SCHWING STETTER INDIA plans to roll out 25 new products to the market to commemorate its 25th year.
Schwing Stetter India is known for its technologically superior, efficient and cost effective machines. The company churns out new products in minimum gestation period. In an exclusive interview to CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES, V.G.SAKTHIKUMAR, CMD, SCHWING STETTER INDIA, gives an overview on the CE industry, sustainable construction equipment offered by his company, post-sale services and a lot more.
Give us an over view on the CE industry, latest technology trends and market dynamics
The CE industry is experiencing a robust growth due to the increasing demand for infrastructure development in India. The government’s National Infrastructure Pipeline program has sanctioned multiple infra projects, such as metro rail, high-speed rail, and expressway projects, that have created a huge demand for concrete equipment. Some of the latest technology trends in the field are IOT-enabled concrete pump, mixers and loaders that allow easy logistics monitoring and fleet management, boom pumps with easy mode and single side pumping features, and concrete mixers with spirals that ensure better homogeneity and higher strength of the mix.
What are the types of sustainable construction equipment offered by your firm. Cutting edge technology featured in your products like electric, hybrid power, reduced emissions etc
SCHWING Stetter India offers a range of sustainable construction equipment that are designed to reduce environmental impact and operational costs. Some of the types of sustainable construction equipment offered by the company are electric concrete shotcrete machine, and reduced emission concrete mixer. These products use alternative sources of energy, such as a battery, and have lower fuel consumption and carbon footprint than conventional equipment.
Sustainable CE is very new to India, what measures is your company taking for adoption of sustainable construction equipment and how do you ensure smooth transition from traditional equipment to sustainable equipment for customers
SCHWING Stetter India is taking various measures to facilitate the adoption of sustainable construction equipment in India. Some of these measures are: providing training and awareness programs for customers and operators on the benefits and usage of sustainable equipment, offering attractive financing and leasing options for customers who want to switch to sustainable equipment, providing after-sales service and support for maintenance and repair of sustainable equipment, and collaborating with industry associations and government agencies to promote green construction practices and policies.
As a manufacturer tell us about the critical challenges faced while introducing sustainable construction equipment in India? To what extent does cost influence a customer’s purchasing decision?
Some of the critical challenges faced by SCHWING Stetter India while introducing sustainable construction equipment in India are: high initial cost and limited availability of batteries, lack of charging infrastructure and standardization, customer resistance and preference for traditional equipment, regulatory hurdles and policy gaps, and competition from other manufacturers who offer cheaper but less eco-friendly equipment. Cost is a major factor that influences a customer’s purchasing decision, as sustainable equipment is usually more expensive than traditional equipment. However, cost is not the only factor, as customers also consider other aspects such as performance, quality, reliability, durability, safety, and environmental impact.
Give us an understanding of the post-sale services offered by your company?
SCHWING Stetter India offers a comprehensive range of post-sale services for its customers. Some of these services are: warranty and guarantee for products and parts, spare parts supply and inventory management, preventive maintenance and breakdown service contracts, technical support and troubleshooting assistance, remote monitoring and diagnostics using IOT technology, customer feedback and satisfaction surveys, loyalty programs and rewards schemes, and upgradation and retrofitting options for existing equipment.
Which are the areas which will drive your business and tell us of the important projects where your products have been used with success?
Some of the areas that will drive SCHWING Stetter India’s business are: urban development and smart city projects, road and highway construction projects, railway and metro projects, airport and port projects, industrial and commercial projects, renewable energy projects, irrigation and water supply projects, mining and tunneling projects, and disaster management and relief projects. Some of the important projects where SCHWING Stetter India’s products have been used with success are: Delhi Metro Rail Project Phase 3, Mumbai Coastal Road Project, Statue of Unity Project, Chenab Bridge Project, Navi Mumbai International Airport Project, Bharatmala Pariyojana Project, and Char Dham Highway Project.
What sort of government initiatives or measures are required to speed up adoption of sustainable construction practices and equipment in India.
Some of the government initiatives or measures that are required to speed up the adoption of sustainable construction practices and equipment in India are: providing subsidies and tax incentives for manufacturers and customers who use sustainable equipment, creating a national policy framework and guidelines for green construction standards and certification, developing a robust charging infrastructure network and battery recycling system for electric equipment, enforcing strict emission norms and penalties for polluting equipment, creating awareness campaigns and education programs for stakeholders on the benefits of sustainable construction, facilitating research and innovation in sustainable construction technologies and solutions.
What is your outlook for the construction equipment industry and your company going forward?
The outlook for the construction equipment industry in India is positive and optimistic. The industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15-20% in the next five years due to the increasing demand for infrastructure development in various sectors. The outlook for SCHWING Stetter India is also bright and promising. We aim to consolidate our market leadership position in the concrete equipment segment by offering innovative products that meet customer needs. SCHWING has continuous plans for expansion, and we also plan to roll out 25 new products to the market to commemorate our 25th year.
