In India, Kobelco excavators are the preferred choice in most common applications

Kobelco has a global focus on listening to the customer. The company initiated operations in India in 2007, and based on the experiences and observations, our products have undergone many changes to suit the Indian conditions.

What is your outlook for 2020?
2020 is likely to be a very critical year for the CE industry. There are high expectations for a substantial improvement especially after the drop last year. There have been pronouncements from the establishment on various counts like allocation of funds, new Projects, market liquidity, resolution of bottlenecks, NBFCs, etc. However, the question uppermost in the minds of most stakeholders persists – When will the results show up on the ground? When will the numbers improve?

What are your expectations from the upcoming union budget?
The Union Budget is not likely to be very dramatic, rather it may be a continuation of the various measures taken by the government to revive the economic by addressing key factors like GDP growth, fiscal deficit, inflation, etc. It should, of course, encourage revival of economic activities but the pace will be crucial.

Can you explain the operational safety benefits of your products?
Safety is one of the critical focus areas for Kobelco globally and this shows in the design of the products. The aspects covered include the safety of the operator, the excavator and its main components, and the surrounding work environment. Operator safety is ensured through the cabin design which includes a good view of the work area and the surroundings. entry & exit comply with the relevant ISO specifications. A hammer is provided for emergency exit.

In the unlikely event of an electronic issue, there is a standby arrangement which allows the machine to be operated though relatively slowly. Standard features like operating buzzer, flashing lights, under cover for the upper chassis, etc are regular features.

There is an alert mechanism which operates in case of Hydraulic filter blockage which prevents damage to the main pump. Robust fuel, air and oil filtrations are provided to ensure longer service life of critical components.

How is Kobelco aiding the development of Indian infrastructure through its innovative solutions?
A very large number of Kobelco excavators are working at many locations on infrastructure Projects across the country (including most of the high-profile projects like the Bharatmala, the Golden Quadrilateral, the numerous Expressways, etc) directly as well as at aggregate quarries. Kobelco excavators make an extra contribution with their exceptional Fuel savings (conserving a natural resource), higher productivity, and lower carbon footprint.

Being a global company, how do you ensure that your products are best suited for the Indian market?
Kobelco has a global focus on listening to the customer. The company initiated operations in India in 2007, and based on the experiences and observations, our products have undergone many changes to suit the Indian conditions.They have become more durable and user-friendly to meet the customer’s expectations. In fact, the machines developed in India, are being exported to various countries in South, South-east and West Asia as well as some countries in Africa. In India, Kobelco excavators are the preferred choice in most common applications.

SK Jaruhar, Advisor – Support Services,Kobelco Construction Equipment India Pvt Ltd

18