K Gopal, Director-Sales, Mining & Metals Division, Tenova Takraf IndiaHow big is the market for cement machinery in India?In India, cement production has increased rapidly during the last few years. Indian cement industry is performing well with the growth in infrastructure and housing segments. The demand for cement, being a derived demand, depends primarily on the industrial activity, construction activity, and investment in the infrastructure sector. With the given outlook of the upcoming infrastructure projects, cement manufacturers are expanding their production capacities substantially. This is where the cement machinery firms can play a vital role in meeting the demand of machines and equipment with the reliable technology. The market for the bulk materials handling equipment has been growing at an average of 30 per cent year on year for the last five years. India will continue to be one of the key markets for Tenova TAKRAF for years to come.What are the different kind of services offered by you?Tenova TAKRAF offers time-effective service and a highly regarded experience-based approach for bulk materials handling. Skilled teams of Tenova TAKRAF technicians and engineers guarantee a rapid on-site response in an emergency, giving customers the security of engineering added value.Tenova TAKRAF’s technical planning services focus on technical advice during solution development, conducting feasibility studies, studies into capacity expansion and the refurbishment of existing facilities, complete supply, erection and commissioning of bulk material facilities, project management and quality control, preventive and regular maintenance refurbishment and modernization of existing facilities and maintenance contracts.Your views technological developments in cement industryCement industry in India is currently going through a technological change as a lot of upgradation and assimilation is taking place. The customers in this segment have been instrumental in encouraging and implementing latest technology. The range of stackers and reclaimers are used for the pre blending stockpile and continuous homogenizing of raw material and solid fuel (coal, lignite, petcoke) in the modern dry process. Mechanization and automation of existing or new facilities have created the need for higher performance machines. Automation together with the communication system, safety and self diagnostic features on the equipment allows man-less operation of the machines.What is your view on R&D in manufacture of machineries?Absorption and adaptation of technology depends to a great extent on the research and development (R&D) activities. R&D efforts have contributed significantly to the development of indigenous technology as well as adaptation of imported technology. We are also working with some of the premier institutions in India for development of technology catering to the special needs of the country in the field of mining and materials handling technology.Has TAKRAF entered into any technical collaborations?We have been in the Indian market as a fully owned subsidiary for over 15 years and our principals are committed to a long term association. Besides the interest in the growing Indian market, there has been continuous thrust towards development of the Indian subsidiary. This has resulted in Tenova TAKRAF providing engineering services, equipment and system solution to projects all over the world. This exposure to the world market has uplifted the capabilities of the Indian operation to a new level and also created cascading effects to the performance of the Group as a whole.How much do you export?About 15 per cent of our business is coming out of exports of the equipment and services mainly to other Asian, Middle East and African countries. We expect that that this figure may improve in the coming years with the demand of good quality equipment and services at competitive price.What are your future plans?Tenova TAKRAF has created the infrastructure and capabilities in India, which can act as a springboard to greater success in the existing markets and also new growth markets outside India. We are also aiming to be a one stop shop providing solutions in bulk materials handling with several added services to the customer. The organization shall continue to attract bright and young professionals to take this forward to the future.