Road sector's slowdown hits construction equipment sales

Construction equipment market in India has been shrunken due to the slowdown in road projects and delays in environment clearances. The present construction equipment market in the country is valued at $3.5 billion. A ban on quarry activities in many States has also impacted the sector.

Faced with four per cent de-growth in the current fiscal, companies are throwing in sweeteners to woo customers. Roads sector is the largest customer segment of construction equipment, followed by irrigation and mining. The mining locations also require construction equipment for approach roads.

Players in the market include Ace, Ashok Leyland, Caterpillar, Escorts, Hitachi, Kobelco, Komatsu, JCB, L&T Case and Volvo.