The pandemic-induced restrictions forced us to make the best use of technology.

V Senthilkumar

- Managing Director, Propel Industries

Could you brief us on the current crushers and screens market in terms of size and value? What are the growth drivers from different verticals like aggregates for roads and railways and from mining sector?

The crushers and screens market comprises of both organised and unorganised sectors and this can be estimated to be Rs 30 billion per year. This is for aggregates which is 100 TPH and above. Out of this figure, track-mounted plant is estimated to be at Rs 6 billion, tyre-mounted plant at Rs 10 billion and Rs 14 billion for skid-mounted and unit equipment.

The construction and infrastructure development projects such as roads, dams and railways that are lined up are helping to increase the demand for crushers and screens.  The retail market for construction also plays a vital role. The ban on usage of river sand is also promoting the demand.

Brief us on the measures taken to support your customers during this crisis and what innovative, value-added products / service support solutions you have added / aim to add?

We have been trying our best to support our customers ever since the pandemic struck us. We are hand-holding our customers in every possible way to wade through this phase without much trouble.

One classic example of this is when we were able to ship a track machine to Uganda (June 2020) just by connecting to port logistics crew and our customer team through video conferencing. The entire process of loading, transporting, unloading and commissioning happened without Propel staff being there physically. The pandemic-induced restrictions forced us to make the best use of technology and we have been extremely successful, so far.

We are always driven by 'customer first' slogan and the crisis has only strengthened our resolve.

Brief us on the latest technology trends in this space and what is your contribution in this area helping your clients optimize production?

The incorporation of technology in the equipment and related sectors is happening fast. Automation in the engineering and construction industry is acting to the advantage of the industry.

Track machines operated with electric power rather than by hydraulic means is the latest trend. They provide considerable savings in operation cost.

There is widespread demand for all our products. Apart from maintaining our quality standards, our focus is also on round-the-clock service and spare parts support.

As a growing company, we promise to stay agile in order to serve our customers better.

How is digitization shaping up the control & monitoring systems, and also the back up support and maintenance areas? What are the major challenges in this area in terms of cost, acceptance level, integrating different stages of processes etc?

Propel Industries is working on innovations while also continuously improving our present products. We have learnt to embrace digitalisation in the post-Corona time and I think that is the way forward.

We get SMS alerts from the machine directly to our service engineers for issues like oil and filter changes. We are working on IOT which will reduce the need for more manpower and increase operational efficiency. We are designing a digital roadmap which will be revealed to the market, soon.

Irrespective of departments, we have to become more digital and the pandemic has left us with little option. Industry 4.0 is all about making the best use of digital solutions. Industry leaders have started implementing control-tower and have taken the approach to increase end-to-end supply chain transparency. Many have also taken to automation to handle worker shortages. We are doing the same. We are working towards transforming our operations to deliver products and service to the customers in lightning speed.

How do you assess the trends towards electrification of crushers and screens and also brief us on your contribution in this space?

The choice for a mobile plant is being led by rising cost of quarry operations, mining lease regulations and lack of qualified manpower to operate the plants.

Propel offers multi-configuration, high capacity (in the range of 200 TPH to 400 TPH) dual powered track plants which includes jaw, cone, VSI and screen. Track plants operated with electric power rather than by hydraulic means is the latest trend.

Propel Industries has introduced 4 deck screen for the first time in the world and it is running successfully at multiple locations. The track plants can be commissioned in a day and hence the plant is available for immediate production.

Propel Electric mobile crushing and screening plants are accepted by customers worldwide because of its unique features. Track machines provide considerable savings in operation cost.

What are the latest unique features from your stable you are excited about?

We have launched Gyratory Cone Crusher AVCG 600, Horizontal Shaft Impactor AVH1 250, Washing plant PW250, Jaw Crushing Model AVJ 508, Vertical Shaft Impactor AVV1 55, Air Classifier AVAC 200 and Thickener 12 meter AVTH 12 recently. We have also improved the quality and performance of our existing products.

We are driven as much by our core values of customer focus, teamwork, integrity and professionalism as passion. When the world was reeling under the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we decided to design and manufacture PVS 201, an automatic emergency ventilator. PVS 201 is being tested in Coimbatore hospitals. With additional inputs from the medical fraternity, we have developed a second model which is being tested at Kalam Institute of Health Technology, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. We wish the product goes through the testing processes and comes into use soon, for the benefit of the society.

A research and development lab for testing the properties of rocks and minerals has been inaugurated recently.

Why should a customer opt for your solutions?

Propel Industries is a growing company and our promise to stay agile in order to serve our customers has been well-accepted. We work on innovative customised solutions while also improving the present products, continuously. There is widespread demand for all our products.

Sharpening the focus on packing and forwarding solutions to give the best possible look and feel of our products has been the focus this year and it will remain so in the immediate future too. On the operational front, several cross-functional teams have been developed to raise the bar. Our service standards have improved and the access to spare parts across the length and breadth of the country have been made easier. We are also extending our operations to Kenya, Uganda and Zambia. From end of March till now, we are doing everything possible to help our customers sail through these challenging times. We are using technological means to extend professional support. I can say with pride that our customers will keep coming back to us for more solutions.

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