WIRTGEN GROUP: THE FUTURE IN ROAD BUILDING
At the press meet organised by WIRTGEN INDIA at EXCON 2025, Dr. Volker Knickel, CEO Wirtgen Group, Frank Betzelt , Sr. Vice President Sales, Marketing and Customer Support -Wirtgen International, Ramesh Palagiri , Managing Director & CEO , Wirtgen India and Neena Nikam, Head – Marketing Communications & CSR, Wirtgen India, share their insights on market expansion, technology and sustainablity.
The mining and infrastructure sectors continue to show strong momentum, supported by steady project execution and a positive medium-term outlook. One of the most significant structural changes in recent years is the shift from large contractors to a broader base of mid-sized and smaller players. This retailisation of the market is expanding overall demand while requiring a more localised and trust-based approach to customer engagement. For Wirtgen Group, this evolution represents an opportunity to grow with the market. Engaging new customers—often first-time investors in advanced equipment—demands deeper education, closer presence, and consistent brand experience. We have therefore expanded our reach through regional roadshows, local customer meets, and on-ground demonstrations across India, ensuring wider access to our technology and expertise.
Technology remains a key enabler of customer success. Our focus is on supporting digital transformation through automation, connected machines, and data-driven insights that improve precision, productivity, and consistency—while addressing the growing shortage of skilled operators. Equally important is our shift from selling individual machines to delivering production system solutions, optimising the entire road construction process for better quality, faster execution, and lower cost.
Sustainability is best achieved through this holistic approach. The greatest impact on emissions reduction lies not in engines alone, but in material efficiency, recycling, and process optimisation. Proven solutions such as cold recycling already deliver significant economic benefits alongside CO2 reductions of over 60%, demonstrating that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand. Our approach to automation and alternative drive technologies is pragmatic and customer-centric. We introduce step-by-step automation that delivers immediate value today, while gradually progressing toward autonomous solutions as performance and economics mature.
Looking ahead, we expect 2026 to be another stable and solid year. India remains a strategic growth market and a global manufacturing and export hub for Wirtgen Group, with consistent quality standards across all markets. Our long-term confidence in India is strong, and we will continue to invest in capabilities, innovation, and customer proximity to support smarter, safer, and more sustainable infrastructure development.
For more details visit: www.wirtgen-group.com/india/en
