Experienced local sales and service network, along with our easily available local spare parts, moulds and training facilities, provide unmatched world-class support locally.

Columbia Machine Engineering is one of the leading concrete manufacturing companies that produces high density concrete products. We chat up with Vijay Kumbhani, Director, Columbia Machine Engineering (I) Pvt Ltd who talks on procurement related issues and about the future of concrete equipment industry.

Range of products for the industry
“We have recently launched the Columbia Vacuum Wet Press CWP4S, which is used to produce high density concrete products such as kerbstones, paving slabs, drain covers and channels. It gives high quality surface finish with low water absorption. Later this year we will be expanding our concrete
block machinery range by launching a completely new machine made in India, the Model SPM30, with capacity larger than our existing Model SPM20 machine,” says Kumbhani.

 The company claims that this will drastically reduce manpower required while improving quality and efficiency at affordable costs. We now also offer a very large capacity, fully automated, high technology Concrete Block Plant made in Poland by Techmatik (a Columbia company). Further we will step up marketing of high technology Case Palletizers which are used for end-of-line automation in packaging. The Palletizers will be made in India with Columbia technology,” he adds.
Why Columbia?
Speaking on what makes Columbia special in the area of concrete, Kumbhani says, “Columbia Machine is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of concrete products equipment, serving customers in over 100 countries. From mixing and batching to automatic cubing and splitting, Columbia builds a complete line of equipment to outfit entire concrete products plant.”

He further explained, “We pioneered the first semi-automatic, hydraulically operated block machine over 75 years ago with the unique Columbia Vibration Technology (CVT). Today, with over 15 years of local manufacturing at Vadodara in Gujarat, we offer the most versatile, innovative concrete products equipment in the industry. In India, our existing concrete product machine Model SPM20 provides our customers a plant with an ideal combination of a high technology machine with medium capacity and low investment in pallet and product handling. Its simplicity and ease of installation or dismantling makes it an ideal solution for project works. The Model SPM20 can be used to produce a wide range of high quality concrete products such as hollow blocks, paver blocks, retaining wall blocks, fly ash bricks and kerbstones. All these features have provided substantial profits and quick payback on investment to over 200 users in India alone.“

Kumbhani claims that no other concrete products equipment supplier can match the versatility, economy and quality of Columbia. “The experienced local sales and service network, along with our easily available local spare parts, moulds and training facilities, provide unmatched world-class support locally. Our team of experienced engineers can design a plant to fit local production needs as well as provide installation support and training for plant personnel,” he says.

Innovations
Concluding on the innovations that are done in this domain, Kumbhani feels that there is not much innovation in the technology that is concerned. “However, there are innovations that are done in the after-processes for the products manufactured by our machines,” he sums up.