What sets us apart is our focus on lifecycle value—reliability, fuel efficiency, uptime, and service responsiveness 

Volvo CE has established itself as a trusted industry leader known for its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and superior quality. In an exclusive interview to CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES, DIMITROV KRISHNAN, MANAGING DIRECTOR, VOLVO CE INDIA PVT LTD, details on the cutting edge technologies featured in his company’s machines, safety, operator comfort, ease of operations and a lot more.

Give a brief overview of the mining equipment industry, market dynamics, latest trends and the sector challenges.

India’s mining equipment industry is at the cusp of transformation. With rising demand for coal, aggregates, and critical minerals driven by infrastructure and renewable energy projects, the sector is shifting rapidly toward mechanization, digitalization, and sustainability. Surface excavation in coal mining continues to dominate, followed by iron ore and limestone. There’s growing demand for larger, more efficient equipment to handle increased contract sizes, longer lead distances, and higher striping ratios.

Customers are now prioritizing lifecycle value over upfront cost—focusing on uptime, service speed, and total cost of ownership. Digitally enabled, IoT-integrated machines and even early interest in electrified equipment are becoming part of mainstream operations. However, barriers such as high capex, permitting delays, and limited skilled manpower remain. Overcoming these through training, technology, and partnerships will be key to unlocking the next phase of growth. For OEMs like Volvo CE, this opens new avenues to deliver measurable value, innovation, and sustainability to the mining sector.

Tell us of your various product offerings, applications and their demand in the Indian market. Any new products launched or enhancements to the existing product line, detail us on the same.

Our mining equipment portfolio has been developed to reflect the range and fortitude of Indian mining companies. Machines like the EC480, EC550, EC750, and EC950 are widely used in coal, iron ore, and limestone applications—valued for their fuel efficiency, durability, and high productivity. The newly launched EC500 Electric, our grid-connected excavator, marks a step forward in sustainable mining. We continue to enhance our machines with better hydraulics, operator comfort, and advanced telematics for improved uptime and lifecycle value.

The EC210, developed with over 70% localization, remains a strong choice in mid-scale mining and aggregates, offering excellent fuel efficiency and performance for its class.

We are also seeing strong interest in our EC550E, a high-capacity excavator designed for heavy-duty mining. The recent launch of the grid-connected EC500 Electric marks our commitment to sustainable and future-ready solutions. With ongoing enhancements in machine efficiency, operator comfort, and digital telematics, we continue to support our customers in delivering higher uptime and total lifecycle value.

Detail us about the cutting edge technology in your machines in terms of telematics, smartness and IoT. What are the USP’s of your machines?

Under the current mining and construction conditions, data driven operation is the increasingly common way we go, and we’ve made our machines futures capable. Of particular differentiation is our CareTrack telematics system, offering fleet managers real-time views into the utilization of fuel, idling time, service intervals, and machine condition. Illustrations at sites like the Gondegaon mine in India’s Chhindwara district have shown CareTrack offering remote diagnostics with decisive increments in uptime and maintenance predictability.

Our equipment comes integrated with advanced telematics, enabling real-time monitoring of machine health, fuel consumption, idle time, and productivity. This empowers customers to make data-driven decisions that reduce downtime and optimize operations.

Many of our machines also feature Volvo Co-Pilot, a smart in-cab display that supports functions like Dig Assist, Load Assist, and more—enhancing accuracy, operator efficiency, and jobsite safety.

What sets us apart is our focus on lifecycle value—reliability, fuel efficiency, uptime, and service responsiveness. Our newly introduced EC500 Electric is a great example of combining sustainability with intelligent performance. Across the board, our machines are built to perform smarter, work harder, and deliver measurable value to customers.

Factors such as safety, operator comfort, ease of operations are crucial in mining equipment. What are the steps undertaken by you to provide the same.

Operator safety and comfort are not options, they’re a condition for optimizing productivity, especially in mining where machines are operating long hours in rugged terrain. Our cabs meet the highest specifications, ROPS and FOPS certified for structural integrity in the event of a roll over or falling objects. We’ve been even more discerning in the in-cab environment: from advanced air filtering systems engineered to maximize air quality in dusty environments, through ergonomically designed seats, low-vibration cabs and sound reduction characteristics engineered to enable operators to concentrate and remain comfortable over extended shifts.

