Raigarh, a city in eastern Chhattisgarh known for its coal reserves and power generation for the state and country, is also quickly becoming known as the home of Jagdamba Trailers. Rajesh Rajgor conducts an exclusive interview with Amit Agrawal, Director and Gyan Singh Kshatriya, Director (Sales and Marketing), Jagdamba Trailers (P) Ltd., to learn how their products are designed to offer low maintenance costs and maximum profits for customers
Jagdamba Trailers (P) Ltd. is part of the well-known group, Jagdamba, in Raigarh, Chattisgarh state of India. Beginning with some very small firms such as those dealing in crushers, textiles, and steel, among others, Jagdamba Group has been engaged in a variety of businesses since 1990s and gradually adding new verticals and factories in a variety of industrial segments, including steel, minerals, excavation, amusement, hospitality and automotive. Jagdamba Trailers is fast becoming a well-known player in the tipper and trailer industry in India by pursuing excellence through the creation of one-of-a-kind value.
The value proposition is being created by the company’s conscious efforts to be customer-centric rather than being price-centric. Says Amit Agrawal, Director, Jagdamba Trailers: “Right from our inception in October 2019, we have been committed to providing first-rate service in order to ensure complete customer satisfaction. Our products’ competitive advantage stems from its customer-focused approach. We don’t go to a customer with a fixed price band or through bidding the lowest price range; we show them the capability we have that can rightly suit their requirements and then take the business forward.”
Right Strategies
To stay ahead of the market, the company focuses on value engineering by introducing innovation and alternative vendor technology with new products. “We are successful in the market and are receiving key customer orders because we first analyse the customers’ needs and then assist them in providing well-designed customer-centric trailers to suit their applications at the most competitive price. We are committed to supplying branded aggregates in our trailers and ensure that the axles, suspension, brake systems, ABS, tyres, wheel rims and steel in our trailers are sourced from reputable manufacturers,” informs Gyan Singh Kshatriya, Director (Sales and Marketing), Jagdamba Trailers.
“As part of our innovative campaign, we have introduced sidewalls without joints, top rails, and floor and under-runners which have increased the overall strength and durability of our trailers. These have been applauded by our discerning customers. We invite all our customers to visit our plant and understand the technology we are using to manufacture these trailers,” Kshatriya adds. The entry of 52-55 MT GVW prime movers in 4 x 2 i.e. six-wheeler platform has been a critical factor in driving the installation of air suspension in the trailers. Air suspension-equipped trailers have potentially heralded the start of a significant shift in customer preferences and market demands in the trailer segment.
Elaborates Kshatriya: “Air suspension has increased the axle load standard and improved the operating economy for transporters. We have become the first in the central India region to get all government approvals for air suspension model trailers. We have included the air suspension trailer offerings and manufacture advanced air suspension trailers so that our customers can carry extra permitted load, thereby increasing their efficiency and revenue. We are seeing a surging demand for 52-tonne vehicles by adding one air suspension in the front axle on 4 x 2 (six-wheeler) platforms for various applications like coal, iron ore, and over-burden movements.”
The whole idea in building the brand Jagdamba Trailers with a customer-centric approach has benefitted the company.
The company has sold more than 1,000 trailers in a short span of time not only in Chattisgarh but also in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. “We have a manufacturing capacity of 200 units per month and currently even during the pandemic we are producing close to 100 units per month. For markets other than Chattisgarh, as in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan, we have developed flat-bed trailers, side-wall and semi-bed trailers apart from tip-trailers. Our in-house ability to customise and design products with world-class aggregators gives us immense scope to acquire business from transporters who are looking to buy new trailers,” Kshatriya states.
Holistic Project Management
The team of engineers, designers and workers on the shop floor at Jagdamba Trailers is a blend of traditional wisdom gained through years of experience and cutting-edge technology. Describing the maturity of its process at the plant, Amit Agrawal states, “We have an in-house design team that is capable of customising dynamic and static analysis to develop a product. Any new product with a new dimension and load distribution capacity is sent to iCAT for prototyping and validation. Following that, we put it on the market. We do use a third-party consulting firm from Delhi to help us with the process and validation.”
The company primarily works with reputed brands when it comes to fitment of aggregates like hydraulic cylinders for tippers or axle and suspension for trailers. They do so to customise as per the client’s application and requirements. “We give products that can guarantee timely services and so we tie up with a brand that has a good service network. We also use 100% high-tensile steel plates for our body and Jindal-make NPB for chassis, which ensures longevity and a higher payload,” adds Kshatriya.
The most common concern for any transporter is a trailer breakdown, which increases the vehicle’s idle time by 2-3 days. Jagdamba Trailers’ guarantees quick service thanks to their service assistance from braking, axle and suspension partners like York, ADR, Hyva, Hidromas, WABCO, etc., amongst others. The company has opened an exclusive service set-up near its plant in Raigarh to cater to the service demand in the region which has further strengthened its relations with potential trailer customers. Adds Kshatriya: “Our precision and emphasis on quality is such that the trailer is made keeping in mind the life of a prime mover and the vehicle’s resale value. We do extend one-year warranty on the body and extend onsite warranties and initiate proactive maintenance every six months.”
Investing in Innovation
The company is able to offer such robust products as they it has invested in argo-shield welding steel process. Argo-shield is a mixture of 80% Argon and 20% CO2 that improves arc stability and protects welding pools from atmospheric contamination. “Argon shield is dispersed straight through the tip of the welding nozzle surrounding the arc, thus limiting the effect of moisture and other elements that would otherwise cause the weld to bridle, become uneven, or create spores. Once the design is approved and the work is commissioned, the raw material is cut and bent, converted into SKDs, cubed and then it goes through shot blasting and taken to the primer booth. In total it takes only 4-5 working days to get the body ready since our process and quality protocols are in place,” Kshatriya informs.
Road Ahead
Ask Amit Agrawal about the goals and vision for the company and he firmly believes that there will be phenomenal growth opportunities and scope for all the stakeholders in the industry. “Jagdamba Trailers has started with a vision to become the number one tipper and trailer manufacturer in India. We have already captured a significant market share and have established ourselves as a first choice of customers. We have targeted to double our production numbers and will be operating at full capacity by the end of this year while looking for suitable expansion. We have also identified a couple of locations apart from Raigarh to start our assembly plant in the near future to cater to the remote areas more effectively,” he adds.