BEML Limited plays a pivotal role and serves India’s core sectors like Defence, Rail, Power, Mining and Infrastructure. We at BEML Specially focus on ergonomics on our equipment to ensure maximum operator comfort. BEML has sustained its own brand value in the market for the past five decades in manufacturing High Capacity and reliable equipment in both Mining and Construction Equipment. The first time in our country BEML manufactured a ‘Heli-portable Dozer.
- How was your drive and progress in BEML?
After completing my Master in Technology in Welding Engineering from IIT, Chennai Started my career in BEML as an Engineer in the Research & Development Division and completed MS in Technology Management, Germany.
At BEML, which has three Business verticals i.e., Defence & Aerospace, Mining & Construction and Rail & Metro that serves the core sectors of our country’s economy, I had the opportunity to serve in all the three business verticals at various levels.
During my professional journey from an Engineer to the post of Director heading the total business of Mining & Construction, I had acquired varied experience spread across several functions like R&D, Production, Planning, Outsourcing and Marketing. With this widespread functional expertise and recognizing my contributions towards achieving the goal of the organization, I was tasked to head a business vertical which contributes 50% of total turnover of the Company. I was also given an additional charge as the Chairman & Managing Director of the Company, temporarily.
- Who are your ultimate customers and what is your strategy to ensure client satisfaction?
In the Mining & Construction Business vertical, our biggest customer in the mining segment is M/s. Coal India Limited apart from other institutional customers such as SAIL, NMDC, SCCL, NLC, NALCO, NHPC, BHEL, NTPC FSNL, RRVUNL, MSPGCL etc..
In addition to these we have many private sector customers including Cement, Steel, Agriculture, Power sectors etc.
In the construction segment our major customers include Border Road Organization of Indian Army, all Municipal Corporations and Contractors.
In the export business we have supplied to more than 68 countries and recently we have customers from Bangladesh, Cameroon, Kenya, Middle east and Africa.
We have established many services contract schemes with our major customers to ensure maximum availability and increased productivity of our equipment. However, notwithstanding the above,
- Incorporating innovative Technology at par with international standards matching the current market.
- Comprehensive equipment maintenance plan for maximizing availability and productivity by reducing the downtime of the equipment.
- Special focus on ergonomics on our equipment to ensure maximum operator comfort.
- Ensuring Timely supply of parts and service even to the remote locations where our equipment is deployed.
Providing quality product and service is the primary strategy in ensuring client satisfaction.
- BEML has also put forward in underground mining products and dredging business. Tell us more about it.
Presently, BEML has a very small share in the underground mining equipment business, however we are in the process of identifying suitable technical partners for collaboration to manufacture Continuous Miners for underground mining application.
Keeping in view of diversification of business, BEML ventured into Dredging Business. However, since the feasibility of the same was not as per the expectation hence, we presently are not into the Dredging Business segment.
- What is your specialty in the mining and construction equipment manufacturer that gives your brand loyalty?
BEML caters to both the Mining Sector and Construction Sector. With regards to the Mining Sector, keeping in view of the ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ mission of our government and the current mining industry requirement, we have indigenously manufactured the following high-capacity equipment for the first time in our country:
- 150 T and 190 T Hydro Electric Dump Trucks models “BH150E” and “BH205E”.
- 180T Hydraulic Excavator in Electric version Model “BE1800E” and Diesel Version model “BE1800D”
- Powered with 860HP capacity engine, Dozer model “BD475-1”
All these above High-Capacity equipment have saved a lot of revenue in terms of forex and also proved that our country is self-reliant in this segment.
In addition to the above models, BEML has bagged orders for manufacture and supply of 1 No. 20 Cu. M Electric Rope Shovel model “BRS21” and this also being manufactured indigenously for the first time in our country.
Further, we have already incorporated AI technology on some of our equipment models to ensure higher productivity and operator safety.
With regards to Construction Equipment, for the first time in our country we have manufactured a ‘Heli-portable Dozer’. This Dozer was developed mainly keeping in view of the logistical challenges faced in transportation of equipment to high altitude locations. These Dozers are developed primarily to cater to the Indian Army.
BEML has sustained its own brand value in the market for the past five decades in manufacturing High Capacity and reliable equipment in both Mining and Construction Equipment.
- What is BEML foreseeing in the coming years?
The primary vision of the Company is to become the cornerstone for India’s Make-in-India aspirations, a manufacturing hub for the highly competitive core businesses.
Our government’s theme towards building a new India with major infra-structure inline and smart city projects will pave way for demand for construction equipment and metro coaches.
Demand for High-Capacity equipment is growing substantially and we have already proven in this segment and is in the process of becoming global leader in high-capacity equipment viz., 240 T Dump Trucks, Walking Draglines & Rope Shovels.
Exclusive thrust will be towards exploring the international market to tap opportunities in all the business areas and increase the exports will be our major priority. We are hoping to make Rs 500 crs through export business within five years of period.
- What are the challenges and exceptions you stand against?
- Increase in Input Material Cost
- Demanding technology advancements inline with international market standards.
- Thrust towards new emission norms
- Maintaining cost-competitiveness are the major challenges.
- Project delays in the Mining Sector due to delay in resolving environmental and social issues.
- Policy interventions favoring the private sector.
- Increased FDI caps in the Coal & Defence Sector are the major exceptions.