Ease of operation is where Volvo CE machines never compromise. Our intuitive joystick controls, adaptive work settings, and intelligent alerts, such as seatbelt reminders and service indicators, all aim at reducing the driver’s fatigue and preventing human error. With better visibility through the wider driver’s station, improved lighting, and in-time feedback through the medium of the Volvo Co-Pilot system, we ensure the driver is in full command of the machine at all times even in the most extreme conditions. Our aim is to deliver a work environment which is not only efficient but even safe, supportive, and sustainable in the long term.

Training or skilling programs undertaken by your company to ensure maximum productivity.

At Volvo CE, we believe that the performance of our machines is directly linked to the capability of the people operating them. That’s why we’ve made deep and continued investments in skill development, actively contributing to the Infrastructure Equipment Skill Council (IESC). Over the years, we’ve delivered structured operator and technician training programs, many of them IESC-certified, that focus not only on machine handling but also on safety, fuel-efficient operation, and machine uptime.

To ensure accessibility, especially in remote mining regions, we launched the Simulator on Wheels initiative, taking full-scale excavator simulators on the road to mining and project sites. These mobile training units are equipped with realistic controls and are run by certified Volvo CE trainers. We’ve seen a measurable improvement in on-ground productivity and reduced operator errors, particularly in deployments where teams are trained on our Stage V-ready and electric equipment. For us, building human capital is as critical as building machines. Initiatives like the Volvo Iron Women Program are helping skill underrepresented groups, especially women, for roles in operations and maintenance. These efforts not only enhance machine efficiency and uptime but also address the industry’s growing demand for a skilled and future-ready workforce.

Your strategy to play in a price sensitive market.

Price sensitivity is a reality in India, especially in mining and infrastructure. But our approach isn’t to compete on price alone, we focus on delivering value across the machine’s life cycle. This includes fuel-efficient machines, predictable uptime through proactive service, and strong resale value, which is something our customers actively monitor now more than ever.

With localized models like the EC210, we’ve been able to align price points without compromising on Volvo’s core promise of quality and reliability. We’re also expanding flexible ownership models, including Equipment-as-a-Service, where customers pay based on usage, not asset cost, this is particularly useful in short-term projects or for customers scaling their fleet gradually.

In essence, our strategy is built on listening carefully to customer needs and responding with smart, sustainable options that support long-term profitability, not just initial affordability.

Tell us about your manufacturing facilities and dealer network in India.

Volvo CE India operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Peenya, Bengaluru, which produces a wide range of excavators, compactors, and wheel loaders. The plant is equipped with advanced processes that ensure high quality, safety, and sustainability standards.

Our nationwide dealer network, comprising 20 well-established dealerships, is strategically spread across the country to ensure prompt service, reliable customer support, and easy access to genuine parts—even in the most remote mining and construction regions. This extensive reach enables us to deliver end-to-end lifecycle support, keeping our customers’ operations running smoothly and efficiently across India.

Future outlook for the mining industry and from a company perspective.

With the growing demand for essential minerals fueled by infrastructure, energy, and industrial development, there’s increasing pressure to mine more efficiently and responsibly. The future of mining here will largely depend on how effectively the industry adopts technology, prioritizes environmental responsibility, and considers total cost of ownership.

From Volvo CE’s perspective, we are well-positioned to support this growth with our flagship high-capacity, fuel-efficient machines like the EC750, EC950, and the newly launched EC500 Electric. As the industry shifts toward sustainability, digitalization, and lifecycle value, we see strong opportunities to lead with smart, connected, and future-ready equipment.

Achieving sustainable and performance-driven solutions is no longer optional in mining, and this shift is rapidly gaining momentum across India. Investing in electrification, digital service intelligence, and tailored products has become key to driving this change. To put things into perspective, our next-generation electric machines, like the EC500 (Grid electric), at advanced mine locations, are already proving their ability to reduce emissions and lower operating costs. The goal is to empower customers to enhance productivity, boost machine uptime, and comply with stricter environmental regulations. We are dedicated to collaborating with customers, partners, and policymakers to lead this transition and help define what mining will look like in the future for India.