Hafeez Khan, Managing Director, Manitou South Asia
From working like a loader to carry loose material, a forklift to lift palletized loads, as a crane to lift suspended loads, to a platform for working on heights – the telehandler does it all, informs Hafeez Khan, Managing Director, Manitou South Asia.

What is your view of the current telehandler market in India and its growth prospects?
The telehandler concept in India is still at a nascent stage and is yet to pick up more widely despite its many applications. This machine can handle all kinds of materials if used with the right attachments, and only after studying the job and application viability.

We are seeing many corporate customers shifting to mechanized modes of construction related jobs. They are trying out the telehandler to become familiar with its operations and applications, the advantages that accrue from its versatility, and most importantly, its safety features. Once customers understand the long-term benefits of the telehandler, its scope of usage will widen greatly in India. This is because the versatility and power of a telehandler give it more capabilities than any other equipment.

The Multitasking Telehandler
What are the major application areas for Telehandlers?
The telehandler can be used for multiple jobs using a range of attachments like the floating fork carriage, tilting fork carriage, general purpose bucket, crane jib, frame mounted hook, extension jib, 4 in 1 bucket, construction bucket, platform basket, big bag handler, concrete skip, crane skip, and many more.

Manitou has developed its telehandlers to work in any environment, and on both plain and rough terrains. Their applications are widening to include placing any kind of loads at height, and also as elevated working platforms for project workers. The list of applications is, in fact, quite endless, given their extensive range of attachments. Today, telehandlers are finding application in various sectors viz Infrastructure, Construction, Industrial, Oil & Gas, Mining, Logistics etc.

What are the new technological features in telehandlers that ensure safety, higher productivity, and no carbon emissions?
Innovations in the telehandler is a constant process. In the initial stages, we have just seen a fixed platform telehandler where the boom can be extended. Now we have rotating telehandlers (our MRT range for instance) where the boom can be rotated 360 degrees, which makes material handling easy, safe, quick, and more productive. Our heavy telehandler range (MHT) can lift heavy loads and are finding application in the mining sector.

As regards safety, all Manitou telehandlers come standard with hydraulic cut-off, which helps the operator to lift the loads within limits and avoid accidents. Battery cut-off, Seat Sensor, 4 equal Tyres, and Brakes on both the axles ensure complete safety. There are three important steering modes: 2-wheel steer, 4-wheel steer, and Crab Steer, which allow maneuvering of the machine in narrow and challenging job sites.

As regards productivity, the telehandler performs better than other machines; it can work as a loader to carry loose material, as a forklift to lift palletized loads, as a crane to lift suspended loads, and as a platform to work on heights – features that make it an all-in-one machine that gives productivity with safety.

At Manitou, we believe that a machine’s Design and Engineering are very important for it to work efficiently. Our machines undergo rigorous tests so that they can meet any site challenges (which are very dynamic) and where the machines’ responsiveness holds the key to productivity.

The TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) calculators and fuel saving technology have always been at the forefront while designing and manufacturing our products. This is because all our machines are made with a view to lowering their operational and maintenance costs. There is no compromise on their quality so that they give higher uptime even when working in challenging environments and under rugged conditions.

Manitou Group’s CSR goal is to contribute to the global effort to contain global warming. It has set firm targets to reduce direct and indirect carbon emissions. In fact, the Group’s low carbon trajectory has been validated by a renowned independent body led by four international organizations. Our R&D team works relentlessly towards achieving the best outputs and with strict adherence to the current emission norms.

What scope do you see for electric-driven access equipment in the Indian market and use of alternate fuels like hydrogen?
The use of alternative fuels and electrification of vehicles is still at a very nascent stage, especially in the construction equipment segment of India. On the global level, there is an observation that the next big thing is definitely electric for mobility and productivity of construction equipment. This is precisely the reason why Manitou has started launching fully electric Telehandlers and Access Equipment in Europe and some other parts of the world. The same shift to electric is expected to be seen in India as an alternate source of energy.

Apart from the change in the mindset of construction equipment users, the shift to electric-driven machines will require development of infrastructure, with provisions for charging points, etc, and considerations on their cost implications, government policies and frameworks etc - all this will happen in due course of time.

We are seeing some demand for CNG and Hydrogen, even though the demand is limited to pockets where there is an abundance of gas available. We need to watch their usage in the current Indian conditions. Our R&D team is also working towards achieving the best outputs with strict adherence to emission norms.

The Multitasking Telehandler

What after-sales services do you provide customers?
At Manitou, our aim is to satisfy our customers by providing them the best services, on-time responsiveness to their machine breakdowns, and last mile connectivity for timely spares supply. Expansion of our dealer network and services is a continuous process. We also follow the COCO (company owned and company operated) model, based on which, we have our own Direct Sales (Machines & Parts) and Service Points (called Manitou SSPs) at different locations. Through the SSPs, we are able to deliver industry best aftermarket support, including training to customers and dealers.

Our core KPIs are ‘Responsiveness, Low Machine Downtime, and Reduced Total Cost of Ownership for our customers’. Our tagline “Handling Your World” points at helping our customers to better handle their work and business through use of world-class, reliable, and tech-driven products.
Everything is Possible Through Hard Work
BRO has been at the forefront of adopting the latest technologies, which are both environment-friendly and cost-effective, and have resolved many construction problems, while facilitating speedy execution of projects. The organisation has not only constructed

Read more ...

