We will cover 150,000 sq m in 2013 - a space increase of about 70%

Thomas Loffler, CEO, bC Expo India For India, it's never too late. While 2011 was a year of slowdown in projects, the road construction sector picked up in 2012 with NHAI awarding about 4,375 km of roads in the first nine months of the year. Amidst a hectic project management scenario, equipment hiring, and subcontractors looking for technological advancements and efficient solutions, bC India is set to step in with its second edition. Scheduled from February 5-8, 2012, at Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai, the expo will have over 200 participants from road construction companies. Thomas Loffler, CEO, bC Expo India Pvt Ltd, and Anindya Ganguly, General Manager-Operations, Mining and Construction Equipment Division, Voltas Ltd, share more about the expo and industry in conversation with SHRIYAL SETHUMADHAVAN. How do you view India's current construction equipment market? Loffler: Believing the Off-Highway Research study, demand for construction equipment declined in 2012. However, the institute forecasts a growth of 16 per cent in 2013; 9 per cent in 2014; 11 per cent in 2015; and 10 per cent in 2016. Within construction equipment, though, there are various segments and the growth in backhoe loaders has been the highest. Ganguly: Also, India is not just one market. There are many investors in Gujarat who, without visiting any government office, have got all the licenses to set up a factory and produce their offerings. Hence, states like Gujarat, Karnataka or Andhra Pradesh have certainly progressed. Of late, even Bihar has picked up. It all depends on the government's attitude and stability. Bihar and Gujarat are the most promising states and I am recruiting people there to strengthen my services and marketing network. Despite a slowdown, I am quite optimistic for the road sector to grow and if this happens, we will start falling short of resources in terms of manpower, working capital and the products we offer in the market. Considering a sluggish market scenario, have you witnessed weak participation for bC India 2013? Loffler: We covered 88,000 sq m last year and are expecting to cover 150,000 sq m in 2013 - a space increase of about 70 per cent. However, some companies are occupying more space while some have reduced space. Unfortunately, a few companies have also backed out. Did you have any big players back out? Loffler: There was one big player. However, many new companies have joined us as well with some small companies still on the waiting list. Our first-time participants include JCB, Hyundai, Case, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ashok Leyland, Cifa, Shantui, etc. What will the points of attraction be at the expo? Loffler: Traditionally, we have had an equipment portfolio similar to all Bauma and Conexpo shows. Also, we have tried to strengthen the mining segment this year be¡cause, compared to 2011, we have seen some improvement in this market and be¡lieve it can attract more players. There are also many scaffolding and formwork companies on board. The first bC India edition witnessed nine international pavilions. Do we expect to see more pavilions this year? Also, according to you, how can this boost the infra sector? Loffler: For the first time, Japan will participate along with China, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Spain and the UK. Such participation definitely helps in partnerships and efficient equipment and technologies. Going further, construction projects are expected to have stringent deadlines and be more time-bound. Hence, Indian companies can benefit from international players by exchanging ideas and views, and forming partnerships. Ganguly: The industry is maturing despite many bottlenecks like government clearances, finances and environmental issues. There is immense potential in the roads sector. Being in the mining construction equipment business, we have being putting in efforts to bring in European technologies. For instance, Kobelco, whom we represent, have already signed a partnership with Steel Authority of India (SAIL) to set up a hi-tech steel plant in Durgapur. SAIL is adopting a technology with which end-products can be produced with low-quality coal, which is normally wasted in India and not imported because it has high ash content. Hence, we perceive bC India as a show that will bring customers and OEMs together. Why did you choose Mumbai as the venue? Loffler: Mumbai is the financial and economic capital of India. Most construction companies, corporate people and decision makers are here. This city is easily reachable from various destinations. Last year, one of the exhibitors said that this is the right place as 'everybody has something to do in Mumbai'. Also, the equipment that comes from abroad is easily collected and custom-cleared here; and then can be easily be transported to BKC by road. We had around 25,000 visitors in the first edition and 99 per cent said they would visit this expo again. Hence, many positive factors speak for Mumbai. Were there any setbacks in the first edition that you have tried to correct this time? Loffler: In a survey of around 500 visitors, we learnt that certain marketing activities are very important. For instance, most visitors were there because the exhibitors invited them. Hence, we have decided to float more opportunities to the exhibitor to invite his customers. Following the feedback received, we also worked towards improving the cafeteria. Moreover, the MMRDA ground in BKC is a dusty area and exhibitors complained that during the build-up, it was dusty. We have tried to improve this by watering the area before the trucks come in. Safety and training go hand in hand with construction equipment. Is this subject being catered to in any way at bC India 2013? Loffler: Our partners will organise conferences at bC India. These will include the BuildersÆ Association of India (BAI), ASAPP Media Information GroupÆs 5th Equipment India Conference, and the Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers' Association (iCEMA). Furthermore, it will be mandatory for every person - from the build-up period to dismantling - to wear a helmet and, for certain heights, a safety belt as well. How does the government support you in organising this expo? Loffler: The support has been good from associations and government bodies. For every exhibition you organise in Mumbai, you need 21 permissions. These permissions are required for all exhibitions. But, talking about the venue, local government bodies have supported us. What, according to you, are the major challenges this year? Loffler: The entire venue is a challenge. In Mumbai, there is no exhibition centre that can accommodate an expo like bC India. Apart from being a trade and financial capital, the urgent need is an exhibition centre that can boost the city and state's economy. ASAPP Media produced a Show Daily at the expo last year. Interviews with the exhibitors, their launches and various activities at the expo were printed on a daily basis. How did this help the expo? Loffler: It gives the exhibition a more professional touch and helps visitors as well. I think it is a great initiative and is an absolute need. Ganguly: From the customers' perspective, they will get the correct synopsis about the expo through this. How can a visitor register for bC India? Loffler: Trade visitors interested in visiting the show can pre-register online to avoid the on-site registration charges. However, people who do not register online need to pay a certain amount to visit the expo. To share your feedback on this interaction, write in at feedback@ASAPPmedia.com