Anil Bhatia, Director Sales and Marketing, Case New Holland Construction Equipment India (Case India), shares why he is still ambitious about the long-term growth prospect of construction equipment sectorIndia being a developing country has a huge potential in terms of infrastructure development. So where do you see earthmoving equipment market in India in coming years?The market growth year-over-year between 2012 and 2013 has been almost minimal due to high interest rates and problems faced in land acquisition. Due to clearing of land acquisition projects and decreased interest rates the infrastructure projects have taken up coherent growth. Government plans to invest around $1 trillion in the 12th Five-Year Plan to meet the ambitious growth target of nation. Considering this, we feel the long-term growth prospect for the construction equipment sector is still positive.What kind of competition you face in this market?The scenario has changed in the recent years with more number of players entering the market. There are more than nine other players in the backhoe loader market and more than seven players in vibratory compactor scenario. The new entrants keep the more established players on their toes.What are the different types of earthmoving equipment you offer and their specialty?Case has recently launched the upgraded version of 752 vibratory compactor. The 9-tonne Case 752 vibratory compactor will benefit customers with the engine’s longer life and higher fuel efficiency.We are also the 2nd player in the backhoe loader segment. Case has a long tradition in this product line. It introduced the industry’s 1st factory integrated backhoe loader available from a single manufacturer back in 1957. Case backhoe loaders manufactured in Pithampur represent a point of reference for customers in terms of productivity and low costs of operations.The new F Series wheel loader offers Indian customers fast acceleration, performing cycle times, high travel speeds and productivity, together with reduced fuel consumption. The F Series loaders are powered by fuel-efficient diesel engines, with improved programmable power modes while the comfortable cab environment reduces operator fatigue, increasing productivity.Case 851 backhoe loader in 96 hp category has dual-stage pump with load-sensing system which results in higher productivity with fuel efficiency. The 4-wheel drive version of this model has gained good acceptance in tough hilly terrain of North East and Nepal due to higher wheel torque and force.What kind of innovations are you making in your product?In Case, we are focusing more on fuel-efficient technology, operators comfort and low emission measures. Our F Series wheel loaders and B Series motor graders are fitted with FPT 6.7-litre engines. These engines are equipped with CRD (Common Rail Diesel) injection system and EDC (Electronic Diesel Control system) systems.Currently, the engines in loader backhoes are with according to the norms of BS III. We have incorporated the optimum engine working temperatures to minimise the emission. These engines are fitted with high pressure, rotary type fuel injections, IEGR, turbocharger and heavy-duty silencers to keep the emissions low. For the better fuel consumptions, we have opted for engines which produce the better torque at optimum engine speeds.The vibratory compactors are fitted with BS III emission norm engines. Like the backhoe loader engines, these engines are also fitted with the high pressure, rotary fuel injection systems. These engines are equipped with both IEGR and EEGR to keep the hazard emissions to bear minimum. Apart from the EGR mechanism, these engines are equipped with turbocharger waste gate control mechanisms.What kind of engines do you prefer for your earthmoving equipment and why?Engine being the heart of the machine is one of the most important components in the machine. There has been a recent shift to water-cooled engines from air-cooled engines with lower operating temperatures and better fuel efficiency. The focus of the engine in earthmoving equipment is lower fuel consumption, robust built, and low operating cost for high economy and best performance.What is your market share currently? Are you expecting any increase in the same?Let’s go back to 2011 April, when Case acquired a 100 per cent stake in its joint venture. We made a commitment to the market, our customers and to our stakeholders that we are going to be a full liner and become a one-stop solution for our customers. We started investing heavily in the Indian market in the year 2011. In the past 9 months, we made an investment of $10.8 million. In 2012, we made an investment of $18.9 million, and this year we plan to do an investment of $24 million. That shows our commitment to the Indian market. We believe in the long-term story for India infrastructure development and the construction market. We see a huge opportunity in that.If you see the commitment we made, we started fulfilling since last year. We introduced skid steer loaders in July 2012. Here, we have launched the graders and wheel loaders. Last month we launched an upgraded version of our tandem compactor. And now we are showcasing the upgraded soil compactor out here, which we will be launching in the coming months. We have a lot more plans in terms of other product lines and other products in our portfolio which we will share with you in the coming months. The investment we have made is not only for the Indian market; we have taken the perspective of using this manufacturing facility beyond India and the SAARC region