How to empower E&CE manufacturers

November 28, 2015 12:32 pm

Innovation in products and manufacturing practises remain key factors in enhancing manufacturing capabilities of E&CE industry.
  A well-developed infrastructure is a foundation for growth in any country, paving the way for better quality life and rapid rise in gross domestic product (GDP), especially for developing countries such as India. Construction sector in India is considered to be the second largest employer and contributor to economic activity, after agriculture sector. 50 per cent of the demand for construction activities in India comes from the infrastructure sector, while the rest comes from industrial activities, residential and commercial development etc. According to estimates, Indian construction industry is valued to be more than $126 billion.
Current statusEarthmoving and construction equipment manufacturing in India is evolving at a brisk pace and in certain categories of equipment’s the manufacturing is already on par with global standards. Talking about the current scenario of earth moving and construction equipment (E&CE) manufacturing in India, Kennady V. Kaippally, Country Manager – Mobile & Wind Solutions, Bonfiglioli Transmissions Pvt. Ltd. says, “We at Bonfiglioli Transmissions Pvt Ltd are a witness to a transformative change in our own business. Started with a focus on meeting domestic requirements, we now have a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chennai that is at par with global standards and supplies drives to 14 countries.”
With the government’s focus on infrastructure, there is renewed demand that is driving the E&CE growth, and India’s need for new infrastructure is substantial. Imtiaz Ahmed believes, “The Twelfth Five-Year Plan (FYP) projects an investment in the infrastructure sector of about $1 trillion while the Union Budget 2015 shows the government’s push for infrastructure sector with a hefty Rs 70,000 cr increase in investment.”
The government’s intention to support infrastructure development is outlined in many of its initiatives like 100 smart cities and Make in India. With a positive market environment for both global and local players in the infrastructure sector, the construction equipment (CE) industry has immense opportunity to contribute in India’s infrastructure growth story.
Key to infrastructure development will be for the government to create a favourable policy environment that will revive and bring speed to several long pending infrastructure projects. Hrishikesh Kulkarni, Business Head – Drives & Off Highway, SKF India feels, “Expected fast tracking infrastructure projects and increase in rural demand due to irrigation projects and state government sponsored road projects; metro projects across the country promises to create demand in cities, dedicated freight corridor and centre’s announcement of India’s first river connection project earlier this year amongst other positive policy developments should augur well for the growth of the construction equipment segment.”
India is under-penetrated in terms of infrastructure availability compared to other nations. But, the Indian E&CE market has the potential to grow. Satish Bhat MD, Ador Welding Ltd says, “Multiple challenges need to be addressed for the E&CE industry to achieve ‘long term’ potential, including land acquisition, procedural clearances, long term funding, planning and governance. Also, In addition, challenges being faced in the E&CE ‘Ecosystem’ will also need to be addressed. These challenges include – deployment of unskilled labour in the field by contractors; low demand for qualified manpower; lack of coordination among multiple stakeholders trying to enhance operator skills; lack of accreditation norms (safety, operations, training); lack of easy financing access; poor rental penetration; unfavourable taxes and regulations; variability in OEM demand; gaps in technology vis-à-vis market demand; stiff margin pressure.”
The construction equipment industry by its tremendous growth over years paves way for valuable FDI inflows and attracts various international players. It is the sector which gives either direct or indirect employment to more than 30 million people in the country and hence it is highly labour-intensive. V.V.Kamath, National Sales Director, Fronius India Pvt Ltd observes, “Among the total infrastructural investment, around 60 per cent accounts for construction equipment. During the last two decades, we could notice that the earth moving and construction equipment industry has made enormous progress and grown both in size and diversity.”
Enhancing manufacturing capabilitiesIndia has one of the lowest E&CE densities in the world, which though a constraint provides ample opportunities for future growth.  In such an environment challenge for E&CE industry remains in developing or adapting products and manufacturing capabilities that suit the specific demands of Indian market. Innovation in products and manufacturing practises remain a key in overcoming challenges. “In BTPL along with a local engineering centre, we are developing innovative products and manufacturing capabilities in our endeavour to meet the market expectations,” says Kaippally.
Today, as the construction equipment industry becomes more competitive, companies are looking for new and innovative ways to operate more efficiently and cost effectively. Sharing his views on enhancing manufacturing capabilities in E&CE industry, Ahmed says, “By leveraging Mobil Industrial Lubricants’ unique application expertise and range of premium-performance products, like the Mobil DTE 10 Excel Series of hydraulic fluids, companies in the construction and mining sector can help enhance their ability to reach their operation goals and gain a unique advantage in the marketplace. Mobil Industrial lubricants are expertly formulated to help reduce maintenance costs, extend oil drain intervals and deliver exceptional protection for key components, even under extreme weather and load conditions.”
In industries around the world, improving productivity is a top priority. ExxonMobil continue to demonstrate this value proposition through its products; whether it is Mobil DTE 10 Excel which can provide up to 6 per cent improvement in hydraulic system efficiency or Mobil SHC 600 used in gear and bearing circulating applications that can result up to 3.6 per cent energy efficiency savings and services that deliver commitment of advancing productivity benefits in the areas of safety, environmental care and productivity.
