Kim of Doosan Bobcat: The market for skid steer loader is slowly progressing
Equipment

Kim of Doosan Bobcat: The market for skid steer loader is slowly progressing

How do you view the current market for mini equipment in India? Currently, the market for skid steer loaders is slowly progressing post-pandemic, which had been stagnant till last year. The current year trend shows that the skid steer loader market is on a growth path as the infrastructu...

How do you view the current market for mini equipment in India? Currently, the market for skid steer loaders is slowly progressing post-pandemic, which had been stagnant till last year. The current year trend shows that the skid steer loader market is on a growth path as the infrastructure sector is opening with projects being awarded besides the demand in general construction. Whilst the demand for backhoe loaders and compact excavators is growing exponentially, many new players are getting good opportunities in various applications. With markets now in the rebound phase, and with anticipated growth in coming years, the infrastructure sector is gearing up with projects across all sectors. The steady growth in demand would show the road to recovery fuelled by government initiatives. Introduce us to your recent launches in this segment. Last year, we launched two skid steer models – S590 and S770 – introduced in India with CEV stage IV engines. To increase our line up in compact excavators, we also launched E20z and E50z last year, which have seen good demand in recent times. Which mini equipment categories have seen continuous growth in the past couple of years? For which categories do you foresee demand in the near future? The 3 to 3.5-t compact excavator segment has already crossed the 7 - 8T TIV that includes locally manufactured equipment. In the coming days, there would be an upward trend in the mini excavator market. The 3 to 3.5-t compact excavator segment where Bobcat offers E30, E37 Xtra, and E37 Ultra, contributes 80 per cent of sales and is a major selling segment. Kerala has traditionally been a key market for compact excavators and is now surpassing previous performance. However, there is a demand for compact excavators in other regions recently. Most buyers are plant hirers who provide machines for renting out whereas the other segment is the end-users who directly purchase. Plant hirers or rental buyers are very prominent in southern India, whereas the trend changes in the rest of the country with contractors and end-users buying more equipment directly. Generally, machines with industrial applications are bought by end-users which is now gaining popularity in other regions as well. Since most buyers are rental companies, the usage pattern of mini excavators varies in a wide variety of applications such as general construction, agriculture and plantation, and industries. The growth of the mini construction equipment market is limited as they are niche products with specific applications. What are the strategies applied by the company to overcome these challenges? After witnessing demand in the 3.5 t segment, we launched E37 Ultra HD with standard arm and counterweight to ensure easy logistics from one site to another, besides reduced tail swing radius and arm length for confined work sites. Bobcat is a leader in innovation, especially in serving customers with its compact equipment and attachments for various applications. For instance, the Bobcat introduced an HVAC option for its range of compact excavators in the industry. In addition, the compact excavators come with a variety of Bobcat attachments for versatility, with the machine performance being enhanced by the easy controllers which along with the standard coupler on the boom help change attachments quickly and effortlessly. Very soon, Bobcat would focus on similar designs that would be manufactured in India for backhoe loaders, skid steer loaders, and compact excavators to suit the local demands of customers.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Shoals' Q3 2024 revenue falls 23.9% due to project delays, supply chain

Shoals Technologies Group, a U.S.-headquartered manufacturer of electrical balance of systems (EBOS) for solar, energy storage, and e-mobility, reported a 23.9% year-over-year (YoY) decline in revenue, which dropped to $102.2 million in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024. This decline was mainly attributed to project delays and supply chain disruptions. The company posted a net loss of $300,000, a significant improvement compared to the $9.8 million net loss in Q3 2023. Adjusted net income was reported at $13.9 million, reflecting a 58.2% YoY decrease. Adjusted EBITDA stood at $24.5 million, a 4..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

FTC Solar sees 67% YoY decline in Q3 revenue from lower volumes

FTC Solar, a U.S.-based provider of solar tracker systems, reported a revenue of $10.14 million in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024, surpassing analyst expectations by $240,680. However, this figure marked a 66.8% year-over-year (YoY) decline compared to the same quarter in 2023, primarily attributed to reduced product volumes. The decline in solar tracker revenue was mainly due to an 82% decrease in the amount of MW produced, which was negatively impacted by delays in customer projects. This was partially offset by an increase in the average selling price (ASP), which led to better pricing an..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Dilip Buildcon wins bid for BharatNet Phase III broadband project

Dilip Buildcon announced on Tuesday, November 12, that its STL-DBL consortium had submitted the lowest bid for BSNL's BharatNet Phase III broadband connectivity project. The USOF-funded project, which aims to provide middle and last-mile connectivity in Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh, is valued at Rs.1,625.36 Crore. Dilip Buildcon holds a 70.23% stake in the implementation of the project. The project is expected to be completed in three years, and the corporation will secure a 10-year maintenance contract. In recent days, BSNL has awarded several contracts for the BharatNet project. On Monday, No..

Hi There!

"Now get regular updates from CW Magazine on WhatsApp!

Join the CW WhatsApp channel for the latest news, industry events, expert insights, and project updates from the construction and infrastructure industry.

Click the link below to join"

+91 81086 03000