Manufacturers and consumers of truck, trailer, tyre and allied industries, assembled at the Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, as part of the International Truck, Trailer and Tyre Expo (ITTTE) 2017 to understand, discuss and tap the evolved opportunities that the segment has to offer. Over the years, through innovations in technology and change in customer service approach, the Indian trailer industry has managed to become a lot more organized, paving way for new growth opportunities.
Gujarat is one of the most important markets for skeletal, flat bed and tip-trailers in the country. These products are in demand by a lot of transporters and companies alike. Buoyed by its strategic location, the second edition of ITTTE raised the bar for the industry players in terms of product offering and cost competitiveness, leaving buyers and sellers including transporters, fabricators and suppliers mightily impressed by the one-of-its-kind exhibition held in the State for the first time.
Organized by the Hyderabad-based B2B firm, Media Day Marketing, the exhibition was inaugurated by Mr. Vijaybhai Rupani, Gujarat Chief Minister, along with Mr. Mansukh L. Mandaviya, Minister of Transportation, Shipping & Highways, and Mr. Vallabbhai Kakdiya, Minister of Transport, Government of Gujarat. Extending his best wishes to the industry, the CM said: “It is pleasing to learn that such an important event on Truck, Trailer and Tyre is organized in Gujarat. I am sure the expo will turn out to be a boon for all the stakeholders of the transportation and logistics industry.”
Tata DLT’s ARAI edge
Tata International DLT Pvt. Ltd., popularly known as Tata DLT participated at Gujarat expo since it is one of the States along with Maharashtra and Rajasthan from which the company derives 65-70 per cent of its business from. Gujarat’s contribution alone is around 20-25 per cent and Tata DLT is considered as one of the preferred trailer manufacturers in the State. “Post GST and other strict regulations a lot of people are looking to work with a certified and organized trailer manufacturer. Owing to the changes in regulation and we having the ARAI certification our market share is growing in these markets and we are considered as one of the preferred manufacturers to work with,” said Mr. Manoj Das, Head Sales & Marketing, Tata DLT.
Tata DLT intended to promote the benefits of its ARAI approved trailers at the show. “We expect that ARAI approvals have given us a good advantage to penetrate into the Gujarat market. This will keep us apart from other competitors in this part of the country,” informed Mr. Das.
Kalyani Maxion Wheels draws attention
Being one of the world’s largest wheel rim manufacturers Kalyani Maxion Wheels showcased its entire range of products including both tube type and tubeless wheel rims at the fair. “The future looks to be going towards tubeless tyres, even for the rigid trucks, and we believe that soon the trailer industry will also move towards tubeless tyres. The government is deciding the correct GVW which is restricting overloading and people are becoming more conscious of the recurring costs such as fuel and tyre life. These are important factors towards acceptance of tubeless wheel rims,” revealed Mr. Shrirang Damle, AGM – Marketing & Exports, Kalyani Maxion Wheels Pvt. Ltd.
Mr. Damle added: “We have steel versions of both tube and tubeless rims. Since we cover a wide range of products, we are not sticking to 7.5” x 20” suitable for 10R 20 tyres. We have similar products for 14R 24, 315 22.5 tyre sizes. Many global OEMs like MAN, Scania, Volvo and even BharatBenz are trying to get more and more products for their trailer range and we are ready with it.”
The company received a lot of inquiries for the tubeless wheel rims at the expo. “We pioneered the tubeless wheel rims in India since 2004. Of course, when we started it was more for the bus segment, however, the OEMs are also pushing it for trucks and trailers. We are happy to have played an active role in it. Most of India’s tubeless wheel rims requirement is being catered by us both in OEMs as well as trailers. Most of the green DTC buses are running on our wheel rims. We are catering to all the leading trailer manufacturers in the country. With our wide range of both tube and tubeless wheel rims we easily hold 60 per cent share of the market,” he informed.
Gibraltar poised for robust growth
Gibraltar Airsprings Pvt. Ltd. showcased two special types of air springs at the fair. The first one was an air spring used for jack application and the other one for high capacity trailers. Speaking about the product features and its uniqueness, Mr. Arpan Basu, Director, Marketing and Product Development, said: “These are unique products from Gibraltar and could not be found or sold over the counter by any other importer or other air springs manufacturers in the country. We figured out that it is not only the bus manufacturers who scout for branded quality products but also the truck and trailer manufacturers. We are an ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & OHSAS 18001 certified company and assure customers of the best quality, good governance & environment-friendly products. Our products boast the use of 100 per cent premium chloroprene rubber against no extra price while it also helps us in making fully-indigenized air springs.”
Gibraltar earns 75 to 80 per cent of its revenue from the bus segment and is expecting the truck-trailer industry to grow over the next couple of years. “By 2020, the truck and trailer will account for nearly 80 per cent of our business. Although the bus business will grow, it will not hold more than 20 to 22 per cent. The truck-trailer segment will grow five times the current contribution. Hence, we are setting up a new line at our existing facility in Kolkata, where we can double or nearly triple our capacities. The current capacities of 2,000 pieces per month for truck-trailer will grow up to 6,000 pieces per month,” beamed an optimistic Basu.
Nattco’s extended trailers
Nattco, a new trailer start-up founded by Mr. Kartik Krishna, showcased a prototype of a first-of-its-kind 32 feet trailer that can be extended to 40 feet. Said Mr. Kartik Krishna, Proprietor: “The whole idea of the extendable trailer is to offer flexibility. As of now the transporters use a fitting trailer, as in, for 20-feet length they use a 20-feet container and for 40 feet, they use a 40-feet container. Our trailer will ease the maneuverability as well as offer a solution under one product.”
He elaborated: “The trailer in its compressed mode is 32 feet long. This mode accommodates a 20 feet container, either in the middle load position or the rear position. It can be extended to 40 feet, as well as 45 feet for special containers. At the 40 feet length, it can carry two 20 feet containers or one single 40 feet container. The locking mechanism with spring loaded locks is simple and can be performed by a single person. The tridem axles are from SAE SMB, part of the ADR Group, present in India as ADR Axles.”
“Since we are a new start-up, we are looking at manufacturing 10-15 trailers per month. We have spoken to customers who are interested and will start with standard products like flatbed and semi-trailers in and around Jamshedpur. Apart from manufacturing trailers, we are also looking at partnering with ADR Axles by promoting their brand in the eastern part of the country, mainly Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Kolkata. Along with selling, I am also focusing on trailer service and will educate people that servicing trailers is also important as much as it is for prime movers. The basic elements that need to be repaired are brake pads, bearings and pin bush as these are the components that wear out easily. We plan to start stocking these parts and axles too as it will further strengthen our commitment to the segment,” concluded Mr. Kartik.
ITTTE 2017 Photo Gallery
