I define 2012 as a year of modest growth

Damian Power, Director, Powerscreen Global Product LineThe name says it all! Indeed, Powerscreen has grown to become a leading force in the original equipment manufacturing (OEM) sector. The company's machines cover a wide range of material processing requirements in terms of mining and quarrying equipment and crushing, screening and washing machines for the mining, quarrying, demolition and recycling industries. From the Warrior 800 mobile screen to some of the largest mobile crushing plants - the XA750S jaw crusher, 1500 Maxtrak cone crusher - and the Aggwash and Finesmaster washing and dewatering plants, the company has a wide range of products to fit most applications. Celebrating 10 years in India with the sale of 1,000 products, Damian Power, Director, Powerscreen Global Product Line, speaks about the company's journey and products, in conversation with Shriyal Sethumadhavan....How has the journey been?It's been a very interesting expedition. Initially a major part of our success came from mining applications. Also, over the past three to four years, immense efforts have been put into understanding aggregate production and, today, we are fairly happy with our progress in this area. We started off as a pure export company and now have a manufacturing facility in Hosur, where we produce almost 90 per cent of the products for the Indian market.One thousand products in 10 years! Was that part of the company's vision?Well, 10 years ago, this would have been very ambitious. But, as we have been growing, we undoubtedly set ourselves a higher target for this year. Also, the fact that the overall target would have included potentially more of the mining business cannot be ignored.How have issues in the mining industry affected your business?We have seen a reduction in demand for machines most typically used in mining. However, that has been compensated to some degree by our machines that cater more to the aggregate sector. So, in totality, our business in India this year has not suffered much. From the mining point of view, I am sure the Indian government will get this sorted over a period of time.Any plans for new manufacturing facilities?At this point in time, the capacity we produce at the Hosur facility will certainly stand us in good stead, probably for the next two to three years. So, with regard to a new facility, there is nothing significant planned in the near future.Is being 'eco-friendly' part of your practices?We do meet global energy levels as maintained in various countries. While in India today we are Tier 3, across the world our machines are supported by the required Tier 4 compliances. Also, our factories to an extent are environment friendly. For instance, our Irish factory is certified ISO 14000 as per environment standards, and we aim for something similar in our Hosur factory.What is your 'Vision 2012'?I define it as a year of modest growth. When you compare India to the rest of the world, most developed countries are very pleased with its current growth and future growth graph. Although well positioned, we also envisage, like other manufacturers, more cost pressure in  this country; alternatively, I would say that this also indicates a price rise for consumers of construction equipment over the next one to two years.Another 10 years down the line, what's your ambition?I would like to think that we would have sold more than 4,000 products in India.To share your views on these interviews, write in at feedback@ASAPPmedia.com