Prompt aftersales service is one of the main criteria
BV Raisinghani, President (Purchase), Jaiprakash Associates Ltd.

Technical suitability, after sales service support, delivery time, and price competitiveness are the major factors involved in the process of decision making, says BV Raisinghani, President (Purchase), Jaiprakash Associates Ltd.

What is the equipment selection process in your company?
The selection of an equipment is done based on the determination of technical suitability of equipment to suit execution methodology. In case standard equipment does not suit certain requirements, then we get it customised to fulfill the ultimate needs.

What are the safety features being considered, especially while selecting heavy machinery?
Protection for operator, engine and other drive components need to be fitted for protection against overloads, where necessary anti-collision devices and limit switches are fitted.

What are the categories, types and brands of construction equipment for which you are responsible?
Categories vary from heavy earthmoving, road construction, concreting, heavy fabrication engineering, fertiliser, realty, hotel, golf courses, etc. ÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ brands include Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi, Schwing Stetter, Cifa, Putzmeister, Sany, Zoomlion, Ingersoll Rand etc. The list is quite comprehensive covering about 40,000 suppliers.

Could you elaborate on the equipment applications for which you need to select equipment?
Main applications are in open-cast/underground coal mining, cement, hydroelectric projects, concreting, material handling, transportation, etc.

What are the prime considerations for equipment selection? Are you country specific? If yes, then what are the reasons thereof?
Technical suitability, past performance and aftersales service support are of prime importance. We have no preference for country of manufacture, but presence in India for prompt aftersales service is one of the main criteria.

Do you procure new or used or both categories of equipment? Could you elaborate on the same?
We procure mainly new equipment, except in case delivery of new equipment takes long time, old equipment in perfect working condition at good price is made available.

Do you give weightage to extra acquisition cost towards new technology, performance enhancing features, telematics, energy conservation and regeneration features etc?
Yes, we give weightage percentage that varies from application to application but normally it is within 10 per cent.

Could you elaborate on the decision making process for equipment procurement in your company?
Technical suitability, after sales service support, delivery time, and price competitiveness are the major factors involved in the process of decision making.

What are the procurement norms for establishing the Total Cost of Ownership of equipment?
The norms are based on minimum owning and operating cost.

What are the guaranties you seek from an equipment supplier?
We seek a minimum guarantee of 18 months from the date of commissioning for the equipment and for the engine it is two years/5,000 hours.

Do you seek guarantee for after sales maintenance, retrofit repairs and consumables?
Yes, we seek equipment availability guarantee through comprehensive service contract.

What about operational consumables, like ground engaging tools, drill rods, drill bits and such other items?
We source directly through rate contracts and take guarantee from the manufacturers.

Do you seek comprehensive after sales maintenance contracts from the suppliers? Are these on sites or are they centrally governed?
Yes, we do and these are finalised centrally.

What are the main challenges of procurement?
Aftersales service support is the major challenge.