<span style="font-weight: bold;">- Souma Ray, Director, Haulotte India</span><br /> <br /> The market for aerial work platforms (AWP) in 2017 has grown by 24 per cent. The telehandlers industry has in the past years been witnessing a steady growth especially in the 3 tonne segment. 'We have been seeing substantial growth in our business in both, the AWP and telehandler segments,' says <span style="font-weight: bold;">Souma Ray, Director, Haulotte India.</span> He shares more on the company... <p></p> <p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tell us about your offerings in manufacturing people and material lifting equipment.</span><br /> Haulotte India is a 100 per cent subsidiary of Haulotte Group France and we are one of the largest full range manufacturer of AWP in the world. In India, Haulotte is a leading brand in term of new machines sold in the country. AWP are used across all sectors where there is a need to work at height productively and safely. The Haulotte telehandler (or telescopic handler) offers maximum stability, unmatchable handiness giving operational flexibility, progressiveness and precision.</p> <p>For India, we have a range of seven AWP products over 60 models: Articulating booms from 12 m to 41 m working height; Scissors lift from 8 m to 18 m working height; Telescopic booms from 14 m to 43 m working height; Vertical masts from 6 m to 10 m; Push around from 7 m to 14 m working height; Trailer booms from 12 m to 26 m. We have eight models in the telehandler range: Five machines in the 10 m working height; two machines in the 14 m working height; and two machines in the 17 m working height.</p> <p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tell us about the company's focus on R&amp;D and design. </span><br /> At Haulotte, we are continuously innovating in terms of our R&amp;D by introducing newer and more user-friendly technology and also working to expand our product line. We are already revamping our older models. Our R&amp;D team is working to incorporate the best safety features in our machines. One of the recent technological advancements in our diesel boom lifts is the Entrapment Prevention System, ACTIV' Shield¬ Bar, a secondary guarding system that ensures safety of the worker in an entrapment situation. Apart from this, our newest introduction is the provision of LED lights integrated on our new HT28RTJ 28m m Telescopic Boom and HA260RTJ 26m Articulating Boom to facilitate safe loading operations of the machine at night. </p> <p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Elaborate on the financing solutions to meet client needs.</span><br /> To address the issue of financing for procuring a machine, we have started Haulotte Financial Services (HFS), to provide in-house finance at attractive rates to our customers and offer a wide range of financial solutions. In the financial lease model, the company acquires ownership following end of lease; and with the hire purchase option, customers can purchase the equipment for an amount specified at the beginning of the contract. </p> <p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">What are the value-added services offered along with your products?</span><br /> We provide operator and maintenance training to our customers and always have periodical checks undertaken for the machines at regular intervals. Further, we have online access at 'Easy Spare Parts' to order for spare parts, e-technical information to access all technical details and documents related to our products.</p> <p> (Communication by the management of the company)</p>