Every piece of Volvo Construction Equipment sets benchmarks in safety, reliability, productivity, and fuel efficiency, says Dimitrov Krishnan, Managing Director, Volvo CE

How is the earthmoving equipment industry faring in terms of infrastructure trends?
With the government of India pushing for a quantum leap in infrastructure development over the next decade, particularly in energy, roads, ports, railways, airports, and irrigation sectors, the prospects for the construction equipment industry are brighter than ever. While the overall construction equipment market is expected to grow by 10-15 per cent this calendar year, we see next year as a “peak year” for the industry. This remark is with maximum new projects coming alive, most construction activities are in full swing and the entire ecosystem
is much better prepared to cater to the explosive growth in demand etc.

What features of Volvo CE ensures enhanced performance?
Innovation and technological advancement are at the core of Volvo Construction Equipment. From product development through production to aftermarket, we constantly seek solutions that enhance our customers’ experience with our products. The idea is to ensure our machines are environmentally friendly, work faster for longer hours, consume less fuel, and give minimum stress regarding safety and reliability.

How do you deal with the current disruptions to ensure time-bound deliveries?
Inflation and supply chain disruptions are two big challenges the construction equipment industry in India faces in the wake of the pandemic. The ready availability of raw materials and the upturn in commodity prices, especially steel and, to an extent, semiconductors, have severely increased cost pressures on manufacturers.

But because we operate in a B2B market and serve customers that are typically tender-based businesses largely reliant on government contracts, there is little or no flexibility regarding pricing and delivery timelines. So, we have to manage buffer inventories, find a way to work around shortages and plan production schedules well in advance to deliver equipment to end customers.

Workforce safety and project deadlines are two eternal challenges faced by the stakeholders in mining, construction and infrastructure projects. However, every piece of Volvo Construction Equipment sets benchmarks in safety, reliability, productivity, and fuel efficiency. So, when a customer chooses a Volvo machine for any application, he can be confident that the job, no matter how difficult, will be completed on time, within budget, and to his satisfaction.
Can you appraise our readers about your continuous innovations in the product range that uphold fuel  efficiency and productivity?
The recently launched EC550E excavator, for instance, incorporates Independent Metering Valve Technology (IMVT). This electro-hydraulic  system facilitates engine/pump optimisation so that customers save on fuel costs with no compromise on productivity. The Volvo EC 300DL Block Handler excavator features, specially toughened undercarriage components and a heavy-duty lower frame. While talking about the EC 480D excavator with Vibro Ripper shields from vibration and shock, delivering three times more productivity than breakers.

The Volvo range of road construction equipment, including compactors, pavers and pneumatic rollers, is custom-built for the Indian market  and offers operators the ultimate comfort with intuitive controls, excellent visibility, intelligent functions and ample room. The newly-upgraded Volvo H-series wheel loaders feature second-generation OptiShift technology, which renders them at least 10 per cent more  productive and 20 per cent more fuel efficient. Volvo construction equipment is capable of running on alternative fuels such as bio-diesel.  They are compliant with CEV IV emission norms.