We sold 25 milling machines last year

Stefan Wirtgen, President, Wirtgen BeteiligungsgesellschaftWith the vision to provide its Indian customers with a complete package for road construction, Wirtgen aims at offering a one-stop-shop for milling and paving machines, recycling and compaction equipment and much more. Stefan Wirtgen, President, Wirtgen Beteiligungsgesellschaft and Ramesh Palagiri, Managing Director & CEO, Wirtgen India share more on the Indian market and the company with CW.What are your plans for India?Wirtgen: Last year, we invested Euro 8 million in our new Pune facility. About the products manufactured, we started with the soil compactor. Next will be the 9 tonne asphalt roller for pavers; engineers from India and Germany are currently working on this product.What is the potential for milling?Wirtgen: It is massive, as in India there is a huge requirement for road construction. We sold 25 milling machines last year and are expecting this count to grow to 100 in the next two to three years. We are also planning on monthly seminars to support milling contractors. Apart from this, our focus is on recycling as well.Palagiri: Milling is already accepted by the government. But, recycling is a new concept, and we are in various stages of discussions with contractors, the NHAI, IRC, CRRI and the committee on flexible paving. Hence, I believe that eventually, recycling will take off as well.Also, it is important for the operator to know his machine....Palagiri: This is most critical. Hence, we have opened an operating school in Pune where we offer budding operators free training, ensuring jobs as well as a better salary.In the compactors segment, what is your market?Wirtgen: We started rolling out our first volume from June 2011, and our market share should be close to 7-8 per cent. Our target is to reach 40 per cent in the next two years.To share your views on these interviews, write in at feedback@ASAPPmedia.com