AJAX Engineering is investing in the expansion of its business operations to meet the demands of the construction industry in the future.AJAX Engineering, the world’s largest manufacturer of self-loading concrete mixers (SLCMs), has recently earmarked around Rs.1 billion for allotment of land in Bengaluru from Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) as well as for building a new manufacturing facility. The new factory, which spans across 20 acre, will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to design and manufacture the newly introduced products, such as concrete slip-form pavers, boom pumps, and self-propelled boom pumps. The annual production capacity for the boom pumps and slip-form pavers would be in excess of 100 units and 50 units respectively.A further investment of Rs.400 million is being done at Gowribidanur plant, about 80 km north of Bengaluru, to expand its existing facility where batching plants and transit mixers are being produced.Jagadish Bhat, MD and CEO, AJAX Engineering, states that as the company’s indigenously manufactured product portfolio and engineering expertise continues to cater to Indian and global markets, “We are positive that this investment will further strengthen the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and create employment opportunities for the talented youth of the country.”Aligning product portfolio with government programmesGovernment infrastructure spending has focused on road project awards in April-September 2020, expenditure grew 140 per cent; 23 expressways have been announced with the targeted completion between March 2023 and March 2025. Furthermore, implementation of the $1.4 trillion National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) plan spread over the next five years will ensure a steady demand for construction equipment (CE) in the coming years.With the tailwinds of demand blowing in favour of the concreting segment with a strong emphasis on indigenisation, AJAX has strategically aligned its product portfolio with the government’s “Make in India, Make for the World” programme. The company is making this alignment by indigenising its portfolio and offering state-of-the-art machines equipped with superior technology manufactured at its Bengaluru plant for the spectrum of construction infrastructure segments.To reach that goal, AJAX is developing cutting-edge features to provide product accuracy and reliability in terms of technological advancement in the concreting machines. One of the company’s innovations for SCLMs is the Load Cell Weigh Batching System, which ensures a higher level of accuracy in the weight management of aggregates and ensures compliance to IS4925 which no other SLCM manufacturer offers today. Import substituteThe company is also introducing a first-of-its-kind slip-form paver in India, launched at EXCON 2019. It will be designed, engineered and manufactured in India. “The product can be termed as an import substitute. It is a versatile machine for concrete paving projects and comes with low noise, superior fuel efficiency, reliability and durability” adds Bhat.Concrete boom pumps have been revolutionising the construction of large commercial and residential buildings and structures. AJAX’s Boom Pumps are especially useful in urban mega infrastructure projects, commercial and office buildings, commercial retail spaces, bridges, airports, and various projects under the Smart Cities initiative.(Communication by the management of the company)