Interview with Satin Sachdeva, Founder & Secretary General, CERA
How is mobile and heavy duty mobile cranes market progressing in India? Which projects are major demand drivers?
The scenario in India is encouraging due to two reasons – first, the paradigm shift towards buying new cranes from importing used cranes; second, the increase in use of heavy duty mobile crane in construction, cement, steel, wind and power sectors. In India, it is the all-terrain cranes, crawler cranes, rough terrain cranes that dominate the market due to their versatility and operation efficiency.
The mobile crane market is still dominated by pick and carry cranes. Why?
Different attachments can be used in pick and carry cranes and that has revolutionised the market of pick and carry cranes. Therefore, they can also be used as AWPs (Aerial Work Platforms). Due to this, they have applications in new projects such as pre-engineered buildings, modular construction, handling materials, etc. Hence, the pick and carry crane market is expected to witness huge surge in growth. The new generation cranes are designed to cater to the practical working surroundings and needs of construction sites. The new cranes are equipped with improved visibility due to their large cabin and operator comfort. Safety is the most important factor in new generation pick and carry cranes, and therefore they can be operated easily on uneven work sites.
What is the role of safety in heavy-duty mobile cranes? What are the added safety features in your mobile cranes?
Safety means zero accidents. One of the most tragic accidents that can happen on any construction site is a crane accident, involving both tower cranes and mobile cranes. These accidents can lead to serious injuries, death, and damage of property. Preventing these disasters require workers to recognise certain hazards that occur during operation and follow safety procedures to avoid them. It is extremely important to sensitize and train operators and other manpower to prevent accidents. Mobile cranes must be fitted with latest technology like telematics, artificial intelligence, GPS, international safety features like safe load indicators, sensors for maximum working radius, hoisting speed, speed at various skew angles, etc. to alert about any possibility of accident and also prevent them.
The current unprecedented market conditions have put a brake on the demand due to slowdown in construction activities. How do you look at the scenario for the mobile cranes market?
Though the construction industry has been hit badly by Covid, and consequently the demand for mobile cranes has also been hit. But the silver lining is focus of government on infrastructure and therefore, the market for mobile cranes will witness growth in future. Once the current monsoon season passes, there will be surge in demand.
How do you look at market recovery and outlook for mobile cranes? What will drive the growth in future?
The market for all terrain cranes and crawler cranes is predicted to accelerate owing to the expansion of cement plants, construction industry, infrastructure projects and the increased business potential of ship building and repair industry. Cranes will be required for the metro project for general erection as well as for heavy lifts involving lifting and lowering of TBM sections through the shafts. Greenfield nuclear power projects are also expected to be a major driver for medium capacity mobile and crawler cranes in the medium term.
Focus is on handling more jobs and complete faster. Therefore, the mobile cranes with latest technology like telematics, artificial intelligence, GPS, international safety features like safe load indicators, sensors for maximum working radius, hoisting speed, speed at various skew angles, etc. would be in good demand. Indian market will be dominated by XCMG, Sany, ACE, Kobelco, TIL, Escorts, Zoomlion, etc.
