The Meet and Greet event organized by bauma CONEXPO INDIA and Gujarat Contractors Association on 23rd October 2021 at Courtyard by Marriott, Satellite Road, Ahmedabad attracted a good mix of Contracting companies, Equipment Manufacturers organizations and Government officials.
The event was opened by Mr. Arvind Patel, Chairman – Gujarat Contractors Association (GCA) and Managing Director – Patel Infrastructure Ltd. along with Mr. Bhupinder Singh, Chief Executive Officer, bauma CONEXPO India who extended a warm welcome to the guests and officials.
Speaking at the event Shri. R.N. Gupta, President – Builders Association of India (BAI) said, “bauma CONEXPO INDIA has been playing a pivotal role in the inculcation of new construction technologies by associations like BAI which has over one lakh members. Our association with bauma CONEXPO India chapter will further encourage mechanization of construction processes across India.
Mr. Dimitrov Krishnan, iCEMA President & MD, Volvo CE India offered insights on CE Industry in India and Vision Plan 2030. He also commented that “Congregations and joint activities between bauma CONEXPO INDIA, the Gujarat Contractors Association, and BAI, will enable identification of advanced technologies which could be brought into India’s CE industry. Presently, India manufactures 68 kinds of construction equipment across all the product ranges. With a closer understanding of the advancements being made in construction equipment and methodologies, there will be greater scope for Indian companies to bring the latest machines and newer product variants, which will increase mechanization in the country’s construction sector. This will further create a robust manufacturing ecosystem in India, which will strengthen India’s position as a major exporter of construction equipment to global markets. He informed that iCEMA has set up an Infrastructure Panel to discuss avenues for bringing in new construction technologies and machines into India by identifying new areas of construction
Shri H C Modi, Chief Engineer (NH) & Addl. Secretary, Road & Building Department, Government of Gujarat threw light on ‘Future of Highways in the State of Gujarat’ Sharing the concerns of the Indian infrastructure industry, Mr. Neerav Parmar, National Vice President, Builders Association India (BAI) and Senior Vice President – Contracts & Procurement, Shapoorji Pallonji & Company Pvt. Ltd. opined, “With the rising cost of equipment, especially those with advanced technologies, we feel that the OEMs should encourage renting and leasing of equipment over purchase. He also mentioned that there has to be a mechanism formulated by project owners and developers so that the contractors can hedge the impact of price volatility.” Similar views were echoed by Mr. Arvind Patel and other members of BAI & Gujarat Contractors Association.
At the end of the session, Mr. Bhupinder Singh from bauma CONEXPO INDIA alongwith Mr. Dimitrov Krishnan & Mr. Deepak Garg from iCEMA felicitated Mr. Arvind Patel and Mr. R. N. Gupta respectively for their outstanding contribution towards the Infrastructure and Construction Industry.
A delegation from Road and Building Department, Government of Gujarat graced the occasion. The event was attended by senior members from the Indian construction equipment industry namelys Action Construction Equipment, Ajax Engineering, JCB, Kobelco, L&T, PERI, Sany India, Tata Hitachi, Terex India, Volvo CE, Wirtgen India to name a few.
Terex India Private Limited, Action Construction Equipment Ltd., CASE Construction Equipment, Volvo Construction Equipment, Builders Association India (BAI) and Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers' Association (iCEMA) supported this networking evening.
The event proved to be a much needed in-person meeting of stakeholders from the construction and infrastructure industry. Such events ensure the industry continues to connect, collaborate and grow.