“We see our company as one of the leaders in access equipment industry having one stop solutions be it new, used or on rent,” says Ketan Patel, Director, Maco Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd.
Maco Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd. offers wide range of access equipment in India. In an interview with B2B Purchase, Ketan Patel talks on the industry trends and his strategies.
Could you brief us on the Maco’s expertise in access equipment sector? Maco began selling Genie range of access equipment in India from 2004 and made it the biggest brand in the end user segment. Since then, we have sold more than 700 equipment and still going strong. It is the aggressive marketing strategy, hard-work by the team and uncompromising customer service we render to our customers that makes it the most preferred choice when it comes to select access platform or MEWP for a job.
We also provide various solutions as and when required to our customers by offering them spider platforms, easily installable and portable powered ladders etc.   What are the access equipment and solutions you offer? We primarily offer the Genie brand of machines and also Platform Basket, S.r.l., Italy range of spider lifts wherever a Genie machine cannot suffice the purpose. As regards to solutions, we offer new, used, rentals, AMC’s – basically almost everything under one roof.
In Genie, we have the aerial work platform (AC- and DC-powered), scissor lifts (battery and diesel), articulating boom lifts (battery and diesel), telescopic boom lifts, trailer-mounted booms, telehandlers and lighting towers.
We have Genie machines that can carry single person upto the height of 14 metres (AWP). We also have machines that can carry two or more people from 6 metres to the height of 56.69 metres. This is the highest boom in the world.
We have Genie scissor lifts which can carry upto 1.1 tonne of load. These scissor lifts have been acknowledged as the best in the industry. In the Platforms Basket, Italy range we have spider platforms which can go upto the height of 30 metres.
Could you enlighten us on your most advanced technologies in access equipment sector? Technological advancement in the access equipment sector has come as more safety to the operator and Genie as always has come up with the most awarded solution.
Firstly, Genie’s recent innovation has been the OPS Guard (Operators Protective Structure) which is patented and proven to be the best. Genie has won three LLEAP gold awards for Genie ZX-135 articulating boom, Genie OPS and Genie GTH-1544 telehandler.
Secondly, the X Chassis which allows the biggest booms to be transported in the normal trailers allowing huge saving to rentals companies and machines owners on account of logistics and manoeuvring at site
How do you see the acceptance of such technologies in Indian market? This is an acknowledged concept in the Indian market, however due to insufficient legislation their visibility is reduced to projects where MNCs or reputed construction companies are involved. But we expect to see a change in the scenario soon as there are companies like ours are working hard to bring in such norms.
More than 700 machines which we have sold are to the companies across industries like shipbuilding, hotels, automation, railways, aviation, power generation and distribution.
How does the access equipment industry view the ongoing slowdown and delays in infra projects? Access equipment remains a capital purchase. However the presence of rental companies is offering the customers an alternative and cheaper option. This allows the companies into infra projects to rent rather than make large investment in purchase. The slowdown has surely its effects but this is a changing phase and is bound to improve in the coming months.
How the market is going to be evolved in the coming years? The markets across the world for access equipment have been predominantly a rental sector product. In India too we see more companies coming into the rental of access platforms. Today anybody with a machine can rent at whatever rate he wants where machine quality is not monitored and there is no evaluation of the operator’s capabilities. In future, we hope to see the market only for organised companies who will rent out quality machines with trained operators within a transparent business environment.         In current scenario, what is the most preferred option for a customer amongst buying and renting? For manufacturing companies or a company with a 24 x 7 maintenance team, buying is the best option as they will own the machine and can use the same as and when required.  Also, they will be assured of the health of the machine or compliance with the company policies.
For an infrastructure company, PEB project developer, EPC contractor or any company into execution of projects, rental is the best option as their business depends on getting contracts. Buying a machine and keeping it idle in the yard till they get a contract may not be feasible. Further they do not have to employ trained manpower to maintain the machine/s or invest into inventory of spares and consumables etc.
Where do you see Maco in the next 5 years — product wise and business wise?We see our company as one of the leaders in access equipment industry having one stop solutions be it new, used or on rent.