We have been the biggest manufacturer in our sector

For over 60 years, Hess Machinery is among the frontrunners in the concrete products manufacturing technology. It has famously provided the industry with the apt slogan: "We put concrete to shape." MANOJ KUMAR PILLAI, MANAGING DIRECTOR, HESS CONCRETE MACHINERY INDIA PVT. LTD. responds to Construction Opportunities, the construction equipment magazine’s queries, about his organisation’s plans for the country.

Construction Opportunities, the construction equipment magazine finds out Hess’ contribution to the concrete solutions sector: We’re a German company and among the biggest machinery manufacturer for the concrete industry, especially for concrete light weight blocks, paver stones, autoclaved aerated blocks and precast elements. We have our presence in – apart from our three production facilities in Germany –Russia, the Netherlands, France, China, Canada, Brazil and Mexico. We began our operations in India in 2010 and only last year, we have expanded our Bengaluru production unit.

More about the Bengaluru plant:  We do all the conveyor systems and the handling equipment of the concrete division. We recently started two models of machines for block manufacturing. With Rs 5 crore investments, one is able to do 10,000 blocks per shift. This, a completely computerized plant requires around 10 people. We are now planning to export the machine out of India which will be our sourcing hub in the future. 

An assessment of the Indian market:  As per the study we have done there are about 20 plants in India but the market potential is for 2000 plants of different capacities in the mid and high segment. We don’t cater to the smaller segment. There are about 30 states in the country. Every capital city of each state can be regarded as ‘A’ grade category wise; each state would have a minimum of 5 ‘B’ grade cities and at least 10 ‘C’ grade cites. One ‘A’ grade city can easily accommodate 10 plants with an investment of around Rs 20 crore each; a B grade city can take a minimum of 5 plants of the same investment size, and a C grade city can easily take at least one plant. Based on that calculation we have been able to assess that the country could accommodate 2000 plants. 

Construction Opportunities, the constructionequipment magazine finds out about their main clients and projects they have supported:  Our major clients comprise of some major cement manufacturers, contracting companies and individuals.  Our clients include Ultratech in Mumbai in Hyderabad, JK Laxmi Cement in Delhi, UAL Industries in Kolkata, the Naveen Jindal Group and many others. We are now in talks with the Tatas and Reliance. We are also in the power segment offering support to thermal based power plants. Wherever there is coal generation we are able to offer solutions for disposal of ash.

Performance in 2013-14: In terms of our global turnover we did €350 million last year. We are quite capable of increasing our capacities in India. We have production facilities in 16 locations worldwide. We have been the biggest manufacturer in our sector since 2007. 
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