“Digitalization is the new buzzword”

Nitin Lall,
GM,
Atlas Copco (India) Limited.

Nitin Lall, GM, Atlas Copco (India) Limited, tells Prabodh Menon of CT the challenge for manufacturers is bringing in newer technologies on a continuous basis.

What is the outlook for business and what segments is the demand coming from?

It is a very positive scenario for infrastructure segment with extra investment lined in for all areas of core infrastructure such as roads, metro rail, expressway, airports and expansion on existing highways. At Atlas Copco, we have products to match this positive environment. We offer a range of portable air compressors for quarrying applications, which is a
segment of paramount importance, looking at the amount of stone which is required for infrastructure projects.

With time bound projects and the need for 24*7 action to ensure on time completion, technology, which ensures reliable light onsite, brings in the required support for meeting the infrastructure projectdeadlines. Atlas Copco's newest addition to its portfolio, the HiLight V5+ LED light tower, illuminates an area of approximately 5,000 sqm with an average brightness of 20 lux. This LED light tower is the 1st CPCB II compliant light tower in India for the entire light tower, which ensures sites are brighter, safer and more productive.

Undoubtedly, the road segmentis where power equipment such as portable air compressors and light towers are most in demand when we focus on infrastructure specifically. Atlas Copco also plays a pivotal role in the irrigation segment to provide water for drinking needs where our portable compressors aresuccessfully deployed in large irrigation projects. We contribute to this segment in a big way, with our advanced waterwell compressors.

With an upgraded portfolio and technologically advanced equipment, Atlas Copco portable air compressors and light towers will continue to touch lives and improve infrastructure needs of people in India.

What are the key issues faced by the industry? How would you like to address them?

For companies like Atlas Copco, who believe in innovation, continuous improvement in present technology is a must. Not only is it necessary to improve in innovation but it is also imperative that we adapt new technologies being used in developed countries. In terms of challenges, we foresee more production, new technology to achieve more productivity and service set up - more products, better service set up and expertise is needed. The challenge for manufacturers is to bring in new technology on a consistent basis. We, as market leaders will launch advanced technology products to grow faster than the industry; for that, we will continuously innovate. Advanced technology and better productivity solutions will be the demand drivers in the future.

Tell us what are the trends in equipment from a customer standpoint.

We cannot ignore that customers are also scaling up in terms of quality and service expectations, and we will continue to provide them with the time-tested Atlas Copco technology. Atlas Copco is a big investor in R&D in India. As leaders in innovation, we focus on localisation and developing newtechnology. In 2013, Atlas Copco invested in a greenfield state- of-the-art manufacturing facility at Chakan, Pune. This investment was with an eye to our future growth in the country. The plant is three times the size of our old facility at Dapodi, Pune, and therefore, will be quite sufficient to meet our immediate as well as future demands, both locally and for some overseas markets. The Chakan plant will be utilised in the future forour indigenisation projects for generators and pumps.

Digitalization is the new buzzword and we at Atlas Copco focus on bringing in unmatchedservice with a strong digital footprint.  We are complementing the traditional way of serviceengineers monitoring the health of the machine with advanced digital systems like Fleet Link.Fleet Link is a connectivity (telematics) solution which represents all relevant operational andservice information of connected machines on the website and dashboards. It offers remoteinsights in the vital stats of our customers' portable air compressors on site.  Further, our latestdealer management software ensures maximum equipment uptime.

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