We are confident that Simpson will be a quality supplier not only in India but from Asia Pacific to compete with international engine suppliers in construction equipment segment.

Senthil Kumar,GM – Marketing, Simpson & Co. Ltd.

From providing world-class, cost-effective solutions to developing alternate fuel based engines – Simpson is all set to flourish in global markets.  Excerpts from an interview with R. Senthil Kumar, GM – Marketing, Simpson & Co. Ltd.

Are you prepared to meet the next level of emission norms?

Simpsons is perhaps one of the oldest business establishments in the country, with origins dating back to 1840. We started manufacturing diesel engines in 1950s. Whatever products required for tractor and construction equipment we have been supporting to the Indian market. Some of the equipment are going for global markets like tractor engines are supplied to North American and European markets.

As stringent TREM4 and BS4 CEV emission norms coming into effect for above 50 HP engines in 2020 and less than 50 HP engines in 2023, we are geared up to meet the transition. Since we are offering products for global markets, it becomes easier for us to meet the Indian emissions norms to comply with.

Did you showcase any such product at EXCON?

In EXCON 2017, we displayed our common rail engine that has capability to meet Tier 4 Final and EU Stage 5 emission norms which all European markets are working for. So, we have displayed here our 3-cylinder engine, common drive having 2.7-litre displacement which is certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

We have also displayed our 75 HP, 4-cylinder, 3.6-litre displacement engine which goes into material handling equipment like forklifts, pick-and-carry cranes, loaders and earthmoving equipment. It also goes for power generations. We are upgrading this engine with another variant in the family 3.7-litre which will go from 75 to 120 HP.

In a nutshell, Simpson will have common rail engines from 45 to 120 HP for upcoming emission norms BS4CEV, TREM4 for tractor, Tier 4 Final for global markets, EU Stage 5 standard for European markets.

How do you deal with the competitions?

We offer quality solutions competing with western engine manufacturers at very competitive pricing. Today, competition is mainly from Japan, China and North America. However, our products are well-accepted across international markets and designed to meet the next emission levels. We are confident that Simpson will be a quality supplier not only in India but from Asia Pacific to compete with international engine suppliers in construction equipment segment. At EXCON, a lot of OEMs from India as well as global markets have expressed interest in our engines.

Finally, are green shoots visible in the industry?

After 2008, the construction industry has gone through lots of upward and downward trends. Of late, the government has started initiatives like smart cities and road construction which will be converted in to business opportunity by construction equipment industry. Being the main supplier for their prime mover requirement, we are also expecting to convert this in to improvement in our business not only with respect to the opportunities but with also in terms of complying with the emission norms. Put together as a technology player we are expecting significant growth in our products particularly in common drive in upcoming years not only in Indian markets but globally. We are in discussion with Manitou Group for supplying of engines for their earthmoving and material handling business.

Organisations and companies across the world are moving from non-fossil fuels to renewable. How do you see Simpson’s future in that?

The government is putting lots of emphasis on switching over to the products which are eco-friendly, and it is also committed to run electric vehicles on Indian roads by 2030. Simpson is working on alternate fuels namely Dimethyl Ethel Engine (DME) which will have less emission. Our engineering team has been chosen as a partner with the government to develop alternate fuel in engine. So, we are working on Dymethyl fuel which will be tested in another 18 months’ time and our engines will be upgraded to adapt that fuel to support government’s green initiative movement.