In this exclusive interview, Arvind K Garg, Senior Vice President and Head of L&T’s Construction and Mining Machinery Business, shares insights on the new product launch, their long-standing collaboration with Komatsu, sustainability initiatives, and the future of Construction Machinery in India.

How does the Komatsu PC35 Mini Hydraulic Excavator address the challenges of urban infrastructure and specialised industries?
The Komatsu PC35 Mini Hydraulic Excavator is a versatile machine designed to meet the growing demands of urban infrastructure development and specialised industries like plantations. It is compact, easy to operate, and offers exceptional performance, making it ideal for areas with limited space where manoeuvrability is critical. It’s designed for efficiency, helping contractors deliver more with less effort.

Beyond the Mini Excavator, we are continuously expanding our range to cater to the needs of India’s infrastructure. We are focused on offering solutions across all segments and larger machines to the extent of 300 tons are also an integral part of our portfolio.

Sustainability is a growing focus for the construction and mining industries. How is L&T integrating sustainable practices into its product offerings?
Sustainability is a key driver for L&T, and we are committed to supporting the Government’s initiatives toward alternative fuels and green technologies. All the machines showcased at Bauma 2024 are B20-compliant, meaning they can operate on a blend of 20 percent ethanol in diesel. We are already exploring ways to increase this to B30 compliance, further reducing carbon emissions.

In addition to fuel compliance, we are working on hybrid machines that significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions. These hybrid technologies are the future, and we are keen to bring them to India. They not only provide environmental benefits but also economic advantages by cutting down fuel costs for customers.

L&T is well-known for its construction and mining machinery presence, but what about your involvement in crushing solutions?
L&T’s portfolio extends beyond traditional construction machinery, including a robust range of crushing and screening solutions. These products complement our existing machinery, providing customers a complete solution for their construction and mining projects. As with all our offerings, we back our crushing equipment with comprehensive after-sales service and readily available spare parts, ensuring that our customers experience minimal downtime.

Are there any new business verticals or products that L&T explores in the construction and mining sector?
We constantly evaluate the market to identify gaps and introduce new products that cater to the industry’s evolving needs. Our portfolio includes Komatsu’s Construction and Mining Equipment, Road-making Machines, Surface Miners, and Crushing Solutions. However, we see an opportunity to expand into Hybrid Machines and Electric Vehicles.

While fully electric machines are still a few years away, hybrid solutions are already gaining traction. These machines significantly reduce fuel consumption and align with the global shift toward more sustainable practices. We are actively working with Komatsu to bring these hybrid solutions to the Indian market, benefiting the environment and our customers.

You’ve mentioned “smart construction” as a trend. Could you explain how L&T is incorporating smart technology into its machines?
Smart Construction is the future of the industry. At L&T, we incorporate advanced technologies into our machines to enhance operator efficiency and project management. Our machines now come equipped with intelligent systems that provide real-time data and insights to operators, guiding them through the most efficient ways to complete tasks. This improves productivity, reduces fuel consumption, and minimises the need for on-site supervision.

For example, our smart systems help operators optimise machine usage by providing step-by-step instructions. This results in faster and more precise execution, reducing operational costs and boosting project timelines. Smart construction technologies are already in use globally, and we are bringing them to India through demonstrations and trials.

What are the key drivers for the future of construction machinery in India, especially with evolving technologies and government initiatives?
The future of Construction Machinery in India is influenced by technology, sustainability, and infrastructure development. The Government’s push toward urbanisation, the expansion of roads, railways, and metro projects, and the focus on green energy solutions are all shaping the industry.

Hybrid and alternative fuel machinery will play a significant role in this transformation. At L&T, we focus on hybrid solutions that reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. These machines offer an immediate solution to the industry’s environmental challenges. Furthermore, integrating digital and smart technologies will enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve project delivery.

How does L&T approach customer service and maintenance?
Service is a core aspect of our business. We understand Construction and Mining operations depend on uptime, so we have built an extensive service network to support our customers. Our service centres are located strategically across India, allowing us to reach even the most remote project sites.

In addition to our service network, we maintain a large spare parts inventory to minimise downtime. Our trained technicians are equipped to handle any issue quickly and effectively, ensuring our customers can rely on their machines to perform optimally. We also emphasise preventive maintenance, helping our customers maximise the lifespan and performance of their equipment.

What sets L&T apart when it comes to customer satisfaction?
We believe in building long-term partnerships with our clients by offering reliable, high-performance products and backing them with world-class service. We constantly stay in touch with our customers to understand their needs and challenges and tailor our offerings to meet these evolving requirements.

From product innovation to after-sales service, we strive to exceed expectations at every touchpoint. Our goal is to ensure that customers not only purchase our machines but also experience ongoing value throughout the equipment’s lifecycle.

L&T has had a strong partnership with Komatsu for many years. Could you elaborate on this relationship and its significance?
Our relationship with Komatsu spans over 25 years, starting with a joint venture and extending into a deeper partnership. Komatsu manufactures equipment at its Chennai facility under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, and we handle the entire post-manufacturing lifecycle — sales, distribution, service, and after-sales support.

Komatsu is a global leader in Construction and Mining Equipment, and together, we bring the latest innovations and products to the Indian market. Our partnership ensures that we offer world-class equipment, unmatched service, and parts support nationwide. Our extensive service network ensures quick response times, even in remote locations, to minimise downtime and maximise productivity.

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