Page 63 - DIGITAL ISSUE MAY 2018

ROAD & ROAD CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
and material costs in both soil and asphalt Please provide details on your emphasis on technology, research, design and innovation?
applications. On the other hand, Cat® What is your focus on technological upgradation in respect of your products?
Payload technologies provide on-the-go load All our research, design and innovations are driven by our Enterprise Technology Strategy INTERACTION
weighing to assist operators with hitting that focuses on four themes: Energy & Transportation, Machines & Machine Systems,
precise load targets every time, helping Automation & Enterprise Solutions and Factory Technology Solutions. Each of the four
to reduce load times, optimize loading themes includes bold, customer-focused goals against which development progress is
e ciency and increase jobsite productivity. measured. Research activities currently underway within these areas include e orts to:
• Improve fuel consumption and reduce greenhouse gas
Give us an understanding of their • Reduce owning and operating costs
key features in terms of safety, ease • Increase uptime
of operating your machines, operator • Increase operator e ciency
comfort, cost e ciency etc. their speci c • Enable remote, autonomous and semi-autonomous operation
advantages. • Improve novice operators to skilled level
Every Cat machine is designed with • Further, extend commonality
utmost focus on safety, operator comfort, • Increase worksite e ciency
reliability, durability and performance. We • Increase power density
always strive to make our customers more • Expand dual fuel and natural gas solutions
successful by providing a state-of-the-art
Cat equipment with better deliverables or hire of road construction equipment developed world-class R&D and product
and performance compared to a competitive market in India? To what extent is development center and factory operations
o ering. consumer behavior in uenced by cost? here in India. ough Caterpillar has been
As an example Cat® backhoe loader is e purchase or hire of road construction serving Indian Backhoe Loader market
engineered with some of the best- in-class equipment is primarily driven by since 2003, in April 2012, we launched a
features like load sensing and close cantered construction activities in the country. new backhoe loader 424B manufacturing
hydraulics, which has got much better While India is in the midst of an facility in iruvallur near Chennai. is
hydraulic efficiency, thereby ensuring infrastructural development–new project facility not only strengthens the company’s
minimal wastage and better fuel e ciency launches and speedy completion of current growing presence in India but also augments
at optimal performance. In addition to projects—there are more positive changes in the distribution channel for this popular
these features, we design our components to the o ng. For instance, projects that were earth-moving machine by bringing in
deliver a high-end performance and ensure facing bottlenecks are also getting a speedy enhanced local production capabilities.
a better product life. clearance and these developments spell good We also manufacture other fast-moving
The operator’s cabins have undergone news for road construction equipment. products like 426F2 Back Hoe Loader,
several improvements to make them more Indian customers are shifting priority 216B3 Skid Steer Loader and 2021D
operator friendly like the option of air- from initial price to life-cycle costs. With Wheel loader in India. We are now actively
conditioning, suspension seat, ergonomic large investments currently being made in leveraging our capability in India to support
controls etc. Connected worksite solutions the infrastructure sector, the customer is our global business. For instance, weare
have also helped improve overall utilization keen today to complete the job quickly and manufacturing 426F2 in India which is a
and performance management of the e ciently to capture more opportunities. global product for exports world over.
equipment. Caterpillar focuses on partnering with the
customer, through dealers, to help them How do you expect the market to shape
Are you looking to add new equipment understand the options available, and the for your industry through 2018 onwards?
to your existing product portfolio? capability of the machines. What we o er e Government’s focus on infrastructure
The launch of 4 new products last year are integrated solutions, right from the kind development and upgradation of roads and
were all intended to meet the industry’s of purchase that is possible (outright buy, highways will spur a lot of construction
demand and customer’s requirements like nance option or rental) to the support activities, as a result of which the demand
increased productivity, improved operator services needed. Furthermore, technology for construction equipment will also
environment, betterfuel efficiency and additions such as machine control and increase considerably in the coming months.
reliability. Weexpect more product launches guidance system have clearly demonstrated Our strategy is to expand our operations
in coming months to cater to the growing greater productivity and increased the in line with the emerging opportunities
industry and to meet changing customer e ciency of the customer. and requirements of the market. In line
expectations. We also want to upgrade our with this strategy, we have been making
products to ll some o he gaps that exist in Tell us about the indigenization e orts investments as well as launching products
terms of what is being o ered today. is is undertaken by the company to meet the consistently in India. We will continue the
a starting point and more products in the market requirements and approach to strategy and invest to expand our business
future. implementing the ‘Make in India’ drive? here. In Caterpillar’s opinion, 2018 is the
We are the global leader in the construction year when India will continue to register
What are the trends driving purchase equipment and mining products and have high growth and pro tability.

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