Surat Mehta, Business Head, SDLG India with an interview with B2B Purchase

SDLG’s show-stopper at Excon was our L975 F, a 7-tonne wheel loader that is cost-effective for heavyduty applications. The L975F is a cuttingedge machine that will benefit the Indian construction and mining industries significantly. Surat Mehta, Business Head, SDLG India adds, “I also see a significant opportunity for widespread implementation of this product.”

SDLG road construction equipment at display

Apart from the showstopper product, at display, we also had SDLG range of excavators in the 8 tonne and 13 tonne category, along with our wide range of various. Other products exhibited during the event were our evergreen L936H, which is a 3.5 Tonne CEV IV compliant Wheel Loader and a 12 tonne Motor Grader which is a very accepted product in the market.

Smart features and their industrial applications

Every product has a wide range of applications. Wheel loaders are commonly found in crushers, wagon loading areas, mining sites, and general material handling at ports and factories. We customise various bucket classes for various applications. Aside from that, we had an engine technology transition in mid-2021, when we migrated to CEV IV emission norms, which were already market-accepted.

We are constantly working on improving the machine efficiency every passing day. So, the material handled per litre of fuel consumed keeps improving. We are also working to make operations more comfortable & safe for the operators. So, we concentrate on ergonomics and operator safety.

Training and development for operators

To provide such services, our service engineers must be closer to the customer. We have 112 touch points across the country, with the goal of having at least one surface engineer every 200 kilometres and easy access to all required parts. In the event of a breakdown, the parts will be delivered within 24 hours to the customer’s designated location.

The second aspect is that we provide our customers with comfort and peace of mind by offering products with 8000–10,000 hours of repair and maintenance agreements. Our engineers work on-site so that customers can concentrate on using the machine and getting the best results possible.

Digitalisation in facility and processes 

Manufacturing processes have been digitalised for a long time. The customer interface is now being digitalised. Many customers now prefer to interact with our salespeople via digital means. As a result, efficiency improves and lead time decreases. We close deals via Zoom and deliver the product to customers. We are currently developing an e-commerce platform. As a result, the parts can be ordered directly online, and customers do not need to visit our warehouses. We now heavily rely on social media to educate customers about features and offerings. As a result, we can provide customers with a near-physical experience.

Project areas for new product applications

 Road construction would be a major driver, as it is at an all-time high in the country. Other areas include irrigation, river linking projects, port activities, and cargo handling. Despite challenges, the mining industry has been an evergreen industry that has grown. Another area on which we intend to concentrate is solid waste management and scrap handling. Scrap will become a new opportunity for the construction industry as a result of the government of India’s new scrappage policy.

Impacts of metal prices

 Currently, we are bearing the majority of the cost and passing a small increase on to the customer. However, once it reaches a plateau, we can stabilise, making it a win-win situation for both us and our clients. The contractor’s prices will rise with the passage of time. They will have a greater ability to pay if they continue to earn better rates.

Supply chain challenges

 The freight prices have increased by eight to nine times in the last few years. We will incur higher costs as a result of this. Although there were small supply problems, we were nimble enough to plan ahead of time to meet the rising demand.

Investments and prospects

 We place a high value on research and development. We currently manufacture at our, Linyi factory, which also houses a significant research and development centre. As the market is maturing, we have plans to put up a manufacturing facility in India.

 This year’s revenue is expected to be 10 to 15 percent greater than the previous calendar year. In all segments, we would see an increase in our market share. We predict the market to continue to develop in 2023, but we expect a minor decline in 2024, owing to general elections. If political stability is maintained, 2025 will be a year of tremendous growth.