Equipment focus

A mark of maturity of the Indian industry is the fact that last year saw specialist consultant Off-Highway Research open an office in New Delhi. The opening was timed to coincide with a new in-depth report on the Indian equipment market, which was launched at last November's Excon exhibition in Bangalore.

Off-Highway research's report illustrates the staggering growth of construction equipment sales in India. From a base of 10000 units in 2002, the sector tripled in size in four years to 31676 machines in 2006. By far the most popular type of equipment is the backhoe loader, with 13797 machines sold in 2006, and by far the most popular manufacturer is JCB with a market share of about 75%.

According to managing director David Phillips, total equipment sales in India hit about 40500 machines last year, about half of which were backhoe loaders. This makes India the second largest backhoe loader market in the world after the US.

Of course other types of earthmoving equipment are also popular in India. Off-Highway Research's figures show that 5899 excavators were sold in 2006, along with 1870 wheeled loaders and 360 graders.

As far as lifting equipment goes, there is a preference in India for ‘pick and carry' cranes - accounting for about 90% of all the country's 3728 crane sales in 2006. These tend to be fairly cheap, low capacity machines that have their roots as modified tractors.