Souma Ray, Haulotte

Mr. Souma Ray, Director

Haulotte has developed an entirely new line of telehandlers, specifically adapted for handling heavy loads of 5.2 to 7.2 tons. We are continuously incorporating the latest user-friendly technology in our machines, and all our new machines are Telematics compliable.

Logically, all lifting equipment should be clubbed under the same GST rate

Demonetization and implementation of GST over the last one year has certainly affected the Indian market with businesses slowing down, and thus resulting in drop of GDP on YoY basis. The same has also been felt by the Access Equipment industry too, as many of the customers took up a wait and watch approach so business in the pipeline got delayed.

Although the rollout of GST is a historical step and we welcome its introduction, but there are ambiguities in the applicable rate of GST for many products like ours, which is affecting business. For example, for Access Equipment, Forklifts, Construction Equipment etc. prior to 15th November 2017, the GST rate has been pegged at 28% whereas the Mobile cranes have been put at 18%. Logically all such lifting equipment whether People or Material should be clubbed together under the same GST rate. Representations were made to the Government in this aspect and we are thankful to the GST council that they have considered our appeal and the GST rate for all Lifting /Construction equipment has now been revised to 18%.

We at Haulotte have done decently well on YTD basis with business from across sectors within India and also from neighboring countries that are served by Haulotte India. We expect to close the year with a 25% YoY growth.

Government should formulate legislation for safety and regulation on used equipment

Across the developed countries of the world where usage of AWPs is very common and essential, it is the rental segment which is the biggest buyer of new machines followed by the end-users. There are proper legislations in terms of working safely at height and the maximum age that an AWP can be used, after which it has to be scrapped. However, in India, due to lack of such regulations, new machines are procured mostly by the end-users, whereas the rental segment prefers to source used machines.

AWPs are used across sectors, in Construction, Infrastructure, Factories, Airports, Warehouses, Malls, Hospitals, Hotels, Facility management, Ports, Shipyards, Defence etc. wherever there is need to work safely at heights.

With the focus today being on the Infrastructure sector, more and more machines are being deployed mostly under rental. But in very few places there are stringent rules that forbid use of very old machines. One of the biggest challenge is that the indentor of such machines is more concerned about getting a low rental rate, thus allowing very old and out of serviceable life machines to be deployed by small rental companies. The more established bigger rental companies who offer better, younger and well-maintained equipment are thus challenged to compete against such low rates.

The need of the hour is to bring better awareness to project equipment indentors so that they change their mindset of compromising safety and productivity by using old equipment because of their low rental rate.

And last but not the least, we would like the Government to formulate a legislation on the safety of working at heights, and also put a clause, stipulating the age of the used machines that can be imported into our country. Our Government should take a cue from the best practices followed by the developed economies and formulate regulations that will encourage usage of AWPs. This will definitely spur growth of the AWP Industry in India.

Spreading awareness about Telehandlers should be a joint effort of all manufacturers

The nomenclature of telehandlers varies from country to country with names like telescopic handler and telescopic forklift also being used. In India, the market for Telehandlers is still very immature, yet it’s encouraging to note that they are fast becoming popular as more people across sectors are becoming aware of the versatility of the equipment.

Be it the end-users or rental companies, the selection of a telehandler should be based on a study of its application before finalizing the most suitable model, its size, and the necessary attachments. A standard telehandler comes with loading forks and optional attachments like material handling bucket, crane jib, winch, side shifting fork, man platform, etc. So, it is obvious that with the same machine one can do various functions such as loading/unloading, lifting, shifting of load/material, and even using it as an access platform.

But, there is a lot required to increase awareness of the multifarious uses of Telehandlers, and Haulotte is also contributing towards this. During the last edition of BC India in Dec 2016, we had exhibited one of our most popular models, the HTL 4010, which garnered a lot of interest from visitors across sectors. Along with our distributor Gemini Power Hydraulics, we have been actively promoting our Telehandlers across the infrastructure sector as well.

We believe that spreading awareness about Telehandlers should be a joint effort of all manufacturers; only then will the industry gather pace. We laud the initiatives of our competitors like JCB who have started manufacturing two models of Telehandlers in India.

New line of Haulotte telehandlers for handling heavy loads

As part of the ongoing innovation at Haulotte, we have developed an entirely new line of Haulotte telehandlers, specifically adapted for handling heavy loads of 5.2 to 7.2 tons. With this, our product portfolio now covers a wide range of solutions adapted to the specific needs of every type of user.

HTL 5210, the latest addition to the Haulotte range, offers the best load rating for the 10 m segment with a lift capacity of 5.2 ton up to a height of 10 m, representing a maximum forward reach at 3.5 tons to 5.8 m, with the stabilizer. It is most suited for all types of applications in the heavy construction, mining, oil, ports, and recycling sectors. It enables optimal productivity due to its exceptional performances, directly rivaling the 10/12 t ranges with an unbeatable price/performance ratio!

The stabilizers included in the standard configuration, ensure an excellent horizontal outreach. The rear axle locking system of the HTL range enables greater lateral stability for a very high load rating performance for the upper section.

Easy to operate on non-stabilized surfaces, HTL5210 is a four-wheel drive and steer all-terrain telehandler. It is equipped with a hydrostatic transmission for high precision movements, and an inching pedal system for smooth and easy approach. The result is an extremely versatile range of applications based on the availability of numerous compatible accessories.

Innovations at Haulotte

One of the many distinguishing and notable features that has recently been introduced in the new Diesel Boom Lifts at Haulotte is in the lower ground control box of our articulating boom. We have incorporated the Haulotte Diagnostic screen in the panel which will enable the user to get all details of performance and related parameters at the touch of a button. Further, any fault diagnosis can also be done on this screen, which gives a pictorial description of the nature and location of the fault. This helps tremendously in reducing the downtime of the machine, and any intervention required can be done in the shortest possible time.

Further, in order to facilitate loading and unloading at night and also for operating the machine in pitch darkness, we have incorporated the “Haulotte Active Lighting System” in our new Booms. These are LED lights that are integrated within the body and chassis of the machine.

We are continuously adapting new technologies and incorporating the latest user-friendly technology in our machines. All our new machines are Telematics compliable and customers can install their instruments on our machines.

Haulotte India conducts regular training program for the service team of its distributor Gemini and also for all AWP Rental customers whom Haulotte India handle directly

Haulotte India has a strong after-sales support network in India. Our service team is constantly training and augmenting the knowledge of Gemini’s service team. Periodic training programs are held to update their skills, and Haulotte engineers are always available whenever the dealer service team requires their intervention or assistance.

For rental companies, Haulotte India provides services directly. It’s true that year-on-year we add many new customers who not only have confidence in Haulotte products but also in our proactive and timely service support. The vision with which Haulotte India was established 5 years ago was to be in close proximity with its customers. We constantly strive to provide the best aftersales experience to our customers and this is why they bestow their faith in us.