We view challenges as opportunities
What are you displaying at bauma Conexpo 2024, and could you highlight recent product launches?
Komatsu and L&T Construction & Mining Machinery have just launched the Komatsu PC35MR-3 mini hydraulic excavator. As urbanisation has been on the rise, there is a growing demand for smaller machines. This three-tonne mini excavator addresses that need. Additionally, Komatsu is building a 190-tonne payload, electrically operated truck, which is now being assembled in Chennai for the Coal and Steel industries.
What are your plans for the future?
We are working with the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries and MoRTH to ensure India-made machinery complies with emission norms, a step towards regulatory improvements. The aim is to localise production further, increasing the domestic content in machines.
We鈥檙e focused on enhancing localisation with Komatsu, aligning with the government鈥檚 Vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Next year, the mini excavators will have 30-40 per cent local content, and the 190-tonne trucks will feature around 20 per cent additional local content. Plans for further scaling up are in the near future.
How important is the "Make in India" initiative for your company?
鈥淢ake in India鈥� has been central to our strategy. In the 1970s, L&T pioneered the introduction of Hydraulic Excavators and Vibratory Compactors during the 1970鈥檚 in India and was among the first to manufacture them in the country.
While the world is only recently considering shifting to greener versions of Construction and Mining machines, L&T developed a fully indigenous electric version of a 60-tonne hydraulic excavator for the first time in India in 1979. It was driven by a 6.6 KV electrical system and designed as an alternative to the diesel version. Later, the electric version of the 20-ton model was also launched by L&T. Both machines, when deployed in mining, could achieve high availability.
At L&T, we continue to champion this initiative, as evidenced by our work on the bullet train project. Despite the specialised equipment being available only in a few countries, our Chairman and Managing Director, S N Subrahmanyan directed us to develop it in India, which we successfully did. This spirit of innovation drives our approach, whether for specialised equipment or general industry needs.
How does L&T support skill development?
We have partnered with the Infrastructure Equipment Skill Council for over a decade. In fact, over the last 10 years, we have trained more than 1,00,000 mechanics, operators, and professionals in the ecosystem. Our training centres, including a central hub in Chennai, focus on upskilling workers and empowering them, which also benefits our customers by ensuring better maintenance and operation of equipment. Moreover, we鈥檝e introduced initiatives to train women and transgender individuals, including in roles like operators and service engineers.
What challenges do you see, and how are you addressing them?
We view challenges as opportunities. For instance, in developing equipment for the bullet train project, L&T innovated to create specialised machinery for handling massive 1100-tonne segments. Similarly, our focus is also on green energy, data centres, and digital transformation. Our strategic plan, 鈥淟akshya 2031鈥�, envisions a future where L&T becomes a technology-driven company, enhancing our presence in sectors like EduTech and green technologies.
A-303, Navbharat
Estates,
Zakaria Bunder Road,
Sewri (West), Mumbai - 400 015,
Maharashtra, India
+91-22-24193000
Subscriber@ASAPPinfoGlobal.com