Shell lubricants shining in construction equipment industry

September 22, 2014 6:21 pm

“As lubricants are critical machine components, we work with equipment manufacturers to make sure that our products help to enhance efficiency and offer increased protection along with extended oil and equipment life,” says Akhil Jha, VP Technical, Lubricants, Shell India Markets Pvt. Ltd.
Lubricants are integral part of construction equipment sector, they are finding their increasing use in many projects. In an exclusive interview with OEM Update, Akhil Jha talks about importance of lubricants in construction equipment sector and Shell India’s contribution towards it.
Please tell us how Shell Lubricants is establishing itself in the industry.Shell Lubricants understands that, in the construction industry, the customers are constantly striving to meet deadlines and lower operating costs. Keeping this in mind, Shell has a wide range of lubricants and services designed to make a real difference to the entire operation which ensures reliable lubricant supply for remote projects and increased equipment availability.
For our products, we follow Four D process which is define, design, develop and demonstrate. Shell’s construction product portfolio includes heavy-duty diesel engine oils, mobile hydraulic oils, greases, transmission and axle oils.
What are the products and solutions offered by you for construction sector?Shell offers variety of products and services designed to reduce the process and equipment-ownership costs by providing cutting unplanned equipment downtime, extended oil and equipment life and lowering maintenance costs.
Shell’s heavy-duty diesel engine oils features Shell Rimula series products which offer high power, protection and reliable lubrication. Its products in mobile hydraulic oils offer extra long life synthetic technologies and increased efficiency. Greases category provides protection at high temperatures and under extreme pressure conditions.  Shell spirax range offerings in transmission and axle oils help to keep transmission components protected so that they can go on working efficiently.
How does Shell stand in construction equipment sector? As lubricants are critical machine components, we work with equipment manufacturers to make sure that our products help to enhance efficiency and offer increased protection along with extended oil and equipment life.
We are investing heavily in R&D and trying to develop products which can give the maximum benefits. Subsequently, we look at what can we do to develop or raise the bench mark, not just by meeting their standards but develop a product which will benefit and meet the emerging needs of the industry.
We have relationships with many of the leading equipment manufacturers. Many of these companies deliver their equipment to their customers containing a Shell lubricant as an essential component of the machine. We have over 3,000 equipment manufacturer recommendations or approvals across our product range, including approvals from Caterpillar, JCB, Sany and Volvo and component manufacturers, including Bosch Rexroth, Carraro and ZF Friedrichschafen.Further, we support the development of new industry performance specifications by working with international organisations such as ACEA, API and JASO as well.
What OEM partnerships you have made in the construction sector? Shell Lubricants collaborates with leading companies and manufacturers that have some of the most exciting technology challenges, gaining expertise in lubricant technology and then applying it in a way that benefits customers.
Specific to construction industry, we collaborate with Schwing Stetter, Putzmeister, Sany, Sandvik, Komatsu, Terex and Scania. We have recently collaborated with Putzmeister, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high capacity concrete machines from Germany and have co-launched a specially formulated lubricant – Shell Putzmeister Premium HO 68 – a premium quality hydraulic fluid developed for hydraulic requirements of Putzmeister concrete machineries.
We engage with our customers at the initial stage itself and work together towards providing the best lubricant and services suiting their requirements.
Would like to give any advice to interested entrants in this industry?In present conditions, knowledge is the key. You have to be on top of the scales of knowledge and skill. You only learn when you do things on your own. Think innovatively and keep trying to find out the solutions.