Page 54 - CO JAN 2020

INTERACTION POST EXCON 2019

We are the ‘Biggest on the Road’!

Putzmeister has been providing world class products and services, setting the standards for quality
through continuous and significant investment in R & D. With over 20 subsidiaries worldwide and
manufacturing units across the globe, the company combines top end German engineering,
technology, expertise and high manufacturing standards with locally relevant requirements to provide
a comprehensive solutions package. WILFRIED THEISSEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR, PUTZMEISTER INDIA,
in an exclusive interview to CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES speaks about the industry slowdown, the
necessary steps, and details on the product launch and the company’s future plans.

The last year saw a huge slowdown for the CE industry. Your What are the steps that the government should take to expedite
comments about the same? as soon as possible?
The year 2019 was a big disappointment in comparison of what The first thing is to restart the existing job sites which have been
the market and we as one of the players in the CE industry thought approved and have got the approved finance. The contractors
it would be. There has been a continuous drop in the order intake who were allotted the projects have to be kept going. One cannot
since December 2018 and the last quarter has marked the worst simply change contractors and let them finish the job. The finance
performance. Also there is no clear sign of improvement that can flow in NBFCshas tobe addressed as the banks are not willing to
be seen. We are back to the levels of 2017. take the risks. Customers are willing to pay higher interests as long
as they can get equipment finance.
The year 2018 was full of projects and lot of movement, however Technology has provided better performance for the equipment.
there has been a huge lull throughout 2019. We hope the expos Your comments?
like EXCON give a stimulus to the CE industry. The general situation It is indeed true that connectivity is an important factor these
however is not favour of it. Funds and liquidity issues popped up with days. We offer connectivity through which one can carryout fleet
the NPA’s and the IL&FS scandal hitting the market. Things have still management and remote service. However, that is not the biggest
not resolved in that case. Job sites are being closed downin some worry. We are more worried to get the projects back on track.
states with a change of guard in the local government. This is not
the way business is done. The potential for India and the desire is Can you take us through the recent development with SANY?
there and alive. There is lot more that needs to be worked out to As you know, back in 2012 SANY Heavy Industry became a
set the market rolling and back on track. major share holder of Putzmeister. It has taken a bit of time to

54 CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES|JANUARY 2020