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Interview

A Conversation with

MR VIPIN SONDHI
Chairman, EXCON 2017,
Managing Director & CEO, JCB India Ltd

The infrastructure sector has emerged as the top hiring sector with
12% rise in October 2017 and is a key driver for the Indian economy. Government’s focused
The sector is highly responsible for propelling India’s overall approach towards the
development and enjoys intense focus from the Government. sector coupled with
How does this translate for the construction equipment industry? significant allocation
How does this unfold for JCB in particular? in successive budgets
has played a pivotal
Infrastructure development is not only central to economic development, but it is role in the revival
also a critical enabler for ensuring sustained growth. Also, it acts as a catalyst for of the industry.
the Earthmoving and Construction Equipment sector as more infrastructure activity
means more demand for our machines. Moreover, given
the need for world
Government’s focused approach towards the sector coupled with significant class infrastructure
allocation in successive budgets has played a pivotal role in the revival of the industry.
Moreover, given the need for world class infrastructure in the country, we are certain in the country, we
that the construction equipment industry will continue to progress. are certain that
the construction
The Earthmoving and Construction Equipment industry did go through a severe
down cycle from 2012 to 2015. However, the industry recorded a strong comeback equipment industry
in the year 2016 where it grew by over 40% as compared to 2015; but still could not will continue to
come back to the level of 2011 which has been the best year for the Earthmoving and progress.
Construction Equipment sector so far. Growth this year is has been positive at about
10-15%, however this year has been the year of disruptions with first the failure to
interpret the court order meant for Automobiles to change from BSIII to BSIV, which
affected our industry even though it was never meant for our industry and then with
the roll out of GST where our industry was kept in the 28% tax bracket initially, which
later came down to 18%.
At JCB, we are fully prepared to leverage the opportunity with our world class
equipment range. Our Backhoe Loaders continue to remain the preferred choice
for buyers; we have also diversified our product range and introduced revolutionary
products in the Material Handling range and Excavators, Wheeled Loaders and
Compactors which form the Premier Line range.
With these new offerings, JCB has positioned itself as a full range infrastructure
equipment partner. These made in India products are not just sold in India but have 25
also been exported to over 85 countries. All these products are aimed at maximising
productivity and profitability for our customers. These machines will be used in
several sectors like Roads and Highways, Mining, Ports, Irrigation projects etc. and
will contribute towards building of India’s infrastructure.
JCB India has been maintaining market leadership in the segment
since a decade which is indeed a long time by any standard. What | Global MDA Journal | NOV-DEC 2017
is your success mantra?

At JCB, we always keep customers at the heart of every initiative. All our products

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