PALFINGER’s solutions are designed to improve equipment utilisation, operational efficiency and safety at the jobsite.
PALFINGER’s technology and product strategy is focused on improving safety, ease of operation, productivity and overall equipment efficiency. The company will be showcasing its advanced lifting and material handling solutions at BAUMA CONEXPO INDIA. In an exclusive interview to CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES, EKAMBARAM VIJAYKUMAR,GENERAL MANAGER – BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, PALFINGER INDIA PVT LTD, details on his company’s products and solutions being showcased at BAUMA CON EXPO INDIA, aftermarket support, customer centric initiatives and a lot more.
What key products, technologies or launches will you be showcasing at bauma CONEXPO INDIA 2026, and how do these offerings address the evolving needs of construction and infrastructure segments such as bridges, flyovers, rural projects and smart cities?
At bauma CONEXPO INDIA 2026, PALFINGER will showcase advanced lifting and material-handling solutions, with a strong focus on loader cranes and application-oriented offerings for the Indian market. These solutions are designed for lifting both men and materials, combining high lifting performance, compact design, safety, operator productivity and application flexibility.
Their mobility and versatility make them relevant to a wide range of infrastructure & construction applications such as bridges, flyovers, rural transmission projects and urban infrastructure. As customers increasingly seek safer alternatives to conventional lifting practices, PALFINGER’s solutions are designed to improve equipment utilisation, operational efficiency and safety at the jobsite.
Please provide details on your emphasis on technology, research, design and innovation. What is your focus on technological upgradation in digitalisation, automation, AI, telematics and predictive technologies?
PALFINGER’s technology and product strategy is focused on improving safety, ease of operation, productivity and overall equipment efficiency. Digital tools such as fleet monitoring, job planning, stability control, automated functions and intuitive operator interfaces help simplify complex tasks, improve visibility of machine performance and support more effective planning.
These technologies can reduce human errors, minimise operator fatigue and reduce dependence on individual operator skill, particularly in demanding applications. For PALFINGER, technology adoption must deliver measurable customer value by improving equipment utilisation, reducing downtime and supporting lower lifecycle costs.
Tell us about the indigenisation efforts undertaken by the company to meet market requirements. What is the company’s approach to implementing the ‘Make in India’ drive?
Localisation is an important part of PALFINGER’s long-term strategy in India. Our focus is on developing “Make in India, for India” solutions while progressively strengthening local manufacturing, sales, service and installation capabilities across the country.
A key step in this strategy is the new manufacturing plant in Maharashtra, which will support the Indian market and strengthen PALFINGER’s local capabilities. In parallel, we are expanding our partner network to improve customer reach, service availability and local support, while maintaining PALFINGER’s global quality and technology standards.
How does your organisation ensure strong aftermarket support, customer service and high uptime for its equipment across diverse and demanding operating conditions?
PALFINGER is strengthening its support ecosystem by expanding its partner network and enhancing customer service touchpoints across India. The company is also the only manufacturer in the industry to offer certified training under a Skill India-focused initiative, a key program driven by the Government of India. These efforts are intended to strengthen local technical expertise, improve the quality and speed of customer support, enhance equipment reliability and reduce avoidable downtime.
India currently has a network of six PALFINGER partners, and the company plans to expand this network to more than 50 partners by 2030. This expansion will bring PALFINGER closer to customers across the country, improving service accessibility, response times and the overall customer value proposition.
Digital tools such as Smart Eye and PALDIAG also support remote technical assistance and connectivity. Together with our regional service network, these initiatives help us support customers throughout the equipment lifecycle—from installation and training to maintenance and ongoing technical support.
What customer-centric initiatives has your company undertaken to stay ahead of the competition?
Our customer-centric approach begins with understanding application-specific challenges and developing solutions that address customer needs across the complete user experience. This approach is reflected in our brand promise, LIFETIME EXCELLENCE, which guides every solution we deliver to the market.
Localisation is central to our customer-focused strategy. Through our new manufacturing plant in Maharashtra and the expansion of our partner, service and installation network, we are strengthening our local capabilities and moving closer to customers across India. This enables us to develop solutions suited to local applications and operating conditions, while providing faster, more accessible support and maintaining PALFINGER’s global quality and technology standards.
