Page 72 - Built Expressions - Online Construction Magazine - November 2014 Issue

Industry interaction VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT Volvo’s Emphasis on Fuel Effciency Volvo Construction Equipment is operating on indian soil for the last 17 years. Ever since then, it unveils new products every two years in average. In an interaction with Built Expressions, Mr. A M Muralidharan, President, Volvo Construction Equipment says that Volvo is well equipped for the opportunities coming from, infrastructure, road and mining segments. BE: What are the innovations happening in the machines by conducting operators training and mechanical construction equipment sector to reduce the maintenance training. We have skilled operators to cater impact on natural environment? to our customers for an effcient handling of machines. All innovations in vehicle segment lead to fuel effciency To combat skill shortage in this segment, construction to achieve increased productivity. Even the construction equipment is the way out. equipment vehicles have joined the wagon. Volvo too thrusts more on improving fuel effciency for its range of BE: As leaders in the feld, can you briefy describe construction equipment and related products. Switching the range of products and service you offer, being over to electric engines could be another solution for a segment specifc? better effciency and productivity. A lot of research is on Volvo Construction Equipment’s extensive product range the go on developing hybrid machines to be used in the includes loaders, backhoes, excavators, small excavators, construction equipment that has lesser impact on the artics, forestry carriers, demolition machines, high reach environment. However, the initial cost involved upgrading demolition machines and pipelayers. We offer range of to hybrid machines than compared to the diesel engine excavators including 14 ton excavators, which is the smallest operated machines. range we have in India that goes up to larger excavators with a capacity of 70 tons. Our excavators are predominantly BE: In what according to you, construction used in road constructions, quarrying including granite mechanization can optimize productivity and quarrying, metallic and non-metallic quarrying. Volvo probably is the only solution to encounter the skill has a dedicated range of excavators and pavers for road shortage? constructions—national highways, state highways and rural Shortage of labourers is a perennial problem roads. Our bigger excavators up to 50 to 70 tons are suitable construction industry of infrastructure, real estate and for mining works. Wheel loaders and haulers cater to port individual projects are dented with hence, machines and mining segments respectively. are taking over construction workers. Digging and With the thrust given on building mega cities and smart transportation of materials are main areas where the cities by our Prime Minster, we see lot of potential for whole labour cost is high which eventually have been replaced range of products in construction equipments in the near with equipments. Fortunately, more and more products future. We expect to see usage of construction equipments are entering construction arena to replace labour. The in upcoming infrastructure projects, national highways, industry is also threatened with skill shortage in handling expanding of rivers and cleaning of lakes. There will be a construction equipment, mainly at operator level. We huge requirement from the mining segment too with an encourage construction workforce to take more on increased demand for coal production. PG 72 Built Expressions Vol: 3 Issue: 11 November 2014