Nischal Mehrotra, Director (Sales & Service) - LiuGong India

Nischal Mehrotra, Director (Sales & Service) - LiuGong India
At Excon, we will be launching a 60-ton rough terrain crane. We are somewhat late in entering this product segment, but we are optimistic of opportunities here. We will be promoting our full range of rough terrain cranes in India, imported from our parent company in China and marketing them through a different vertical.

In the current scenario, I am quite optimistic on the road sector mainly
To become a five trillion economy, India has to build its infrastructure; the government’s commitment to invest 1.4 trillion in the next five years on infrastructure building is a step in the same direction. No doubt, the last few months have been quite slow for the equipment sector, but we are sure that once the government pumps in money in the road sector, things will improve in a few months.

In the mining sector, there has been no major change since the last 4-5 months. In imports, there has been a slight increase in coal, but the quantity is not much. Developing the coal mines, which we have been allotted, will take time, but it will increase equipment consumption. In irrigation/canal lining, only Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are seeing some activity, but in Maharashtra and Gujarat, no new projects have been announced.

So, in the current scenario, I am quite optimistic on the road sector mainly, and we are keeping our fingers crossed for the projects to take off. Many metro projects are coming up in B-class cities, so demand is set to rise. But, it’s a matter of how much funds the Government will release. At the same time, we will also be looking at industrial development.

LiuGong 921Di

LiuGong headquarters is putting a lot of investment into R&D and in the coming years many more new products will be launched in India.
Technologically advanced machines are the demand of the future. LiuGong headquarters is putting a lot of investment into R&D, and in the coming years many more new products will be launched in India. Recently, in Beijing, we showcased our new technology of remote-controlled machine operations and we did an operator-less demo of a loader operation which was 3000 km away from Beijing, using 5G network.

We have also launched electric excavators and loaders but introducing them in India will take some more time. We believe that global, high-tech machines will come to India, sooner or later. We have a wide range of products and will keep launching them in India as per market demand. As a service-driven company, we will have our infrastructure in place before launching a new product so that we can extend the required support to our buyers.

We have designed an engine specifically for construction equipment in technical tie up with Cummins.
There is a market trend for compact, lightweight, fuel efficient machines, and in accordance with this, LiuGong , since the last three years, has been majorly focusing on bringing fuel efficiency in its machines. To make machines lightweight, our R&D team is continuously working on better metallurgy. For machines to be fuel efficient, they should be made more lightweight and they should be fitted with a better engine for giving better performance. This is the reason why we have come up with an electrical segment of machines, which we will introduce in the coming years.

Two years back, we launched our new range of excavators and loaders which were fitted with our own engines. We have a tie-up with Cummins and together we designed an engine specifically for construction equipment. If you see, the engines being used in construction equipment are, more or less, the same as those being used in commercial vehicles. In commercial vehicles, for application work, you put the vehicle in the fourth or fifth gear and there is no load on the engine. But in construction equipment, the engines work on 80% load always, so, we need different engines. Our Quantum engines which we have developed along with Cummins are being used for the last three years in India because of which we are getting significant fuel efficiency, especially for our 5-ton wheel loaders as well as our 20 and 22-ton excavators.

LiuGong 856H

Our software MyLiuGong tracks 15 operational features of our machines
Nowadays, almost all OEMs are incorporating software in their machines. We are using a software called MyLiuGong which captures all the data of the machine’s operations, fuel efficiency, periodic maintenance, monthly and weekly analysis, geofencing, idle and production time etc, which the machine owner and operator can capture any time on his mobile or computer. In fact, there are 15 operational features that they can track through MyLiuGong, which we have been using for the last three years.

As far as more advanced features like performance analysis is concerned, we can provide it to the customers as we did for our premium clients who opt to have it. This is a costly software and all customers would not be ready to pay for it. For example, for rental companies, especially, it is more important that the machine is working, how many hours it is working in a day, how much fuel it is consuming in a day, and the focus is not so much on its productivity.

We plan to start export of compactors and excavators from India.
We have started exporting to SAARC countries, namely, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, and have entered Thailand with our compactors, which we will also be supplying to Malaysia. Our compactors have been well accepted in all these markets as the BS 3 norms have not been implemented yet.

