Our production facility for Forest Press Machines in India is expected to be inaugurated by April 2018.

Manoj Pillai, Managing Director, Forest Press Machines

What is there at your stall which is new for customers?

Forest Press has participated at EXCON for the first time and tried to create a brand image in the Indian market. Besides, we have launched the Forest Press Block Master Series. The machine is designed with smaller board size suits to the entry level markets with high quality products in affordable price. The model BM 4 could produce 5,000 blocks or 17,500 pavers or fly ash bricks per shift with 5 employees.

We have also introduced Forest Universal Tile Press with four stations including coloured face concrete and bottom standard one. The base with rubber or filter option allows various texture formats. This machine is able to produce all types of interlocking pavers, terrazzo tiles and flag tiles.

Mega Star Planetary Mixers in different capacities with complete batching plant includes colour dosing, flying bucket and travel-weigh system is new in India.

Apart from the existing Single Station Wet Press the new Triple Station and Five Station machines will add up shortly to Indian market.

What is the capacity of Block Master Series machines?

The entry level model BM 4 is capable to produce 5,000 blocks or 17,500 pavers fly ash bricks per shift with 5 employees whereas the model BM 9 can produce up to 15,000 blocks or 50,000 pavers or fly ash bricks per shift. These machines are offered with standard as well as customised options suits to the project requirement. These machines are designed with plug-and-play solution to reduce the installation time at site. All the machines will assemble and test in our factory before dispatch.

Are you going to launch any other product?

We feel that the market condition is improving now and would like to come out with new products. We would soon come up with Mini Press as well as Five Station Press that are well-known for the production of high density kerb stones, slabs, flag tiles in various dimensions and finishes. We have already launched these products in UK but in India very surely it will be available in couple of months.

How positive is the market scenario now?

The government’s decision to impose anti-dumping duty on several imported items has come as a blessing for the industry. Also, the initiative like ‘Make in India’ is a positive movement towards encouraging domestic manufacturing. Most importantly, as the construction industry is maturing, the demand for high-end products and technology is ever-increasing. GST and related single tax help to save the time at border check posts and 2018 looks very positive.

The government is giving emphasis on developing concrete roads and many have raised voice against this. How do you see that?

We need to understand the ground realities. In India, we generate lots of fly ash from coal-based thermal power generation. We consume this fly ash to produce cement. Therefore, cement-based concrete roads are encouraged to give a sustainable growth to the cement sector. Also, climatic conditions of some parts of the country demand concrete roads. Therefore, we need to use the most suitable technology for a project and of course should be cost effective too.

How many machines you have supplied from India?

We have supplied three machines to Nepal, four to Iran, two to Bahrain, one to Qatar and approximately 9 in India. Couple of projects coming in other parts of the country. So, all together two dozen machines in two years.

What is the status of your upcoming plant?

Our production facility for Forest Press Machines in India is expected to be inaugurated by April 2018. This facility located near to Electronic city which covers a production area of 60,000 sq. ft. This will be equipped with 6 EOT cranes, robotic welding, and machining as well as completely automated handling systems.

We would like to manufacture all the models in addition to some precast machines.