For the first time, authorised dealers from Tata Hitachi’s northern region co-exhibited at Bauma Conexpo India 2023 with Tata Hitachi. Rajesh Rajgor spoke to B K R Prasad, Head of Marketing and Product Development at Tata Hitachi about the company’s various products and future strategies
Tata Hitachi, one of India’s leading construction machinery companies and the largest hydraulic excavator company, is a joint venture between Tata Motors and Hitachi Construction Machinery (HCM). At Bauma Conexpo India, Tata Hitachi showcased its latest equipment, attachments and innovative solutions, including the all-new 5 tonne indigenous wheel loader model ZW 225, Shinrai PRO which is one of the most reliable backhoe loaders and the new hydraulic excavator EX 200 INFRA, among other excavator models. Also on display were attachments like drum-cutter model KDC 45, Miller Quick Coupler Range 6, rock breaker Sandvik BR 2577i and block handling bucket.
Also on display was the next-generation mini excavator, the NX30, which is being launched in a phased manner. The machines displayed by Tata Hitachi featured cutting-edge telematics solutions, namely, ConSite and InSite. These advanced technologies help improve machine productivity and efficiency on job sites. “There has been a growing requirement for 7 tonne excavators with an AC cabin. What was displayed at the show was our 7 tonne excavator with an air-conditioned cabin which has been much in demand. Then we have the Access 23 which is a mini excavator imported from Japan while the NX30 is fully indigenous and most suitable for the Indian market,” said B K R Prasad, Head of Marketing and Product Development.
“We also had a wide range of attachments on display like the rock breakers, the Sandvik series of breakers and the scoop bucket and block handling bucket for 29 tonnes excavators and the Miller twin header, presenting the full range of equipments and attachments to meet the infrastructure needs of India,” he added. The company has had a strong presence in India for the last 60 years and that explains their hold and understanding of Indian customers. “We understand the pulse of the market and we are in a position of offering cutting-edge technology from Hitachi. A customer always looks for value for money and that is where we step in,” Prasad said.
“We have got the best of technology including telematics as a standard fitment for the entire range of machines that we manufacture,” he added. The other big requirement of Indian customers is versatility defined by the growth in project sizes and shrinking timelines. Thus, the need is for machines that can do a variety of jobs at the site, thereby improving the utilisation and also the productivity of the machine. “As we understand the stringent timelines our customers work on, we have focused on attachments. The other important element is a customer’s lifecycle cost, which includes fuel cost. Thanks to Hitachi technology, the Tata Hitachi range of equipment is known for offering the best in fuel efficiency,” Prasad said.
“We have the best-in-class models, all of which add to savings for the customer. We also have a strong network of dealer partners and service teams to assure customers of quick service and maintenance and replacement of parts,” he added. The need for construction equipment is being driven by an increase in large-scale projects across India and growing infrastructure expenditure. The Indian construction industry is all set for rapid expansion. Manufacturers of construction equipment are witnessing a return to normalcy in business following a difficult period, supported by resurgence in business sentiment. “We have seen this market grow by almost 20–25 per cent over the years but the margin of growth is now in single digits. Nevertheless, I believe that the market will continue to improve going forward. This year we anticipate that it will grow by about 15–20 per cent,” Prasad stated.