Our machines, with their most advanced design and technology, are known for setting new benchmarks in the industry.
Jasmeet Singh, Head – Corporate Communications and External Relations,
JCB India

Over the last few years, the competition has dramatically increased in the earthmoving and construction equipment market in India. However, Jasmeet Singh, Head – Corporate Communications and External Relations, JCB India believes that competition is always healthy in any industry as it leads to more choices for the customers and also improves the product offering in terms of technology and value. Interview excerpts:

What is your assessment on the earthmoving and construction equipment (ECE) industry in India? Is it back on track? What is the future outlook?
The earthmoving and construction equipment market has seen a considerable increase of about 43 per cent in the year 2016 and still continues to grow. This growth, as we know, is primarily driven by the roads and highways closely followed by key sectors such as railways, irrigation, mining, affordable housing etc.

The government’s focused approach towards the sector coupled with significant allocation in successive budgets has played a pivotal role in the revival of the industry after a four years downturn from 2011 to 2015. This growth in the sector needs to be sustained and a lot depends on the execution of the projects that are being announced across sectors.

Looking at the investments that have been committed by the government for the infrastructure sector, we are hopeful of a positive growth trend in this segment.

Many MNCs have entered and strengthened their presence in Indian market during the past few years, hence the competition has increased. Does competition bother you?
Competition is always healthy in any industry as it leads to more choices for the customers and also improves the product offering in terms of technology and value. As you rightly said, competition has increased over the last few years as all the major players of the industry are strengthening their presence in India and capitalising on the opportunity it presents.

However, JCB has remained a preferred choice for earthmoving and construction equipment in India for over four decades now. Our machines, with their most advanced design and technology, are known for setting new benchmarks in the industry. For instance, we are the first manufacturer to have an inbuilt compaction metre in our range of compactors which helps achieve the desired compaction in minimum number of passes. Similarly, our Skid Steer Loaders are the safest in the world with a side door entry.

To ensure that we always stay ahead of the curve, we have also established a robust Design Centre in Pune where 400 engineers continually work on new product designs and on upgrading the existing product designs.

All our products are manufactured on the ‘One Global Quality’ philosophy which means machines manufactured in India are at par with the products in the developed countries and can be used in any part of the world. Presently, over 2,40,000 JCB machines are successfully working across the country.

What will be the technological marvels in construction equipment in the coming decade?
We are seeing a technological revolution in our industry with the advent of Internet of Things (IoT) and JCB has pioneered the use of IoT through its Advanced Telematics Technology “Livelink”. It enables our customers to remotely manage their machines. Over 40,000 JCB Livelink enabled machines are working successfully in India.

This state-of-the-art technology enables users to get SMS alerts on their mobile phones or smart devices regarding service alerts, operations and security of their machines. The information is available in real time regarding the health of the machine including engines. It gives vital information to the customer in terms of no. of hours the machine has been operational, service intervals, fuel levels, malfunctions if any, etc.

Livelink technology in JCB machines would benefit our customers in better management of their machines which would lead to better expense management and timely completion of work. JCB Livelink is a feature which has the potential to change the way Indian Construction Machinery Customer operates.

To monitor these machines in real time, we have set up a world-class command centre at our Ballabgarh facility. Our dealerships have also set up similar Livelink command centres to ensure that real time support is provided to the customers.