PV Ramdev, MD, Everest Engineering Equipment Pvt. Ltd. in an interview with B2B Purchase, is talking about their successful product launches at the Excon exhibition and ambitious future plans to expand their business into manufacturing in India. 

Can you talk about your participation and the products showcased at CII Excon?

We have launched two new products at the CII Excon exhibition. One is the passenger hoist. The GJJ passenger hoist is world-famous, and we always exhibit these products. Normally our standard hoist is with a 3.2-metre-long cage, but this time we introduced a 3.6-metrelong cage without any changes to other specifications. This hoist is equipped with a SEW Germany mechanism and includes Siemens Germany VFD and PLC, Schmersal Germany limit switches, and all the safety features which are required for any construction project in the world.

Another product that we launched is the CNC stirrup bender. Many customers witnessed the live demo of producing various types of stirrups, like circles, squares, or rectangles. Any shape you can programme in this and make a very fast production line. It can produce about 16 to 18 tonnes of stirrups within 24 hours. So, this particular machine can feed up to 12 diameter rebar coils, single rode or double rode, according to customer requirements. It can be programmed.

What’s new about GJJ Passenger Hoists?

You will also see different speeds according to the customer requirement and the height of the buildings. In particular, this one is the slowest speed at 46 metres per minute. We used only 2×11 (22) kilowatt motors to achieve this speed. This speed can be achieved even at a full load of two tonnes. There is no reduction in the speed. This always saves significant electricity consumption. Approximately ₹4-5 lakh worth of electricity can be saved every year. Even though the price is above average, the average life of these products is about 25 years. Many corporate customers and contractors have opted to use GJJ because of its lifespan, trouble-free operation, highest safety and reliability of this product. Luckily, one of the customers from Bangalore, MAIA Estate LLP, booked this product while it was on display at Excon. They actually need three hoists for one of their ultra-luxury projects coming up in the heart of Bangalore. This particular host will be going to their site.

How is the CNC rebar processing machine a unique launch?

This machine can handle any make of rebar, whether it is Tata, Jsw or local brand, and the strength is very high. There is an quick rebar diameter change over system as well. When you use a conventional machine, it takes 5-6 hours to set up the rollers from one diameter to another. Here there is an automated roller change over system. It will take hardly 15-20 minutes to change the setting from one rod to another. We have designed this machine according to Indian conditions like the higher hardness as well as the diameter differences. All these have been taken care of in this machine. We have gotten more than 100 inquiries so far from the expo

How is your R & D initiative contributing to your business?

In fact, we started an R&D centre last year with the leadership of a 22 years experienced General manager and five to six engineering professionals. Currently, we are concentrating on the passenger hoist manufacturing that are about to come up in India. We will be producing the same GJJ passenger hoists in India with the global standard quality and are looking for some new customised options as well, which will be acceptable not only to Indian customers but to the global market as well. You can expect Indian-made GJJ hoists in a couple of years.

Can you also update me on the tower crane Anticollision systems? 

We are also promoting tower crane anticollision systems. We already displayed this system at Excon, and it was a big hit; we’ve sold over 500 units in India so far, to the companies like L&T, JMC Projects, Capacite Infra Projects, Tata Projects, Sobha dev., India bulls, BE Billimorea, BG Shirke, BL Kashyap and most of the major contractors. Anticollision systems are mandatory for every project where multiple cranes are working. Nowadays, almost everybody is using anti-collision systems. This has been proven in the market from 2015 onwards. 

What new launches are in the pipeline?

 We have brought a very good product brand HCR, a government company from China, that primarily deals into launchers, straddle carriers and self-propelled modular transporters like multi-axle trolleys starting from 100 tonnes to 3000 tonnes which may be required for the metro construction, various bridges construction, high-speed railway construction etc.