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Machine mantra
The high growth rate has channeled many global players
to the Indian construction equi¬pment market along with
latest technology and sophisticated features in the machinery.
As industry experts point out, there is an unprecedented growth
in the excavator market, which is expected to touch 40,000
units by 2012, a substantial growth above 185 per cent compared
to the projected volume of 14,000 units in 2008. Indian customers
are increasingly becoming technology-conscious and have started
demanding technically superior features. There is greater
emphasis not only on the operating cost of machines, but also
on environment-friendliness in terms of cleaner engines, less
fuel consumption, better hydraulics etc. No wonder, positioning
solutions, be it GPS, lasers, optical and inertial technologies
will transform the way work is done at a jobsite, and the
management of fleets to optimum productivity, through application
of innovative positioning tools. Though use of these tools
are in a nascent stage,
the emphasis on bottom line, without compromising the quality,
and quantum of work, at a faster pace, will push the user-industry
to adopt these solutions.
The shift towards the latest technology is also visible in
the foundation equipment industry. The trend is shifting towards
the use of hydraulic piling rigs and vibratory hammers from
the earlier tripod rig culture. It pays to employ the latest
in technology, as they are essential for executing time-bound
projects efficiently and for achieving better quality. Our
feature ‘A Firm Foothold’ casts a keen glance
at the present market scenario and the changing trends in
the industry. Globally, a growing number of mines are now
showing an interest in mining automation for increased fleet
utilisation, improved working conditions and safety, and increased
production. Our site report throws light on the importance
of automated mining solutions and associated software innovations
for optimising safe and productive mining operations.
The frenetic pace of change in Lutyen’s New Delhi has
to be seen to be believed. EQUIPMENT INDIA meets some of the
top equipment manufacturers in different segments, who have
contributed to the development of infrastructure with their
service and technological solutions. Our special feature ‘Capital
Gain’ features some of them.
It must be emphasised here that performance benchmarking
is one of the areas where we still lag behind. While there
are islands of excellence in different segments, benchmarking
has thus far been a neglected area, which unfortunately works
to the detriment of not only the contractor or builder, but
also subtracts from the exchequer. It’s is high time
we raised the performance bar.
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