Excon 2011 underlines growth [Jan 2012]

Excon 2011 served as a platform for business opportunities making it a successful rendezvous between end-users and equipment manufacturers. A quick review by Relin Hedly & Subhajit Roy
In continuation to the successful series of the past editions, Excon 2011, the numero uno show on construction equipment and construction technology took place at Bengaluru from 23rd to 27th November. Spread over 200,000 square metres of display area and with a participation of over 630 exhibitors, including 200 foreign companies, the 6th international event witnessed over 400 new product launches by participating companies.
The 2011 edition was inaugurated by Dr. CP Joshi, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways. Citing the need of mechanisation for achieving inclusive growth of the country, the Minister said, “Mechanisation is imperative to speed up the implementation of India’s infrastructure projects”. Dr. Joshi has also released the CII-IECIAL report on Indian Earthmoving & Construction Industry Vision 2020: Commanding New Heights, prepared in association with Accenture. Addressing the inaugural function, Vipin Sondhi, Chairman, Excon 2011 & Managing Director & CEO, JCB India viewed the edition as one of the largest event in terms of quality visitors with increase in the number of domestic and overseas visitors, exhibition area and new project launches.
The Indian market for construction equipment and building material machinery is continuously growing for years and India is getting more and more into focus as an export and investment destination for the overseas machinery manufacturers. This year the exhibition saw an increase in the numbers of enhanced foreign players that included leading economies like China, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Spain and Turkey. Showcasing a wide variety of equipment, technology and products with specific emphasis on efficiency, productivity, environment and safety, an array of exhibitors participated in the 2011 edition.
Addressing the roundtable on skill management in earthmoving and construction industry, organised by CII as part of Excon 2011; V Ravichandar, Member, Sub-committee on Skills and Employability, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) – Southern Region said, “The paucity of skilled resources could stall the growth of the equipment manufacturers, after-sales support companies, equipment operators, and equipment maintenance companies, the major players of the ECE industry, which has the potential to grow seven fold over the next decade to cross US$ 25 billion mark”.
He said, “The ECE companies need to collaboratively create an exclusive, nationwide skill initiative with students, institutes, companies, and government as stakeholders and enlarge the pool of skilled labour”. However, the CEOs participating in the roundtable emphasised that government’s skill training programs are not market driven, and there are funding woes, institutional challenges, quality issues, and student constraints. They urged the institutes to pay attention to matching the aptitude of students with jobs before training them in order to increase the success rate.
Displaying the latest developments and advancements in construction equipment and technologies, the industry viewed Excon as an opportunity for industry to provide their customers an ‘on-ground equipment experience’, creating B2B linkages and offering a business platform for companies to network.
From live demonstrations of equipment for earthmoving & construction, lifting, material handling, concrete making, hydraulics, pneumatics and drills to a display of power tools and piling, electronics, controls and instrumentation, compactors and compressors and generators, the fair proved to be a great opportunity for business propositions. Apart from major equipment companies, rental companies, leasing and finance companies were active participants at Excon 2011. The overwhelming response received this time would surely encourage the organisers and exhibitors for a better show in next edition. Till then au revoir et tout le meilleur.
AMW enters 16 ton segment Asia Motor Works (AMW) launched its new 1618 TP Tipper model at Excon. This important new model marks AMW’s entry into the competitive 16 ton segment of the Indian commercial vehicle market. The 1618 TP is a single axle (4*2) tipper powered by a 178bhp diesel engine, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The model offer superior driver comfort thanks to its air-conditioned cabin which has class-leading aesthetics. With the launch of the 1618 TP, AMW now offers truck models ranging from 16 tons to 49 tons for various applications in the construction and mining sectors. According to Anirudh Bhuwalka, Managing Director and CEO, AMW, “This single axle 16 tonner marks our foray into the competitive 16 tonne segment and we are confident that this product will perform extremely well in the demanding and arduous construction and mining segment, in which AMW enjoys a number 2 position in the country.”
Kamaz Vectra introduces truck model 6520 At Excon, Kamaz Vectra Motors launched the KAMAZ 6520 tipper model of GVW 25 Ton, a 6×4 heavy dump truck in India. KAMAZ 6520 tipper model of GVW 25 Ton is built on a multi axle of 6X4 configuration with horsepower of 320 and torque of 1375 NM & 16 Speed gear box, first of its kind in this category. The high power V Type arranged overhead cam engine boosted by twin turbochargers offers extra tonnage and longevity. The special 6X4 integrated axle design lends high level of stability coupled with manoeuvrability, the tipper built on heavy duty frame, coupled with heavy duty suspension & 26 Ton bogey. KAMAZ 6520 GVW 25 Ton model is suitable for use in mining, heavy quarry operations, granite block transportation, lime stone transportation, other mineral transport, irrigation projects and infrastructure projects that demand continuous and tough duty cycles.