Getting loaders from China is cheaper than getting them from Indian manufacturers but as regards to backhoe loaders, excavators and compactors, India is the cheapest market in the world. So, we plan to start export of excavators and compactors from India to the neighboring countries.

LiuGong is ready with machines that comply with BS 1V norms.
BS 1V norms will be effective from October 2020 but we are already prepared with machines that comply with them. Now, we have to see how customers will respond to them. They will be fitted with electronic engines from China and also from India.

We have seeded our machines in every kind of application.
Right now, our only mission is seeding the machine in each and every pocket across the country. Our 8-ton to 50-ton excavators are working successfully since their launch. In fact, every class of excavators with long arm and short arm, for all kinds of applications from crushing, mining, and normal earthwork to construction etc, is working in India. You could say that we have seeded our machines in every kind of application.

There is demand in the market for mini 3-ton and 5 ton excavators, which we do not have in our portfolio right now. What we have is a Euro IV emission model which is much more costly. LiuGong China is planning to come up with a more cost-effective product, hopefully by next year. The market for the 7-ton class of excavators will also increase and we are gearing up for it. With BS 1V norms, the cost of wheel loaders will also increase.

We are ready to provide financing, leasing, refurbishment, and buyback options to our customers.

If B-class contractors are ready to give us some kind of bank guarantee, we are ready to give them flexible and a longer period of credit of six months or so. In rural areas where we are trying to promote our small loaders and excavators, we have tied up with a few corporative banks at the local level.

Customers are looking at buyback options which we are providing through our dealers.
Dealers will buy back the machines from the customers and we will refurbish them and sell them again in the local market. The fact is that customers are already financially stretched and do not want to add new machines to their fleet.
NBM&CW December 2019
Trimble: Revolutionizing Construction Projects with Smart Technology

Trimble: Revolutionizing Construction Projects with Smart Technology

With its smart technology, Trimble is helping contractors manage construction projects on time, improve equipment efficiency, bring higher productivity, worker safety, and complete project economically with desired quality.

Read more ...

Terex Brand Finlay: Application-Driven Crushing & Screening Solutions

Terex Brand Finlay: Application-Driven Crushing & Screening Solutions

Alan Witherow, Product & Applications Manager, Finlay in an interview with P.P. Basistha on the sidelines of Texcon 2023, informed that Finlay, a Terex product brand, is working towards making the crushing and screening solutions more

Read more ...

Jaso India Prioritising Customer's Satisfaction with Reliable Cranes

Jaso India Prioritising Customer's Satisfaction with Reliable Cranes

“Our cranes are designed as per FEM regulations and are equipped with all the necessary safety features required for safe operations. Our aim is to be trusted and reliable material lifting partner for our customers.” Vishal Sharma, Managing Director

Read more ...

Agrani Enterprises Waterproofing Infrastructure for Longevity & Safety

Agrani Enterprises Waterproofing Infrastructure for Longevity & Safety

“Embracing technological advancements can ultimately lead to more efficient and cost-effective construction practices. This is because the integration of technology in construction companies, particularly in waterproofing, repair, and retrofitting

Read more ...

3D Concrete Printing Workshop with Live Demos

3D Concrete Printing Workshop with Live Demos

Advances in robotics, materials science, and digital design have paved the way for the development of sophisticated 3D concrete printing systems capable of constructing large-scale structures with precision and efficiency. Dr. Vishal Thombare

Read more ...

Jal Shakti Restoring Water To The People of India

Jal Shakti Restoring Water To The People of India

Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister, Jal Shakti, shares with S.A.Faridi & Maria R, the challenges and initiatives being taken by the ministry towards effective water management and availability of safe drinking water for India’s burgeoning

Read more ...

Dam Safety Society: Scientific, Technological & Systematic Management

Dam Safety Society: Scientific, Technological & Systematic Management

Dams are critical infrastructure for storing water for a variety of uses like drinking, irrigation, power generation, industrial, domestic, and recreational uses. Managing the precious water assets requires systematic management and

Read more ...

Powerscreen: Strong & Reliable Electric & Hybrid Crushing Machines

Powerscreen: Strong & Reliable Electric & Hybrid Crushing Machines

Powerscreen is actively engaging with its customers to glean information on their job requirements and suggestions, and accordingly making enhancements in its products like Electric & Hybrid Crushing Machines, making them more

Read more ...

