Innovation is one of the key pillars of FEHM’s growth strategy

Friends Equipment Heavy Machinery (FEHM), is a specialised engineering solutions company serving the tunnelling and underground infrastructure industry. Beyond TBMs, FEHM offers comprehensive tunnelling solutions including TBM refurbishment facilities, TBM cutters, scrapers, tail skin brushes, manual and automated jumbo drills for drill-and-blast tunnelling, tunnel segment moulds, multi-service vehicles (MSVs), gantry cranes, locomotives and rolling stock, shotcrete equipment, Construction equipment rentals tunnel waterproofing systems and industrial lubricants.

In an exclusive interview to CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES, KANWAR ABHAY SINGH, DIRECTOR, FRIENDS EQUIPMENT HEAVY MACHINERY PVT. LTD., provides details on his company’s TBM’s, prestigious projects, new launches and a lot more.

Could you brief us on your associations and range of tunnelling equipment and their applications?

Friends Equipment Heavy Machinery Pvt. Ltd. (FEHM) is a specialised engineering solutions company serving the tunnelling and underground infrastructure industry. We have established strategic partnerships with globally recognised manufacturers, enabling us to provide world-class equipment, engineering support and lifecycle services to our customers.

Our portfolio includes both new and refurbished Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) ranging from 0.5 metres to 18 metres in diameter, suitable for circular and rectangular tunnelling as well as horizontal and vertical applications. These machines are widely deployed in metro rail, highway tunnels, water transmission, hydropower projects, sewerage systems, underground parking facilities and nuclear infrastructure and Minning projects.

Beyond TBMs, FEHM offers comprehensive tunnelling solutions including TBM refurbishment facilities, cutter tools, scrapers, tail skin brushes, manual and automated jumbo drills for drill-and-blast tunnelling, tunnel segment moulds, multi-service vehicles (MSVs), gantry cranes, locomotives and rolling stock, shotcrete equipment, Construction equipment rentals tunnel waterproofing systems and industrial lubricants.

Our objective is to support customers throughout the complete lifecycle of tun nelling projects—from equipment selection and commissioning to refurbishment, maintenance and aftermarket support.

Which are the projects in which you are present? Please provide details on your landmark projects, challenges faced and how you overcame them.

FEHM has had the privilege of contributing to several of India’s most prestigious underground infrastructure projects, working alongside leading EPC contractors and project developers.

Some of our landmark projects include:

• Mumbai Coastal Road Project – 12.19 m Slurry TBM, where TBM Mavala achieved a world record excavation of 456.72 metres in a single month.
• Bangalore Metro – Four 6.6 m diameter TBMs, which emerged among the highest-performing machines on the project.
• Delhi Metro – Four 6.6 m diameter TBMs.
• Patna Metro – Four 6.6 m diameter TBMs.
• Chennai Metro – Two 6.6 m diameter TBMs.
• Orange Gate Project (Mumbai) – India’s largest diameter refurbishment of a 12.19 m Slurry TBM on Indian soil by FEHM, demonstrating our capability to execute highly specialised engineering work domestically.

The primary challenges across these projects have included complex geological conditions, demanding project schedules, supply-chain constraints and maintaining high equipment availability.

We have consistently overcome these challenges through meticulous engineering planning, rapid field support, strong OEM collaboration, robust refurbishment capabilities and a highly experienced technical workforce. Our focus has always been on minimising downtime while maximising productivity for our clients.

Any new products introduced in the market—and how have they been received? Tell us about the geographies/projects in which they are being targeted.

Our latest strategic initiative is the localisation of critical TBM consumables through a joint venture with Shandong Tianyou Tunnel Engineering Co., Ltd., one of China’s leading manufacturers of TBM cutting tools and tail skin brushes. Under this collaboration, FEHM will manufacture TBM disc cutters, scrapers and tail skin brushes in India, marking an important step towards strengthening the domestic tunnelling supply chain.

Although these products are globally proven, manufacturing them locally enables significantly shorter lead times, faster replacement during projects, enhanced quality control and comprehensive after-sales support. The response from EPC contractors and infrastructure developers has been highly encouraging, particularly as the industry increasingly looks to reduce dependence on imports while improving project execution efficiency.

These products are being targeted primarily at India’s expanding metro rail, water transmission, railway, highway and hydropower tunnelling projects. At the same time, they will support our growing business in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where we are actively involved in upcoming underground infrastructure developments. This initiative aligns with our long-term vision of building a self-reliant tunnelling ecosystem while delivering world-class products backed by local engineering expertise.

As a company, give us a sense of the emphasis you place on R&D and innovation.

Innovation is one of the key pillars of FEHM’s growth strategy.

Our R&D efforts focus on improving equipment reliability, extending service life and enhancing operational efficiency. We continuously evaluate emerging global technologies and engineering practices to improve the performance and maintainability of our products and services.

