Page 52 - CO January 2022

TICKER TAPE
EQUIPMENT The world’s first trial of a remote-controlled High-lift wheeled loader transaction, Kubota Agricultural Machinery India and Escorts
WORLD’S FIRST TRIAL OF REMOTE CONTROL HIGH-LIFT
WHEELED LOADER
Kubota India are to be merged with Escorts.
Explaining the strategic rationale, the statement from Escorts
stated that the deal would create one of the largest Indo-Japan
over a 5G network in a complex forestry application has been
carried out by Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE).
Equipment Sector.
The Remote Timber research project is a collaboration between
Escorts will be the exclusive vehicle for the manufacture and sale
Volvo CE and the telecom operator, timber and paper agriculture collaborations to attain global leadership in the Farm
manufacturer SCA, Mid University Sweden, Skogforsk and Biometria. of certain products in India and for sourcing from India (existing
The tests at SCA’s timber terminal in Sweden have demonstrated and products to be jointly developed in future. The Indian tractor
that it is possible to tele-operate a Volvo L180 High-lift wheel maker will also house a major R&D and Innovation Centre to offer
loader, hundreds of km away. products and new alternative technologies. It aims to seamlessly
Using a closed 5G network with low latency allowed operators to integrate Kubota’s global reach and business processes with
perform the sensitive process of picking, loading and organizing Escorts’ proven frugal engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
logs remotely. Tele-operated forestry is expected to deliver Post the deal, Kubota will provide affordable and accessible
improved productivity by allowing one operator to work across tractors, utilizing Escorts’ know-how, and Kubota’s decades-old
multiple – and sometimes isolated – sites around the world. It product development knowledge will help the latter improve
is also expected to make it both safer, by removing humans its quality and productivity in the R&D, procurement and
from potentially hazardous environments, and more sustainable, manufacturing functions. One of the biggest areas where Kubota
through more efficient logistics flows as the loading and unloading will leverage Escorts capabilities is its distribution and service
of timber can also be done during the night. reach, allowing both the partners to expand the product portfolio
Christian Spjutare, advanced engineering program manager, ranging from high-performance tractors to basic tractors and the
Volvo CE, said, “We expect tele-operation to open up far greater geographical reach. The Japanese tractor maker will consider
opportunities for operators than is currently available. Sometimes developing and manufacturing basic combine harvesters and
it can be difficult to hire people in timber terminals because of construction machinery targeting India, and other emerging 19-21 SEP 2022
their remote locations. markets post the deal. Experts say the Kubota takeover is positive THE INDIAN TRADE SHOW
“Tele-operation allows people to work from any location, no for Escorts, resulting in technology/new product support for Agri FOR CONSTRUCTION, INFRA
matter the distance, making it a more desirable work setting, with and Construction Equipment divisions. Exports can also receive AND MINING MACHINERY
the added advantage of more efficient and sustainable work a boost because of the widening product portfolio and utilization
logistics.” of the global Kubota distribution network.
Volvo CE added that an important aim of the research project is
to explore exactly what is required from an operator perspective in KOMATSU EXPANDS HYDRAULIC BREAKER RANGE
making tele-operation a user-friendly and efficient experience. The Equipment manufacturer Komatsu has introduced its JMHB-V
OEM is exploring the potential for tele-operation across a variety breaker series to help customers’ impact energy and performance
of segments, from mining to urban construction, with this project in a variety of demolition applications.
testing the technology in its most challenging application yet. The 100% hydraulic-fired V-series breakers modulate their impact
force and frequency with up to 16 working positions to match most
KUBOTA TO INVEST OVER `9,400 CRORE IN ESCORTS TO application’s requirements.
BECOME A MAJORITY PROMOTER Designed to help maximise productivity while helping lower cost
In an intricate deal, the Japanese tractor major Kubota per tonne, the breakers are also fitted with an innovative energy-
Corporation will invest up to Rs 9400 crore to become the saving recovery valve that recuperates energy to drive efficiency.
majority stakeholder in India’s fourth-largest tractor maker. After Depending on the application’s hardness, V-series breakers
consummating the complex three-tier deal, Kubota Corporation’s automatically select the best piston stroke length and speed. By
stake will increase to 53.5% from the current holding of 9%. After adjusting to either hard material, with long and powerful strokes,
consummating the complex three-tier deal, Kubota Corporation’s or to softer material, with shorter, faster strokes, the breakers can
stake will increase to 53.5% from the current holding of 9%. achieve high production output, with little wasted impact energy.
In a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange, Escorts stated that Standard features include automatic greasing, advanced blank
Kubota stake would be increased through the two tranches. In firing protection, swivel hose couplings and heavy-duty housing.
the first tranche, Escorts will give preferential allotment to Kubota The shock-dampening systems in the form of upper and lower
at `2000 per share, infusing `1870 crore. In addition, Kubota will suspensions are said to help reduce the risk of cracking excavator
make an open offer at a preferential allotment price of `7500 booms and breaker housings, while the mounted standard
crore. The current promoter Nanda family holdings continue to automatic lubrication feature helps guard against contamination
remain unchanged after the transaction at 11.6%. The entire caused by dust and debris.
process of preferential allotment and open offer is expected to Inspection kits are included with gauges to measure wear on all
complete by March 2022. critical components.
JM Financial acted as the financial advisor, Transaction Square Additionally, these breakers are backed by the Komatsu North
acted as the transaction advisor, and DMD Advocates acted America Attachment Division, a dedicated hydraulic attachments
as the legal advisor to Escorts Limited. After completing the sales and service team that supports Komatsu distributors.

52 CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES|JANUARY 2022