Ahmed adds, “Besides our comprehensive line-up of lubricants we offer a range of valuable services to our customers to help ensure they can fully realise the benefits our products offer so that they can help avoid common issues. ExxonMobil engineers have the technical experience and skills to help our customers maximise their productivity, reduce maintenance costs and increase the operational efficiency of their equipment.”
ExxonMobil range of PES (Planned Engineering Services) includes lubricant evaluations and audits, equipment checks, SIGNUM used oil analysis and interpretation, hydraulic system inspections, grease training on application and use, centralised grease system analysis and optimisation, troubleshoot services.
To enhance the manufacturing capability of E&CE industry, Bhat says, “Replacing old version of low productivity with high power consuming equipments with latest technologically improved equipments for manufacturing shop-floor, conducting skill enhancing training for the operators and automation in parts or complete assembly line.”
Kamath believes, “Automation and robotics are the best way to enhance the manufacturing capability thereby ensuring the repeatability, consistency and higher productivity at the same time by reducing the repair or rework and rejections.”
Solutions offered in manufacturing facility of E&CEBonfiglioli offers a vast array of solutions in E&CE industry, made out of its facility in Chennai. These include extremely compact 700 CK series drives, powered by integrated axial piston motors used extensively for excavators. Highly robust 700 C series with fail safe parking brake compatible with most cartridge type fixed or variable displacement motors for track drive and drum drive  applications used widely in machines ranging from pavers, compactors, loaders to drilling equipment’s. Innovative 700T series that provides safest and most effective solution for all slew drive applications in excavators and cranes. Convenient 600 series wheel drives with option of park brake disengagement for towing the vehicle during emergency. Absolutely dependable 500 series drum drives used for transit mixer applications and famous for their low maintenance. Versatile 300 series, used in concrete mixers, tower cranes and all other applications where shock loads are more a rule than exception.
Kaippally says, “Most of our customers make a wide array of construction equipment, each one having its own specific structural and duty characteristics. We offer a broad range of products that is unmatched in our industry, perfectly tailored to meet the varied demands making us a one stop shop for our customers.”
Talking specifically about earthmoving and construction equipment sector, Ahmed says, “We have plans and strategies in place which are working well in the current market scenario. With development in this sector, Mobil will continue to support its customers in achieving their productivity and cost saving objectives through innovative lubrication solutions. We look forward to our increased engineering collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturers in India to ensure optimal performance of our technology leading lubricants and take on specific lubrication challenges presented by various industrial machineries to deliver advancing productivity benefits.”
Ahmed adds, “Our priority will be to engage with equipment builders and local end consumers of lubricants thereby strengthening our foot print by way of delivering advancing productivity benefits that ensure operational safety, improved environmental care and increased productivity. Our Equipment Builder Services Group has been playing an instrumental role since 1914, working closely with Original Equipment Manufacturers to understand equipment trends, analyse lubrication challenges, provide consultancy on lubrication system design, help trouble shoot field lubrication issues and introduce new products and technologies.”
Mobil Industrial Lubricants has an extensive range of advanced technology lubricants that are well suited for construction and mining applications which include Mobil SHC and Mobil SHC Gear series of synthetic oils, Mobil grease XHP 220 series of high performance greases and our Mobil DTE 10 Excel series of high-performance hydraulic fluids. These products are formulated to help construction and mining companies achieve their safety, environmental care and productivity related goals, and deliver a range of performance benefits, including – extended equipment life, improved energy efficiency, longer oil life and enhanced environmental awareness.Mobil’s advanced technology offerings for the construction equipment sector includes: • Mobil SHC Gear Series: A family of superb performance fully-synthetic, industrial gear oil qualified by major gear original equipment manufacturers. In statistically validated laboratory tests and field trials, Mobil SHC Gear fluids exhibited energy savings of up to 3.6 per cent compared with conventional gear oils.
• Mobil grease XHP 220 Series: A range of premium quality greases that are designed to help optimise equipment reliability in a wide variety of heavy-duty applications and operating conditions. Mobil grease XHP 222 is part of the Mobil grease XHP 220 series of extended service lithium complex greases intended for a wide variety of applications and severe operating conditions. These greases have been designed to outperform conventional products by applying cutting edge, proprietary, and lithium complex manufacturing technology. They are formulated to provide excellent high temperature performance with superb adhesion, structural stability and resistance to water contamination. The excellence of Mobil grease XHP 222, for example, is recognised by more than 150 builders of critical industrial equipment who approve or endorse its use.
• Mobil DTE 10 Excel Series: A range of high performance hydraulic fluids, The Mobil DTE 10 Excel series hydraulic oils provide outstanding hydraulic system efficiency; ultra keep clean performance, and a high degree of fluid durability. Their excellent oxidation and thermal stability can help in extending oil and filter change intervals. Their high level of anti-wear properties and excellent film strength characteristics result in a high degree of equipment protection that not only results in fewer breakdowns but helps improve production capacity as well.

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