In addition to product development, we invest significantly in refurbishment methodologies, component engineering and localisation initiatives that reduce project costs while improving equipment availability. As we expand our indigenous manufacturing capabilities, R&D will continue to play an increasingly strategic role in delivering long-term value to our customers.

How is your organisation integrating advancements in digitalisation, automation, AI, telematics and predictive technologies?

Digital transformation is becoming increasingly important in the tunnelling industry, and FEHM is actively integrating modern technologies into equipment lifecycle management.

We are progressively implementing digital maintenance records, condition monitoring systems, predictive maintenance practices and data-driven asset management to improve equipment reliability and minimise unplanned downtime.

As adoption of these technologies continues to grow, we intend to leverage AI-driven diagnostics, predictive analytics and remote equipment monitoring to optimise maintenance decisions and maximise machine availability.

Advanced technologies such as robotic segment erection systems, automated tail seal calibration monitoring system and cutter monitoring systems are already demonstrating how automation and AI can significantly improve productivity, operational safety and equipment lifecycle performance.

How does your organisation ensure strong aftermarket support, customer service and high uptime?

Aftermarket support is one of FEHM’s strongest differentiators.

Our service model combines experienced field engineers, dedicated refurbishment facilities, quality spare parts, technical troubleshooting and rapid response support to ensure maximum equipment availability throughout the project lifecycle.

We work closely with project teams to understand site-specific challenges and provide timely engineering solutions that minimise downtime and maximise productivity. This customer-centric approach has enabled us to build long-term relationships with some of India’s leading infrastructure contractors.

To what extent has the ongoing global situation affected business and what strategies have you adopted?

Global supply-chain disruptions, logistics challenges and geopolitical uncertainties have undoubtedly impacted procurement cycles, equipment availability and project timelines across the infrastructure sector.

FEHM has proactively responded by diversifying our supplier network, maintaining strategic inventories of critical components and expanding our indigenous engineering capabilities.

These initiatives have significantly improved our resilience while enabling us to continue delivering dependable solutions to our customers despite changing global market conditions.

What are the main considerations when selecting a Tunnel Boring Machine?

Selecting the right TBM is one of the most critical decisions for any underground infrastructure project.

Key considerations include geological conditions, groundwater pressure, tunnel diameter, alignment, project duration, environmental constraints, logistics, maintenance requirements and overall project economics.

A properly selected TBM not only improves productivity but also enhances safety, reduces project risk and contributes significantly to successful project execution.

How do mixed ground conditions affect TBM operation?

Mixed ground conditions present one of the most demanding operating environments for any TBM.

Variations in soil and rock characteristics result in fluctuating cutting resistance, uneven cutter wear, face stability challenges and changing operational parameters.

Successful operation requires continuous geological assessment, appropriate cutter selection, optimised machine settings, effective face pressure control and an experienced technical team capable of responding quickly to changing ground conditions.

What’s the difference between EPB, Slurry and Hard Rock TBMs?

Each TBM type is specifically designed for different geological conditions.

EPB (Earth Pressure Balance) TBMs are ideally suited for soft ground conditions with relatively limited groundwater. Excavated material is used to balance face pressure during excavation.

Slurry TBMs are designed for unstable, water-bearing soils where pressurised slurry is used to stabilise the tunnel face and transport excavated material.

Hard Rock TBMs are engineered for competent rock formations, utilising disc cutters to efficiently excavate hard geological strata while achieving high productivity in suitable conditions.

What opportunities are you seeking going forward?

FEHM’s long-term strategy is to become a comprehensive lifecycle solutions provider for the global tunnelling industry.

We are actively expanding our capabilities in TBM refurbishment, indigenous manufacturing of critical components, OEM collaborations, digital asset management and engineering consultancy services.

Our international footprint is also growing rapidly. Following our successful expansion into the UAE and Saudi Arabia, we are proud to have been awarded the contract to supply 12 TBMs for the Dubai – Abu Dhabi High-Speed Rail Project. We are also actively pursuing several upcoming infrastructure opportunities across the Middle East, reflecting our commitment to becoming a globally recognised engineering partner.

Future outlook for the TBM industry and from a company perspective?

India’s continued investment in metro rail, high-speed rail, highways, water conveyance systems, hydropower and underground utilities presents tremendous long-term opportunities for the tunnelling industry.

The increasing emphasis on sustainable urban development, faster project execution and localisation will further accelerate the adoption of advanced TBM technology.

From FEHM’s perspective, the future lies in engineering excellence, indigenous manufacturing, digital transformation and strong customer partnerships. Our objective is to continually strengthen our technical capabilities and establish ourselves as one of the leading providers of end-to-end tunnelling solutions—not only in India but across international markets as well.