We see maturity amongst manufacturers
Arvind K Garg, Executive Vice President & Head, Construction & Mining Machinery Business, Larsen & Toubro Ltd, shares his thoughts on the equipment industry trends and outlook.

Industry trends: Current industry is very definitive, a state where there is transformation. Practices of doing work, technologies growing and the customers also transitioning from a cart to equipment which deliver brand. They also need values. Instead of acting independently, stake holders will have to work in a state of collaboration. Whether it is equipment or finance, to support the machines, the operating and supporting team

Industry trends: Current industry is very definitive, a state where there is transformation. Practices of doing work, technologies growing and the customers also transitioning from a cart to equipment which deliver brand. They also need values. Instead of acting independently, stake holders will have to work in a state of collaboration. Whether it is equipment or finance, to support the machines, the operating and supporting team will have to come together for this to happen. Looking at skill development, we are looking at cost-effective solutions. We are investing hugely in service stations, brining value to others. We do small deliveries ensuring the solution is cost-effective and bring the customers to life cycles. We may get equipment all over the world, but the cost matters. We are bringing change in the mindset of the customers. Look at not the initial cost but the cycle. What will the cost be over the period of one year or three years and that is what customers are looking for. We see that customers buy equipments for their contractors. We have been able to realise this over a period of time. The business of rentals is still taking time. You have similar equipment but the price difference is huge. We know how do you look at the equipment but we would not look at the equipment from the perspective of cost but from the perspective of availability, utilisation, support etc.

Buying patter: Indian customers are matured enough as they understand the market. There are different segments of customers and needs. There are equipment which are barely used for 3-4 hours a day. So we have customers who are buying machines for the applications. If I have application which is in demand, productive etc, will be much of use. The best application and solution is the need of the hour. There are certain countries which have low cost equipment. Manufacturers from those countries have not done well in India, as customers have realised that is not enough to buy. ÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ must serve for the time period. Comprehensive solution is what customers need.

Product offerings: At Bauma, we have introduced new model machine which is designed for very tough marble and granite.We had a motor grader which used to address the need of the road sector. Now, we have a machine which meets the need of the roads. Here we are displaying our range of compactors. We are now focusing on roads and see that this is a growing segment.

On Bauma: It is a good show but the place is a key constrain. The earlier one was more spacious. I feel that Excon will predominantly become South and West focused and Bauma will be North and East focused.

Industry outlook: We see that the industry is doing well and the construction equipment industry is one of the largest. This year despite various challenges, it is growing. We also see maturity amongst the manufacturers. All manufacturers are trying to move up. We are also trying to work with the government to help in the norms. All this will help the Indian equipment manufacturers to comply. We seek support from the government. Concrete is the largest part of the industry. So we are working together with the government and look for their support. The government and the industry should work hand in hand. India wants ease of doing business in the globe. So the regulations need to be worked on. The government needs to be supportive.