The leading SLCM manufacturer says it is investing Rs 140 crore to help in its plan to diversify its construction to roads, railways, energy, and irrigation. Ajax Engineering, the world’s largest manufacturer of self-loading concrete mixers (SLCMs), has recently earmarked around Rs 100 crore for allotment of land in Bengaluru from Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) as well as for building a new manufacturing facility. This investment was made to expand its business operations to meet the demands of the construction industry in the future. A news release from the company states that the new factory, which spreads 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 40 crore 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, stated 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 talented youth of the country.” Import substitution Government infrastructure spending has focused on road project awards—in April-September 2020, expenditure grew 140%; 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 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—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 our concreting machines. One of the company’s new 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. The company is also introducing a first-of-its-kind in India Slip-Form Paver—launched at EXCON 2019—designed, engineered and manufactured in India. Ajax terms the product an import substitute that is “versatile machine for concrete paving projects and is the best solution for paving needs. The paving machine comes with low noise, superior fuel efficiency, reliability and durability.” 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, highrises, commercial retail spaces, bridges, airports, and various projects under the Smart Cities initiative. About Ajax EngineeringAjax was established in 1992 for manufacturing SLCM and is the global leader in this product, and provides an end-to-end solutions provider, from production to transport, placement, and pavement. Over the years, it has substantially expanded its product range to Concrete Batching Plants, Transit Mixers, Stationary Pumps, Boom Pumps, Self-Propelled Boom Pumps, and Slip-form Pavers. The company has over 19,000 units of equipment, more than 30 dealers across the country, over 100 sales and support points, with dedicated service centres in Hyderabad, Hubballi, Madurai, Raipur, Surat, Faridabad and Ranchi, with Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) equipment. Its international dealers are located in Nepal and Bhutan, and distribution networks are located in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mozambique, Philippines, Kenya, Tunisia, UAE, Vietnam, Cambodia, Oman, Uganda, and Egypt. This article is solely based on a media release provided by the company.