Betting big on accelerated road infrastructure development
It was to a harmonious mix of high-octane vibrant beats of djembe and mellifluous notes of flute that Volvo CE’s all-new high capacity P5320B ABG tracked paver was launched. Slated as the game-changer in the Indian construction industry, Volvo CE officials claim customers’ “already strong interest” in their new baby.
Pegged on to the investment promise of the Central Government – to the tune of $1 trillion for the period 2012-17 – Volvo CE is looking forward to the accelerated road infrastructure development. The concerned Minister has already gone on record saying that the current FY will witness building of 40 km/day roads across the length and breadth of the country as against the 18 km/day last year. At an indicative price of Rs. 1 crore, the tracked paver is claimed as the most sought after solution by the contractors in the country.
Mr. Martin Weissburg, President, Volvo CE Global, shares: “This is the rising period for the Indian construction equipment market which is primarily being driven by road construction. The industry numbers in the first quarter are exploding. None of the manufacturers were fully ready for the volume required. Volvo CE feels that it has brought the product at the right time and at the right place.”
Says Mr. Dimitrov Krishnan, Vice President, Volvo CE India: “India currently uses mainly 4-5.5 meters or the 9 meter plus pavers. And most of the 9-13 meter pavers are imported and sold by many manufacturers, including us. So, when the requirement is to lay a road that is 7 meters in width – which is a common width – the customers have, till now, needed to invest in a 9 or 10 meter paver and use it at a lower capacity. But this paver is a cost-effective solution with low investment cost. For us, it is about filling a gap that has plagued the industry for long.”
The P5320B ABG is equipped with Omni V screed which enables maximum paving width which can be achieved by installing optional extensions to the unit’s standard 3m track plates. The heavy-duty screed features tamping bars and vibration systems that can deliver a high pre-compaction density. With a built-in capacity of upto 600 tonnes of paving an hour, P5320B ABG comes with better load sensing hydraulics powered by a variable displacement axial piston pump. An automatic hydraulic track tensioner also maintains accurate track tension for smooth operation. The paver’s material handling system incorporates hard and extra thick, wear-resistant components. This guarantees minimum repair costs in the long term.
Locally global
Volvo CE is big in terms of its presence in markets across Brazil, Russia and China. With growing demand for infrastructural facilities, more efficient execution and supply for a quicker turnaround, especially in the original brick markets like India, this launch is in keeping with the change in the infrastructure environment of the country.
Mr. Weissburg elaborates on the localization that as an Indian manufacturer, with Indian engineers, local suppliers and with emphasis on road building: “This is what we have been waiting for, especially when the country needs to look at ease of transport. So we see the next 5-7 years as fantastic opportunity for Volvo CE to participate in infrastructure development in India.”
Mr. Krishnan echoes this sentiment when he states: “The Central Government is making the necessary funds available, and the investors are the contractors who are taking up these jobs. When we see the demand and the positivity with which they are investing, we feel very confident.”
For Volvo CE, India remains the largest and the most strategic market in the APAC region for road construction equipment. Mr. Vincent Tan, President, Volvo CE APAC Region shares: “The Indian economy is domestic demand driven, unlike Asia Pacific and other markets which are much more export driven.”
The Indian paver market last year stood at around 300 pavers. While Volvo CE imports critical components like hydraulics or the engine, assembling and fabrication is done at its plant in Bangalore. “For us, it is actually about fitting into the scheme of things. We are very proud to be associated with the infrastructure industry, and we feel very much part of nation-building activities,” Mr. Krishnan adds.
Paving the right way
Volvo CE boasts of an entire range of products required for road construction, including levellers, loaders, material layers, mortar graders, excavators, compactors and, of course, pavers. Mr. Krishnan explains: “The emphasis in on concrete roads, and this paver supports that because for building concrete roads only the top layer needs a different paver, but, say for the subways, one would still require a paver which can do spreading of the material. So the P5320B really addresses the concrete paving need.”
But is the Indian construction industry ready for intelligent pavers and compactors? Mr. Krishnan sounds cautious: “Intelligent compaction is still at an early stage of being adapted by customers. Only Maharashtra has looked at it to some extent, and they are using it for contractor evaluation. The paver has sensors that give out indications to the operator. And if he has the skill, he can do a good job using the best of the ability of a paver. On another tangent, the paver is intelligent because it can be remotely operated and controlled, but it is yet to come to India.”
Mr. Tan adds: “The machine is electronically controlled, so that you can pave with whichever configuration you want. The speed control is also run by a micro processor. Then, of course, if one wants 2-D or 3-D hook-up making it more intelligent, then it has the capability to put those as extra options.”
But it all depends on the evolution of the market and the desire for quality construction. Mr. Krishnan observes: “It has got to do with the price at which the road contracts are being taken today and the expectation of the road finish quality. It is a fact that we are still waiting to convert single lane to two, four or six lanes… we are still at the basic level. The market will evolve. And the paver has an electric platform which is already giving the customer the next level. Even a higher level – the C-series paver – is available with us. It is being sold in the European markets today but is waiting to be introduced in India”.
The optimism at Volvo CE comes from the fact that the MORTH is talking not only to the manufacturers individually but also to the construction equipment manufacturers association, while looking at the requirements of the industry in the face of the growing need for better road infrastructure with a critical eye.