Why India is an Important Market for TEREX
Terex enjoys a strong brand recall in India’s construction equipment market, especially in crushing and screening, pick and carry cranes, and the more recent solutions for waste recycling. John L. Garrison, Chairman of the Board, President & CEO, and Kieran

Read more ...

Escorts-Kubota - Ready to Showcase Its Strengths to the World
Sanjeev Bajaj, Chief Executive, Escorts-Kubota discusses with S.A.Faridi, the synergy that the joint venture between India’s multinational conglomerate Escorts Limited and the renowned Japanese Company Kubota Corporation will bring to India’s construction

Read more ...

SROT: Indigenizing Production
Yusuf A S Inamdar, Director - Industry, SROT, and Regional Business & Technical Head, J Kumar Infraprojects Ltd, throws light on how the SROT Incubation centre, which is a vital step towards achieving an Atmanirbhar Bharat, will help budding entrepreneurs

Read more ...

Neptune innovates artificial sand, green sand & artificial aggregates
We have four major divisions within Neptune: our Building Material and Construction Technology Division focuses on building construction materials. We are a leader in fly ash brick plants, concrete block and paver manufacturing plant, CSE brick plants, red

Read more ...

Everest Engineering Equipment - Catering to Mega Infra Construction Projects
Everest Engineering Equipment, exclusive distributor of GJJ passenger hoists and platforms in India, has grown tremendously with many new customers and repeat buyers. Discussing the company’s expansion plans, PV Ramdev, Managing Director, informs

Read more ...

Arihant Panel Fittings: Meeting Demand for Quality Products
We are providing customised products and innovative solutions by constantly investing in R&D to come up with new designs and technologies. Mahendra Jain, Director. Arihant is meeting demand for products such as quarter turn locks, compression locks

Read more ...

GMMCO: Providing a Seamless Experience to Customers
Gmmco Ltd., a part of the 2.9 billion dollar diversified CK Birla Group, is keeping up the Group’s legacy of helping build the India of tomorrow by offering world-class and innovative solutions for infrastructure and mining. V Chandrashekar, Managing

Read more ...

Moteurs Baudouin
We are fully geared up with the technological advancements required to meet the CPCB IV+norms with our flexible and dependable power solutions. Gurunath Kulkarni. For over 100 years, Baudouin has been designing the highest quality diesel and gas engines for

Read more ...

Builders Association of India: Bridging the Gaps
Nimesh Patel, President, BAI & Managing Director, Maruti Infrastructure Limited, discusses the challenges and issues faced by the construction and real estate industries of India; why BAI is propagating a Unified Standard Contract Document, and how the

Read more ...

Volvo CE India: Designing Machines to Give Power & Precision
Volvo machines are 10-15% more fuel efficient, they comply with CEV IV emission norms, and can run on alternative eco-friendly fuels such as biodiesel. We lay strong emphasis on operator training for efficient use of every machine that we sell, avers Dimitrov

Read more ...

Tata Hitachi India: Developing Indigenous High-Tech Machines
To serve the Indian infra development sector more industriously, we will continue to undertake extensive R&D and introduce machines with high-tech features, cost-effective solutions, high performance, and fuel efficiency, avers Sandeep Singh, Managing

Read more ...

L&T: Industry Leading Initiatives & Achievements
Arvind K Garg, Senior Vice President and Head, L&T Construction & Mining Machinery, enumerates the technologies and products introduced by Komatsu and L&T, the company’s extensive customer service programs, and proactive skill development initiatives which

Read more ...

ACE: Electrifying the Industry
Sorab Agarwal, Executive Director, informs that the company is set to become India’s first ‘swadeshi’ manufacturer of electric construction equipment with the launch of a fully electric mobile crane, whose technology has been developed indigenously at their

Read more ...

Terex: Strengthening Foothold Across India
Jaideep Shekhar, Managing Director, Asia & EMEAR, informs that the company will continue to strengthen its foothold in the Indian market by bringing in new technologies, expanding its product portfolio, and entering new construction territories. Its aim is to

Read more ...

Schwing Stetter India: Formulating Plans to Adapt to Demand Trends
V.G.Sakthikumar, Managing Director, informs that since sustainability is an integral part of the company, they are pursuing collaborations and R&D to bring innovative solutions, increase usage of green energy in its facilities, and reduce carbon

Read more ...

Escorts Kubota: Prioritizing Customer Benefits
Sanjeev Bajaj, Chief Executive, Escorts Kubota Limited, is confident that 2023-24 will be a great year for the CE business and demand may be more than the current capacity, largely led by domestic consumption due to the infra push by the Government before the

Read more ...

Puzzolana Group: Increasing Operational Efficiencies
Abhijeet Pai, President, informs that the company’s wide ranging value-added services for its customers has positioned it as a total solution provider in the Crushing & Screening Industry. The focus at bauma this year will be on M-sand, aggregates, railway

Read more ...

Sany India: In Sync With Changing Trends
Dheeraj Panda, Chief Operating Officer - Sales, Marketing & Customer Support, Sany India, informs that the company has taken a significant step forward towards sustainability with its B-V biodiesel machines, and is also testing electric technologies for

Read more ...

CRCHI: Making Tunnel Construction Smarter & Safer
CRCHI is positioned in world markets as a large enterprise with a strong focus on research, design, and manufacturing of customized underground engineering and rail transit equipment, informs Song Shuang, Vice Managing Director, Overseas

Read more ...