Caterpillar brings new models of Off-Highway Truck Caterpillar launched 2 new models of off-highway truck for the Indian market during Excon. The new Cat 770G Off-Highway Truck is a 40 ton class model and 772G Off-Highway Truck is a 50 Ton class model which are designed and built for demanding construction, quarry and mining applications. Both the new models feature efficient Cat engine and drive train configured to deliver high production and low cost per tonne of material hauled. An extensive list of options enables customers to configure their trucks to match their applications and their business objectives.Hyundai launched indigenously developed rugged excavatorHyundai Construction Equipment India, a subsidiary of Hyundai Heavy Industries, Korea, launched their heavy duty excavator RC 340L in India. R340 LC-7 is amongst the world class excavators from Hyundai specially designed and manufactured in India for heavy construction, marble, granite and quarry application. The operating or total weight of the machine is 34 tonnes, with an engine power of 260 HP (191 KW) at 1750 rpm. The bucket capacity of the excavator is 2.1 m3 GP (General Purpose), 1.76 m3 RB (Rock Breaker). Prabhat Kumar Tiwari, Head Sales & Marketing, Hyundai Construction Equipment India said, “Indian construction equipment industry is well poised for growth which is a key contributor to the Indian economy. This industry in India is expected to grow to a size of US$ 6.5 billion by the year 2014 as reported by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). Our impeccable track record & cutting edge technology will help us serve this industry better eventually setting a benchmark.”
Leyland Deere rolled out backhoe loader Leyland Deere, the 50:50 joint venture between Ashok Leyland and John Deere enters the Indian construction equipment business with the launch of its first product, the 435 Backhoe Loader. The LEYLAND DEERE435 Backhoe Loader (BHL) has been designed to transform the nature of the construction equipment business in India as well as redefine the way construction equipment products are perceived and used. Exceptionally well-engineered and feature-rich, the 435 BHL will deliver superior value to the ever-evolving construction equipment customer by addressing the critical considerations of lower operating cost, higher productivity and greater uptime. lt is rugged in structure, powered by an Ashok Leyland engine of proven pedigree from the ‘H’-Series platform and replete with USPs like power shift transmission, best in class cabin with larger space and higher visibility, higher breakout forces and greater dig depths.
LiuGong presents BSIII compliant machines LiuGong presented three new machines at Excon 2011 that are produced from company’s Pitampura plant in Indore, meet Bharat State III emissions standards and are specifically adapted for the region, making LiuGong among the first global manufacturers to deliver tier BSIII machines to the Indian market. LiuGong displayed its CLG835BSIII and CLG856BSIII wheel loaders, and CLG414BSIII motor grader, among other machines. Sunil Sapru, President of LiuGong India said, “These machines offer exactly what customers need, they are highly productive, fuel efficient machines with proven technology and incomparable durability. We’ve had unparalleled experience in getting all of the specifications right – between load, power, breakout force, counterweight, traction and bucket characteristics, no one knows wheel loaders better than LiuGong”.
SCHWING Stetter unveils innovative Concrete EquipmentConcrete construction equipment manufacturer SCHWING Stetter India unveiled 19 new products in ready-mix concrete technology: concrete mixing equipment, truck mixers, concrete pumps as well as boom pumps at Excon 2011. The new range of products will cater to all segments in the concreting business like pre-cast, ready mix concrete, construction in rural areas, hydro-power construction, road construction, metro-rail construction, airports, ports, mass housing and urban infrastructure. Speaking on the occasion, Anand Sundaresan, Managing Director, SCHWING Stetter India said, “These new products will cater to the changing need in concreting methods, demand for speeding of construction activities, increased awareness of safety and green technology.” VG Sakthikumar, Chief Operating Officer, SCHWING Stetter India said, “We have demonstrated the next level of mechanisation of concreting at EXCON 2011.”
BEML launched series of innovative earthmoving equipment The Government-owned BEML Limited has launched a R&D product viz., BE220R Hydraulic Excavator deployable in both Rail & Road construction activities. This equipment will perform dual role in the construction activities of both in laying of new railway track line, repair and maintenance of rail tracks and also in the regular earth excavation. This equipment is highly versatile in performance. The other innovative equipment launched at EXCON-2011 is BL9H Backhoe Loader, the ‘WORK HORSE’ series, for construction applications and municipal corporations. Additionally, for the first time, BEML has introduced all purpose BE 450 LC Excavator that can be extensively used for both mining and construction applications.

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