Mr. Amit Gossain, EVP - Sales, Marketing and Business Development, JCB India

A Plenary Operational Training by JCB

In an interaction with Built Expressions, Mr. Amit Gossain, EVP-Sales, Markeitng and Business Development, JCB India insists on the government, industry and OEMs to come together to initiate training programs which would help the construction equipment industry’s growing demand on skilled workforce.

BE: What are the innovations happening in the construction equipment sector to reduce the impact on natural environment?

JCB has constantly pushed the boundaries in research and development to provide the best to its customers. The Indian Construction Equipment sector has undergone several technological reforms as customers now prefer fuel efficient and safe machines. JCB machines now come with the JCB ecoMAX engine – the most fuel efficient engine in its class which conforms to BS III norms and is manufactured by JCB in India. Available in the range of 76hp to 175hp, JCB ecoMAX engines are environment-friendly with low noise and vibration.

For instance, 3DX Backhoe loader, JCB’s flagship product provides fuel saving worth Rs 2.6 lacs in a year and the recently launched JS120 – the most fuel efficient 12T tracked excavator saves fuel worth Rs. 8 lacs in four years.

In the Wheel Loader segment, 430 ZX Plus - the most reliable and fuel efficient wheel loader saves fuel worth Rs. 1.50 lacs in 3 years.

Moreover, JCB’s commitment to environmental responsibility begins inside the plant. Our engine assembly is equipped with no fault forward concept with full visual and in process control. Our initiatives in waste water recycling and solar lighting are first of its kind in the industry.

BE: In what way according to you, construction mechanization can optimize productivity and probably is the only solution to encounter the skill shortage?

Availability of skilled manpower for construction equipment is becoming a challenge in India. According to a latest report released by A T Kearney, a potential shortage of around 20 percent anticipated by 2015 and if the industry grows as predicted, the gap could widen to 30 percent by 2020.

The manpower shortage has created a potentially vast opportunity for Construction Equipment industry. Our machines help in faster and accurate completion of projects so that the infrastructure needs of the country can be met on time. However, complete mechanization is not the only solution to meet the shortage of skilled labor as we need skilled people to operate the machines.

The need of the hour is for government to initiate training programs which will help us meet the growing demand. The government, industry and OEMs need to come together and address this issue.

Currently, JCB along with its dealer network has set up 15 fully functional Operational Training Centres across India and have trained over 22000 candidates as operators till date, thus creating livelihood for many. Many of these operators, with their entrepreneurial spirit, invested in JCB machines and are today proud owners. In fact many operator turned owners today own fleets of JCB machines and have become successful contractors.

BE: As leaders in the field, can you briefly describe the range of products and services you offer, being segment specific?

Over the years, JCB has developed a happy base of customers by introducing technologically advanced products. Today, JCB India offers an extensive range of 26 variants in 7 product lines - Backhoe Loaders, Wheeled Loaders, Excavators, Skid Steer loaders, Telehandlers, Compactors and Pick-&-Carry Cranes.

Our backhoe loader, 3DX - the flagship product of JCB - remains the most widely used product in Indian construction site. JCB India recently launched two new product lines – the Loadall - Telehandler & the Robot - Skid Steer Loader.

JCB has the largest distribution network led with 60 dealers and over 600 outlets operating in India who ensuring that unmatched support is provided in case of any breakdown.

JCB has strategically set-up large warehouses across India (Pune, Chennai, Faridabad and Kolkata) to cater to our large dealer base. These warehouses provide JCB dealers with easy access to all the parts of the machine and most importantly, radically help in reducing the machine downtime.

BE: How do you analyze the growth of construction industry in the last five years in the frame work of construction equipment market?

The economic slowdown has impacted the Indian construction equipment industry over the last two years. According to the “Off Highway Research” – After the global economic crisis hit the Indian market in 2008, the Construction Equipment industry witnessed a further drop of 11% in 2009. However, the market recovered strongly with growth of 45 per cent in 2010 and 22 per cent in 2011, when it peaked at 72,197 units. Sales could not be sustained at this level and declined by eight per cent in 2012 and further by 15 per cent in 2013 to settle at 55,946 units.

Government's renewed impetus on infrastructure; the construction equipment industry is now poised for tremendous growth. Post the 2014 general elections, there is an expected economic resurgence which will boost the urbanization of India, as the government has granted new infrastructure projects and is allowing huge investments in infrastructure industry.