Sany India: Batch Mix Plants, Excavators, Cranes & Pilig Rigs

Sany India: Batch Mix Plants, Excavators, Cranes & Pilig Rigs

This achievement is a testament to SANY India’s commitment to provide high–quality, reliable and innovative equipment to the Indian market. Surpassing 30,000 machines operating across India fills us with immense pride. This significant milestone

Read more ...

Paving The Way for More Efficient And Timely Construction & Manufacturing Processes

Paving The Way for More Efficient And Timely Construction & Manufacturing Processes

Transformation of the infrastructure industry is vital for mitigation of climate challenges and the Blue-Green infrastructure offers a sustainable and self-healing solution for the problem at hand, informs Nikhil Jain, CEO, Qubik Group

Read more ...

MCOS Global: Solutions to Reduce Project Delays & Achieve Sustainability

MCOS Global: Solutions to Reduce Project Delays & Achieve Sustainability

Subhashis Kar, Managing Director, MCOS Global presents possible solutions and measures to effectively reduce delays in infra construction projects and bring sustainability in urban developments. MCOS Global is a prominent player

Read more ...

EXCON 2023: Showcasing Construction Industry’s Resilience and Vibrancy

EXCON 2023: Showcasing Construction Industry’s Resilience and Vibrancy

I am sure that a lot of excitement and enthusiasm is building up for the coming week when EXCON 2023, one of the largest construction equipment and technology trade fairs in the world, will open its door to welcome all the

Read more ...

Shri Gadkari discusses on road construction policies, technologies, challenges

Shri Gadkari discusses on road construction policies, technologies, challenges

In a prelude to EXCON 2023, Hon’ble Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, discusses with S. A. Faridi,Group Managing Editor, various aspects of road construction including policies

Read more ...

ICEMA: equipment industry growth prospect, challenges, training etc

ICEMA: equipment industry growth prospect, challenges, training etc

V. Vivekanand, President - ICEMA and Managing Director - Caterpillar India, shares his views on the growth prospects of India’s construction equipment industry and the need for it to embrace higher technology standards to solidify its position

Read more ...

BAI working on construction technologies, sustainability, standardization

BAI working on construction technologies, sustainability, standardization

According to S. Narsimha Reddy, President, Builders’ Association of India, modern construction technologies, use of sustainable building materials and standardisation are important for achieving project completion timelines

Read more ...

COAOI creating favorable environment for crane rental companies

COAOI creating favorable environment for crane rental companies

COAOI engages with the government and relevant stakeholders to promote a more conducive business environment so that crane rental companies can operate efficiently and contribute to the nation’s infrastructure development while maintaining safety

Read more ...

CERA: rental co. instrumental in construction equipment industry growth

CERA: rental co. instrumental in construction equipment industry growth

Rentals are paving the way forward for the construction equipment industry, and to ensure long-term resilience and growth, we are championing initiatives like unity, standardization, and commitment to fair practices

Read more ...

JCB India: Hi-tech Excavators, Telehandlers, Backhoe Loaders & AWP

JCB India: Hi-tech Excavators, Telehandlers, Backhoe Loaders & AWP

JCB is a leading construction equipment manufacturer with a comprehensive range of products that include mini excavators, skid steer loaders, telehandlers backhoe loaders, access platforms, compactors, excavators

Read more ...

Volvo CE: Time-Tested Excavators, Compactors & Asphalt Pavers

Volvo CE: Time-Tested Excavators, Compactors & Asphalt Pavers

Volvo CE started its India operations in 1998 to manufacture crawler excavators, soil compactors, and asphalt pavers. In 2022, it introduced time-tested quality machines like the EC300DL BH, custom-built for quarries, and Volvo EC480D

Read more ...

Wirtgen: Advanced Road Construction, Crushing & Screeing Equipment

Wirtgen: Advanced Road Construction, Crushing & Screeing Equipment

With its various product brands WIRTGEN, VÖGELE, HAMM, KLEEMANN and BENNINGHOVEN, the WIRTGEN GROUP covers the entire road construction process chain from processing, mixing, paving, compacting, and road rehabilitation to

Read more ...

To get latest updates on whatsapp, Save +91 93545 87773 and send us a 'Saved' message
Click Here to Subscribe to Our eNewsletter.