JCB India remains committed to reinforce its stature as a full range infrastructure equipment provider with class-leading products that are superior in design, performance, efficiency, safety and digital technology integration.
Any discussions on the Indian CE industry will remain blatantly incomplete without taking into account JCB India Ltd.’s prominent role. With a versatile product range, indigenised supply chain for manufacturing and vibrant dealership and service network, JCB is a name to reckon with in the Indian construction and infrastructure equipment sector since its inception in 1979.
The year 2017 was remarkable for the Indian CE market in terms of product demand and growth, in spite of major disruptions, including GST. JCB India grew to the highest level last year, signifying an impressive comeback from the market lull over a long period from 2012 to 2015. The year 2018 is also unfolding as a strong one, the company claims.
Mr. Jasmeet Singh, Head – Corporate Communications and Corporate Relations, JCB India, rightly acknowledges the potential in the Indian market and also about the changing equipment buyer preferences. “Roads and highways construction is in full swing and quite reassuring for the industry, a primary growth driver in the CE market, although there is a need for demand drivers to increase in other sectors like railways, irrigation, real estate, etc.,” he observed.
Further, the revenue-neutral GST rate of 18% – after the initial 28% bracket – has resulted in a big surge in demand and created an upswing in sales of new machineries this year, complementing the organic growth. That momentum is still on, he added.
With Bauma Conexpo around the corner, he said: “2018 has been a positive year in terms of market demand and retail sales, therefore BC India is one of the ideal platforms and perfect opportunity to showcase our commitment towards our customers in bringing the best solutions possible, along with our allegiance to ‘Make in India’”.
Asked on what’s new in store for the expo, he said that JCB may bring in some exciting variants of the current product range, more likely on the lines of innovative technology and digital initiatives. “We will continue to leverage digital technology by integrating Big Data and the Internet of Things in our upcoming products and services”, he observed.
Offering complete solutions
To take advantage of buoyant road infrastructure construction in the country, JCB is offering a wide range of equipment that are world-class and technologically sophisticated, starting from general-purpose machines like backhoe loaders to large and specialised products, including tracked excavators, wheel loaders, compactors, and so on.
Lately the company has introduced an extensive range of road construction equipment, including a 11-tonne class soil compactor – the JCB116. 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, and gives vital information to the customer in terms of the number of hours the machine has been operational, service intervals, fuel levels, malfunctions, if any, etc. It thus enables better site management and equipment utilisation.
“Our vision is to evolve as a full range infrastructural solutions partner to our customers in the country”, Mr. Jasmeet Singh said while emphasising that JCB’s products are manufactured to “One Global Quality”.
“Today’s buyers are looking for not just equipment but complete solutions, where their desired task has to be done in an efficient and time-bound manner… so expect value addition in products and a full range of machines, along with vibrant technical support and service network for optimum uptime”, he noted.
Material handling equipment
Asked about the market for JCB’s world-class material handling equipment range, including Telehandlers, Skid Steer loaders and Super loaders, Mr. Singh said that an organic demand does exist, and the segment is growing gradually. “These segments are still in the early stages of emergence in India, their concepts are getting momentum and products will find more takers as the industry matures”.
JCB’s Telehandler stable has three variants – 7-metre (530-70), 11-metre (530-110) and 17-metre (540-170) lift height machines. These machines are designed for safety, productivity and versatility, for enhancing on-site safety and equipment performance. Super loaders are designed for loading applications at higher levels, for which the OEM offers two variants in India – one with 3.1m dump height and the other with 4.0m dump height.
The practicality of these products lie in the wide available option of attachments, may it be a power grab or industrial grappler, shovel, drum handler, crane hook, vibratory roller and grain bucket, to name a few. Skid steers, on the other hand, are designed for urban infrastructure and waste handling applications, where space is limited for other equipment to operate.
‘Made in India’ JCB products are exported to nearly 100 countries across the globe. Its Delhi-NCR facility is the world’s largest backhoe loader factory, catering to exports as well. The company’s Design Centre located at its Pune facility is entrusted with the development of technologies and solutions for the group.
Also, JCB India offers the largest distribution network in the industry. Since these machines work in far-flung areas of the country, it is imperative that a well-connected product support is offered to customers to minimise the downtime and maximise productivity. JCB India has ensured to provide an unmatched distribution network to its customers through 650 outlets and over 60 dealers.
This way JCB India is growing stronger in the country, both in terms of its brand influence and product range. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the company is transforming the infra construction, earthmoving and material handling industry in India.