Atmanirbhar Bharat is a good opportunity for our sector to attract the best technology and investment for local production at local cost, it will also help in eliminating cheap imports and undercutting of local manufacturers says Daniel Vanak, Managing Director, Vanjax Sales Pvt Ltd.

How do you see Atmanirbhar Bharat to impact your sector?
Atmanirbhar Bharat is a good opportunity for our sector to attract the best technology and investment for local production at local cost. Moreover, it would help eliminate the cheap imports and undercutting of local manufacturers. This will bring about a level playing field.

In terms of market dynamics, what will be the new state of the affair after 2020?
The market is already working towards gaining the lost ground and there is tremendous dynamics in the making to propel the industries and infrastructure development. However the various external variables being faced by our country today makes it difficult to make any prediction. MSMEs should focus on optimizing their workflows to ensure efficiency and reduction of waste.

How will the pandemic impact the R&D for the development of future access equipment? What kind of additional features may be sought?
Pandemic impact- gathering of large labour group in one place, dependence on conventional tools, previous cheap labour/ scaffolding methods used to access work areas would be replaced with technologically advanced methods with lower involvement of large labour forces. This will allow a huge change in the mindset of planners to budget for mechanised means for achieving their objectives. As far as additional features are concerned in Indian context, we need to make all such access equipment as multiple applications through a single machine by introducing attachments to the core purpose.This applies to several sectors like construction agriculture, power sector, ports, railways etc.

What kind of initiatives should the government focus on to ensure the construction and infrastructure sector remains in robust health?
Safety of men & material is the first consideration besides timeline which should be the guiding principles for all contracts. The government can definitely help by ensuring that work at heights must be through proper equipment and dependency on archaic means are done away with along with focus on age of equipment specially for second hand products.

What are some of the products driving growth for your business in the current economic cycle? Truck mounted aerial access platforms, self-propelled scissors lift and hydraulic aluminium telescopic mast are our growth generators.

What are the equipment financing options and technology support you have made available for your customers?
Currently several options for equipment financing is available with several NBFCs, one of the major being, Cholamandalam. Compulsory training modules, well-staffed after sales service and constant follow up on feedback has allowed us to keep abreast with customers’ needs and demands, allowing us to constantly upgrade to ensure we are a step ahead.