Alok Jha Director – Sales & Marketing, India & SAARC, CASE Construction Equipment. In an Interview with B2B Purchase.

What are the products and technologies you are planning to display at Excon? 

We will be showcasing an array of products at CASE’s EXCON pavilion – OD52. These include the Loader Backhoes from our recently launched FX and EX series; our Soil, Tandem and Mini Compactors, Excavators and Dozers. We are also excited to launch a range of new equipment at the trade show including an all new 50HP Loader Backhoe and a standard variant of Excavator, BSIV compliant EX Range of TLBs and Vibratory Compactors and Graders. Additionally, we will also display our aftermarket solutions that we offer to our customers including service packages, mobile service vans, and a new e-commerce platform for buying spare parts. 

We are also looking forward to make a special announcement at the EXCON where we will be showcasing our 180 year old brand legacy and experience.

What are the key features of your products and solutions that makes it smarter and greener? 

Today’s consumer is environment conscious and at the same time they want innovative equipment for their day to day operations. We have always considered environmental and human aspects while planning and designing all our products as a part of the CASE DNA. For instance, the C-Series of our Crawler Excavators comes with advanced design and engineering for high performance. The machines offers up to 17 percent more horsepower and saves an estimated $10,000 per year from lower fuel costs and faster cycle times. 

In our recently introduced FX series of Loader Backhoes we use FPT engines, that provides powerful performance and fast response time. Boasting of a BS4 engine and class leading operator station, FX Series is a revolutionary step towards an extended care for the people and environment. The new series is powered with advanced hydraulic system along with VVP that help provide fuel savings of up to 14 percent.

All our products offer smart features that are highly focused on customer’s safety, comfort and ease of operations. Our L series of Dozers offer hydrostatic transmission that delivers traction force to each track independently, to continue to push at full power throughout the turn, giving total control for fine grading and slope works. To grant maximum versatility in all working conditions, all CASE Dozers are equipped as standard with PAT blades, supporting operators to do the job faster, easier, with more comfort, increasing the machine productivity and the capability to work in very different applications and terrains. Moreover, L series Dozers allows quick ground clearance considering easy serviceability as well as unparalleled comfort and safety. 

At a global scale, CASE is already offering sustainable technologies such as Project TETRA, a Methane-Powered Concept Wheel Loader and the CASE 580 EV, the industry’s first fully electric Loader Backhoe with zero emissions. We are working on making such advanced sustainable equipment available for the Indian market as well.

Please share what makes your products the most preferred in the segment. At CASE, we have a higher focus on catering to consumer needs and requirements and that has helped us stay relevant for our clientele. There are many features that make CASE equipment the most preferred in the segment. Our equipment are carefully designed keeping research and development at the centre and that adds value for the CASE customers.

At CASE, we ensure that our products incorporate elements like powerful performance delivery, safety, operator comfort, fuel efficiency and reliability. 

The Series C GR 865C Motor Grader, for example, equipped with the best-in-class fuel-efficient electronically regulated FPT Engine, also has an intelligent hydraulic system with a load sensor that allows operators to regulate the mold-board from the cabin, resulting in increased productivity and operator comfort. 

Similarly, CASE 2050M dozer is equipped with hydrostatic transmission that provides top-notch draw bar pull capacity. With a lower maintenance and operating cost, 2050M Dozer is best suited for tough terrain conditions especially in the mining sector. The Dozer also has features like automatic blade functions that helps the operator use the machine efficiently. 

Brief about the latest technologies and solutions you have adopted recently. How is your organisation responding to the changing client requirements?

We are dedicated to adopting latest technology and smart mechanical solutions in our products. R&D is an important element in our designing and manufacturing process. One of our equipment to benefit from superior technology is the new range of FX Series BS-IV (CEV) Compliant Loader Backhoes that is built particularly for the Indian terrain and is equipped with 66 new features. Along with the powerful and fuel efficient FPT engine, the machine also features a new generation hydraulic system. The oil change interval flows as per load and improves fuel consumption up to 14 percent. This, combined with Eco Mode and Auto Idle, enhances fuel efficiency by up to 20 percent, and reduces the operating cost by 25 percent.

The CX220 excavator, designed for the Indian terrain provides faster cycle times and increased productivity. It comes with a CASE Intelligent Hydraulic System (CIHS) that provides outstanding machine control while saving energy and fuel in all cycle time phases. Our products also come with telematics and safety control mechanisms which allows the operator to use the equipment in a more efficient, safe and comfortable manner. 

Looking at the market opportunities and the push towards infrastructural development, what plans do you have to encash the opportunities?

The last few months have been quite exciting for the construction industry as there is a definite push to build India’s infrastructure in a drive to make it the preferred global manufacturing hub. With new ambitions and large construction projects announced by the Government of India for infrastructure building, we believe that the construction and mining equipment industry will also benefit in terms of growth. As large construction projects require excavators, loaders, and other construction and mining equipment, there will definitely be increased demand for these in the upcoming months. We hope to seize this opportunity to serve new prospects as well as provide our customers with best-in-class equipment. We are ready to adapt to market demands and opportunities and are constantly working towards enhancing our products in the form of new mechanical or automated features or improving fuel efficiency and productivity in the equipment.