Volvo Penta will offer quality solutions to OEMs


Bjorn Ingemanson	Peter Hertinge	Jonas Nilsson

Volvo Penta will commence production of its 5-8 litres industrial engines at VE power train facility at Pithampur, near Indore. The facility, which was formed following the joint venture between Volvo Group and Eicher Motors, presently manufactures medium duty engines for Volvo Group products. With initial localization, the concurrent strategy of the company would be to enhance its customers base, mainly in the construction equipment sector. This intends to do by tapping the growing construction equipment sector, through offering solutions to both Indian and foreign construction equipment OEMs based in India. The company has met with fair success so far with engines being supplied to prominent OEMs. So far, Volvo Penta's focus area has been marine and captive power generation sector. P.P. Basistha spoke to Bjorn Ingemanson, President AB Volvo Penta, Peter Hertinge, Senior Vice President, Global Operations AB Volvo Penta and Jonas Nilsson, Vice President and Head Volvo Penta in India to learn the company's strategy to enhance its presence among construction equipment OEMs in India.

Volvo Penta has been in India for quite some time; what is your demand assessment from the construction equipment sector?

With strong emphasis of the government to develop India's infrastructure, we foresee robust demand of construction equipment altogether from varied construction sector. One of the key construction equipment verticals will be material handling equipment and equipment used in road construction sector. We are looking at both the verticals very closely and our aim is to increase our business share in the segments. Road construction equipment is one of the major segment we are keenly interested in to enhance our business share.

Are you planning to enter into supply association with any OEMs presently? How will you provide price competitive solutions?

We are in talks with good numbers of India and foreign OEMs based in India. It will be premature to disclose their names. We are planning to enter into an association with OEMs for prime applications in conjunction with higher fuel efficiency, lower operating costs in terms of reduced maintenance and higher productivity.

Since every OEM has got its own standards, what will be the level of association you are planning to create the requisite solutions?
We develop the engines specification, followed by thorough understanding of their applications and requirements. Since, every equipment has its own requirement, depending on the loads and the cycle time. We will associate with the OEM's studying the various operations facets, followed by designing the products. This will be followed by appropriate product validations, in accordance with our global production benchmarks.

Who are the equipment OEMs, you have supplied your engines to?
Currently, Tractors India Limited has used our engines in some of its mobile cranes. We have also supplied engines to Putzmeister for its concrete boom pumps.