In line with its motto – to be close to its customer proximity, Haulotte in India has been based as a subsidiary, according to Souma Ray, Director, Haulotte India Pvt Ltd.

Please talk about your offerings at bauma CONEXPO INDIA 2018.
For CONEXPO INDIA 2018 we had showcased the new PULSEO Generation HA20LE PRO Electric Rough Terrain Articulating Boom. Besides that we had our HA15IP Electric articulated boom which is a very popular model in India both in end user and rental segment. We also had our Star 6 Picking which is vertical mast and the Optimum 8 electric scissor. Basically, the focus that we have given this year is on our electric range of machines.

How has 2018 been in terms of performance of your product range?
2018 has been one of our best years and we are thankful to our customers to have put their faith in Haulotte products and our commitment towards them. As you know, Haulotte is a full range manufacturer, and in 2018 we have seen strong growth across variants and models.

How do you see the access equipment segment in terms of technology and cost-efficiency?
Technology wise, access equipment is continuously evolving and what you see today in our new PULSEO GENERATION HA20LE PRO, is something that has been introduced by us to change the future. The PULSEO Generation has undergone a lot of R&D at our end and considering the confidence that we have on this product, we are giving a five-year warranty, which till date is unparalleled by our competitors. There is no Access Equipment in the market from our competition that gives you that long warranty in this segment. On cost-effectiveness, we have the same machine which can work both indoor and outdoor, thus removing the need to have two machines to work during construction phase and later once the project is completed and commissioned. Further it also reduces the Total Cost of Ownership and being Electric the operation and maintenance costs are substantially lower than a diesel machine.

Do you think the Indian market is more accepting of such technologies?
During INTERMAT 2018 exhibition in Paris in April 2018 when our PULSEO GENERATION HA20LE PRO was unveiled to the world, it was a huge success. Since at Haulotte all our developments take into account the needs of our customer and we take their feedbacks whilst we develop a new machine, HA20LE PRO is a result of such inputs from our esteemed customers worldwide. A rental company, who, end of the day, look at their return of investment were pretty happy with what the HA20LE PRO offers to them. Even our close Rental Customer and partner over many years SHAKTI EQUIPMENTS PVT. LTD. who were present as our guest at INTERMAT 2018 were the first ones to lock in their order for the first set of 2 machines, thus reinforcing the fact that India is becoming more and more open for such technologies now.

What are the major challenges of increasing access equipment usage?
In access equipment, the biggest problem is we do not have any kind of legislation in the country. In developed countries, there is legislation where you cannot work at heights more than 3 metres without using an Access Equipment, however in India, it is not so since we don’t have such binding laws related to working at heights. The second challenge is that we have uninhibited import of used equipment in any age and condition sometimes past it’s serviceable life that definitely needs government’s attention. There is a definite need of regulating imports of machines beyond a certain age. Today the Access Equipment Industry in China is thriving because there is ban in import of used machines which in turn propel the growth of domestically produced as well as imported equipment.

Is technology a major challenge in India?
If we look at India, today we have th best of technology available, be it in Passenger Cars, Commercial vehicles and same is the case with equipment. We are no longer averse to accept new technologies. Awareness has increased across sectors and today both industry and common man know about the advantages of new technology. Unfortunately for the Access Equipment Industry in India, the awareness and growth has been there but a lot is left to be achieved. We are at the Tipping Point of substantial growth to set in, however to make that happen it is essential that the government steps in and makes it mandatory to use such equipment while working at heights. The sooner it is done, we shall all witness an exponential growth in the Access Equipment industry in India.

How much growth are you anticipating in this segment in India?
The total growth this year is more than 167 per cent both in terms of new and used equipment imported in the country. Certainly, it very hard to say in an immature market, things may go up.

What’s your outlook for 2019?
We are positive about the upcoming year, but it is a year of elections. So, we have to wait and see how things shape up. We hope that the momentum that increased substantially in 2018 shall sustain in 2019 and beyond.

We have uninhibited import of used equipment in any age and condition sometimes past it’s serviceable life that definitely needs government’s attention.
Souma Ray, Director, Haulotte India Pvt Ltd