing the government’s greater thrust in constructing concrete roads, how is Apollo preparing to become a total solution provider for concrete roads and irrigation projects?

In this financial year, the Government’s focus diverted from traditional bitumen road to durable, low maintenance concrete road projects. For making concrete roads continuously, huge amounts of ready mix concrete is required. This is possible with the help of higher capacity batching plants. In accordance with the demand, Apollo Infrattech started manufacturing batching plant upto 160cu.m/hr capacity range. Slipform and Fixed form paver are widely used in concrete road and irrigation projects. Apollo manufactures fixed form pavers from 3.75m to 7.5m width for concrete roads and irrigation projects. Recently, Apollo became an exclusive business partner of HEM, USA, which offers a complete range of slipform Concrete Paving Equipment. This partnership will allow Apollo to cater to the needs of our contractors working on various projects, including national and state highways, airfield runways and canals.

HEM also offers grade trimmers, placers, placer-spreaders, form riding pavers, texture curing machines, and automated concrete sawing machines which can be used in road construction.

Since inception, you have a dual approach of introducing indigenously developed plants and global technologies with tie-ups with multinationals; what is the strategy behind having a varied product range and how is it helping to build the Apollo brand?

In alignment with Make in India strategy, Apollo tie-ups with multinationals for bringing advance technology into India, we strictly follow all manufacturing norms and processes of our JV partners. Customers are highly satisfied with the performance of our products and in most of the cases, we are getting repeat orders. Due to our vast product range, customers can get complete solutions from a single source and this will help build our brand.

What is your present product range and do you plan to add any new product in the near future?

Our wide range of products include:

Concrete Batching Plants (20cu.m/hr to 160cu.m/hr Capacity)
Transit Mixers
Fixed Form Concrete Paver (Availa- ble width 3.75m to 7.5m)
Slipform Concrete Paver (Available width 2.75m to 13.5m)
Concrete Pipe Making Machines
Self Loading Mixers (2.5 cu.m/batch and 4 cu.m/batch capacity)
Block Making Machine
Cage Welding Machine

We are not planning to add any new product in the near future. Our focus is on penetrating the market further for our existing products.

How does Apollo look into the backhand and telematic/remote monitoring support to its customers?

We have developed our own ERP system which maintains each and every detail of customers and machines. We have a detailed parts manual and product manual for easy usage.

Customers can order parts as per requirement through the parts manual without any hassle. We have a customer care number for 24x7 support.

Having tie-ups with many multinationals, what does Apollo think about knowledge sharing and training for the Indian customers to ease their jobsite challenges?

Skilled operators are required for operating highly advanced technology products. Apollo periodically arranges training for their customers as well as for their staff. Onsite and hands-on training is provided to operators. In our product manual, pictorial presentations enable easy understanding.

Is the CE sector fully geared to usher in the GST regime from April 2017? How do you see the impact of it on the industry?

As the new government has proposed implementation of GST, the manufacturing sector will be seen giving a push to the economy. GST will reduce the cost of procurement/ production of goods. It will break the cascade of taxes at all stages and there will be no retention/disallowance of stock transfer of goods. It will make India an even and seamless market, the current area-based exemptions and hikes will become irrelevant.

The most important for our industry is that GST will make a hassle-free transportation system. Supply of goods from one part of the country to another will no more be a difficult task.

What about company’s focus at baumaConExpo India 2016?

Apollo’s prime objective in participating at bauma Conexpo India 2016, is to enhance brand awareness as well as for building a good relationship with customers. The event is one of the leading platforms for tapping into this important growing market.

We will be displaying higher capacity concrete batching plant, self-loading transit mixers, and fixed form paver. We will be introducing HEM slipform paver and QGM small block making machine making for the first time at the show.