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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Post Bauma Conexpo India 2024

Interaction – Dimitrov Krishnan, Managing Director, Volvo CE India Pvt. Ltd. January 2025

Volvo CE has incorporated a plethora of cutting-edge technologies into its machines for better performance and efficiency. Volvo CE machines feature cutting-edge technologies such as ActiveCare telematics, Co-Pilot operator assist systems, and autonomous solutions. These technologies provide real-time data on machine performance, fuel consumption, and maintenance needs, allowing users to optimize productivity and reduce operational costs. In an exclusive interview to CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES, DIMITROV KRISHNAN, MANAGING DIRECTOR, VOLVO CE INDIA PVT LTD, details his views on Viksit Bharat, Make in India, skilling initiatives and a lot more.

At Bauma CONEXPO 2024, our primary focus has been to reinforce the momentum we built with the launch of the Volvo EC210E earlier this year. Following its grand introduction in Bangalore in June, accompanied by 15 subsequent regional launches across the country, our participation here has been designed to solidify its presence in the market. We’ve chosen to concentrate exclusively on this model, showcasing it through a demo machine in the outdoor yard and an interactive indoor booth to engage directly with our customers.

The EC210E represents a significant milestone for Volvo CE, as it has been tailored to meet the demands of a broader customer base. This product repositions Volvo from being perceived solely as a premium solution to one that is accessible and relevant to average contractors. By introducing changes in product configuration, we’ve created a machine that is competitively priced and perfectly suited for mass-market appeal, helping us expand our market share. A key highlight of the EC210E is its exceptional fuel efficiency, reducing fuel consumption by approximately 2-3 liters per hour, resulting in a 15% overall improvement. This enhancement is coupled with a focus on reducing the total cost of ownership, including maintenance, repairs, and overall operational expenses, making it an attractive investment for contractors. Additionally, the EC210E integrates advanced hydraulic technology, featuring a positive hydraulic system and Indian-manufactured engines, delivering a powerful yet efficient performance. This strategic combination underscores Volvo CE’s commitment to innovation and localization, aligning with customer needs in India.

At Bauma CONEXPO, we are proud to highlight this product as an embodiment of our motto, “Karo Zyada Ki Umeed,” a promise of greater value, efficiency, and reliability for our customers in the construction and infrastructure sectors.

The question of how the construction equipment (CE) industry can align with the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” is both timely and critical. Bauma CONEXPO India 2024 aptly captures this ambition with its theme, “Banayenge Viksit Bharat.” This vision, articulated by the Honorable Prime Minister, sets a clear goal for India to become a developed nation by 2047, marking its 100th year of independence. Achieving this requires a coordinated effort from all stakeholders, especially in infrastructure development, which must be ready at least a decade prior to fully leverage its benefits.

As highlighted during the inaugural address by the Honorable Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Mr. Nitin Gadkari, infrastructure development is poised for unprecedented growth. With road projects worth Rs.70 lakh crore planned over the next 15 years, amounting to Rs.5 lakh crore annually, the scale of work is enormous. As an industry, we need to rethink our approach to meet these demands. First, we must make the construction equipment (CE) industry more attractive to talent by creating opportunities and a clear career pathway. Second, fostering self-reliance through a robust domestic component manufacturing ecosystem is critical. The industry is poised to double by 2030 and potentially grow 2.5 to 3 times within five years after that, positioning India to become the largest construction equipment market globally within a decade. This presents immense potential for investment and capacity building, making India an ideal destination for global players to establish operations.

At the same time, the industry must address key challenges to achieve the goals of a developed Bharat by 2047. Shrinking timelines demand higher levels of mechanization and more efficient equipment deployment. The quality of projects must also reflect global standards, requiring advanced technologies and equipment. Lastly, there must be a strong focus on safety and sustainability, enhancing work practices, adopting cleaner technologies, and improving equipment standards.

The fourth challenge lies in developing a skilled workforce. The industry needs to prioritize skilling initiatives to attract, train, and retain talent capable of meeting these demands. Collectively addressing these challenges will pave the way for achieving the ambitious infrastructure goals critical to realizing a developed India.

A decade ago, when the Honorable Prime Minister launched the Make in India and Atma Nirbhar Bharat campaigns, we were at a certain starting point. Today, we’ve come a long way—not yet at the destination, but the progress has been remarkable.

In the construction equipment (CE) industry specifically, the level of localization has increased significantly. Many global vendors have established operations in India, and several OEMs now manufacture locally. Of the total industry volume of $9.5 billion, nearly 70% is localized—a commendable achievement for an industry characterized by diverse product lines and relatively low volumes.

India’s attractiveness as a manufacturing hub has also grown, driven in part by global strategies like China Plus One, which has brought substantial investment into the country. Currently, India exports approximately 30,000 units of equipment annually to over 100 countries, including the US, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Notably, we export to almost every region except China, showcasing India’s capability to produce high-quality equipment that meets global standards.

With robust domestic growth on the horizon, the CE industry in India offers incredible scalability and opportunities. While significant progress has been made, much more remains to be accomplished. The foundation is strong, and the future looks promising for both localization and global competitiveness.

Skilling is a key priority for us because, while machines can be engineered to perfection, it’s skilled individuals who make them productive and fuel-efficient. As Chairman of the Skill Council, I’ve worked extensively to bring more industry focus to this issue. A significant challenge in skilling is the lack of mandatory certification for construction equipment operators. We are advocating for the government to make operator certification compulsory across all projects. Certified operators will not only ensure safety but also increase productivity. The skill council is ready to support this initiative, and I envision an ecosystem where, within the next 5 to 10 years, all construction machine operators are fully certified. This will enable us to maximize machine performance, safety, and fuel efficiency.

We have made a significant launch with our EC210 Excavator and plan to introduce more products in a similar range. Our goal is to aggressively capture market share and strengthen our position in the country. Having been in India for 26 years, we are now focused on expanding our business and achieving substantial growth in the years ahead.

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