Digital tools such as fleet monitoring, job planning and remote technical assistance further support better equipment utilisation, uptime and lifecycle value. Our objective is to build a reliable ecosystem around our equipment and support customers throughout its lifecycle.
What is your assessment of the market potential for your key product categories in India, and how do you foresee demand trends evolving in 2027 and beyond?
India offers significant potential for PALFINGER’s cranes, access platforms and other advanced lifting solutions. Investments in transport, railways, energy, urban development, logistics, construction and industrial infrastructure are creating demand for equipment that offers greater safety, reach, reliability and operational efficiency.
Looking ahead, we expect demand to increasingly shift towards specialised, mobile and productivity-oriented equipment. Customers are evaluating solutions based on lifecycle value, uptime, equipment utilisation and total cost of ownership rather than acquisition cost alone. Greater mechanisation, digitalisation and the adoption of safer lifting practices are likely to remain important trends as India’s infrastructure development continues.
How is your organisation embedding sustainability, cleaner technologies and environmentally responsible practices into its products, operations and long-term strategy?
PALFINGER’s approach is centred on improving equipment efficiency, productivity and utilisation while supporting safer and more responsible operations. Specialised equipment, digital job planning, fleet monitoring and intelligent functions can help customers use machines more effectively, reduce avoidable downtime and improve lifecycle value.
The company’s broader focus is on developing solutions that improve productivity and safety while reducing environmental impact. As the equipment industry evolves, PALFINGER will continue to assess technologies that are relevant to customer applications, operating conditions and the changing energy landscape, without compromising reliability or customer economics.
Rentals are growing. What is your strategy to tap opportunities, and what is your outlook for the rentals market?
Rental customers typically require equipment that offers high utilisation, versatility, reliability and strong service support across multiple projects. PALFINGER’s multi-utility and application-oriented solutions can support this requirement by enabling equipment to be used across different lifting and material-handling applications, depending on the configuration.
A strong regional partner and service network will also be important in supporting rental customers through faster technical assistance, maintenance and improved equipment availability. As customers increasingly focus on flexibility, uptime and lifecycle value, the rental segment could create further opportunities for specialised lifting solutions.
What are the major demands of end-users of your equipment? Is there a shift from initial cost to TCO in buyer decisions?
The Indian market is moving away from a predominantly price-driven purchasing approach towards one focused on productivity, uptime, lifecycle value and total cost of ownership. Customers are increasingly evaluating how effectively a machine can improve productivity, operate efficiently and deliver reliable performance throughout its lifecycle.
There is growing demand for operator safety, ease of operation, intelligent functions, reduced downtime and better equipment utilisation. Customers are also looking for stronger after-sales support, training and service availability. This is driving interest in specialised equipment and digital solutions that can deliver measurable improvements in safety, productivity and operating efficiency.
Your company has been exhibiting at bauma CONEXPO INDIA. How has the exhibition evolved, and what have been the major takeaways as an exhibitor?
For PALFINGER, bauma CONEXPO INDIA has become an important platform for engaging directly with customers, understanding application-specific challenges and demonstrating advanced lifting solutions. The exhibition provides an opportunity to present technologies that improve safety, efficiency and equipment availability while receiving direct feedback from the Indian market.
Our participation in the Noida edition will also help strengthen our presence in northern India, engage with major construction and infrastructure companies and expand our partner network. A key takeaway is the growing customer interest in safer, more specialised and application-oriented solutions that can offer better productivity and lifecycle value than conventional alternatives.
What is your outlook for the construction equipment industry and your company going forward?
The construction equipment industry is entering a phase shaped by greater mechanisation, digitalisation and the adoption of specialised equipment. Customers are increasingly seeking solutions that improve safety, productivity, ease of operation, uptime and lifecycle value.
India’s investments in infrastructure, transport, energy, logistics, urban development and industrial projects offer strong long-term potential for advanced lifting and material-handling solutions. PALFINGER is strengthening its presence through the new manufacturing plant in Maharashtra, the expansion of its partner and service network, and the development of solutions suited to Indian requirements. Our objective is to support India’s growth by delivering global expertise through local solutions and building a reliable ecosystem around our products.
