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A proactive approach facilitates smooth operations

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Prashant Jha, Chief Ready-Mix Concrete and Modern Building Materials Officer, Nuvoco Vistas, stresses the importance of efficiency and reliability in transportation while discussing other intricacies of RMX logistics management.

Tell us about the transportation model followed by your organisation for RMX despatches.
Our transit mixers transport concrete from our production plants to customer sites, selecting capacities ranging from 6 to 9 cu m depending on factors like city location, site specifics, and market dynamics. These transit mixers are sourced from third-parties as per the business requirement that is determined through our Integrated Business Planning (IBP) process. Given the variability of daily volumes, we can experience sudden spikes in demand, which is addressed through our fleet with short-term ‘taxi resources’ promptly and efficiently. This agile approach allows us to adapt swiftly to fluctuating demands while maintaining high service standards.

How are the logistics of the plant managed?
The plant’s monthly sales volume targets are established through the IBP process, for guiding to the formulation for enabling efficient resource management. Following the determination of monthly volumes, the transit mixer plan is finalised for each facility. The plant teams collaborate with the customer and sales team to ensure strategic delivery schedules adherences. Any issues are addressed in consultation with customers by a collaborative effort between plant manager, customer and the sales team to ensure the daily delivery targets are met effectively. A proactive approach facilitates smooth operations and customer satisfaction.

With new technology and digitalisation introduced in the system, what impact has it created on the efficiency and cost of the plant?
Our implementation of a Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) in our transit mixers, coupled with Drum Rotation Sensors and GPS integration, has revolutionised our operational efficiency. This advanced technology empowers our plant to monitor transit mixers in real-time, facilitating agile planning for subsequent deliveries and enabling us to provide customers with precise updates on delivery status. Moreover, by leveraging GPS data, we ensure fair variable cost payments based on accurate kilometres travelled, optimising cost management. In addition to enhancing financial transparency, the VTS enables our plant teams to track driver behaviour, allowing us to provide timely feedback and targeted training on safe work practices. This hands-on approach not only improves the safety of concrete transportation but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement within our workforce.
Furthermore, by capturing transit mixer performance data, we gain valuable insights into operational efficiency, enabling us to implement strategic enhancements and maximise productivity. Overall, our integrated system of VTS, Drum Rotation Sensors and GPS technology represents a comprehensive solution that not only enhances operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness but also prioritises safety and continuous improvement in our transportation processes.

What are the key steps that can be taken to further improve the logistics of RMX manufacturing and transportation?
Given our extensive operations across major cities, ensuring the continuous supply of Ready-Mix Concrete (RMX) is essential. Road movement and safety remain a critical area. Adherences to lanes, dedicated infrastructure for heavy vehicle movement would enhance safety for both transit mixers and other vehicles on the road. These changes would facilitate faster and more efficient movement of these vehicles and would significantly contribute to improving overall transportation logistics and infrastructure management in urban environments, promoting economic productivity and sustainable development.

Tell us about the challenges in logistical planning for RMX plants…
Effectively addressing spike volume demand involves proactive resource allocation through predictive analytics and close collaboration with vendors. This includes strategic coordination with local authorities and route planning while managing traffic disruptions in mega cities. To mitigate high waiting times at sites and prevent concrete buildup inside transit mixer bowls, optimising delivery schedules, enhancing on-site logistics and investing in technologies like automated batching systems are important.
These measures collectively ensure timely deliveries while minimising operational challenges and disruptions.

  • Kanika Mathur

Concrete

Organisations valuing gender diversity achieve higher profitability

Aparna Reddy, Executive Director, Aparna Enterprises talks about company plans.

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The building materials industry is projected to grow by 8-12 per cent over the next five years. How is Aparna Enterprises positioning itself to leverage this momentum and solidify its market presence?
The Indian construction and building materials industry is projected to witness significant expansion, with estimates suggesting an 8-12 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next five years. This growth is fuelled by rapid urbanisation, increased infrastructure investments and sustainability-focused policies. With India’s real-estate market expected to reach $ 1 trillion by 2030, the demand for high-quality building materials is at an all-time high.
The Government of India’s flagship programmes, such as PM Gati Shakti, the Smart Cities Mission and the Housing for All (PMAY-Urban) initiative, are key drivers of this surge. The infrastructure sector alone is expected to receive a budgetary push of over Rs 11 trillion in FY25, with enhanced capital expenditure allocation.
At Aparna Enterprises, we are proactively aligning with this momentum through capacity expansion, product diversification, and cutting-edge technological integration. 

Our key strategic priorities include:
  • Expanding operations in high-growth regions across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, ensuring access to quality building materials nationwide
  • Investing in automation, AI-driven quality control systems and digital integration, enhancing efficiency and precision in manufacturing
  • Scaling up production capabilities in our RMC, tiles, uPVC and other divisions to meet the anticipated surge in demand.

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Concrete

Global Start-Up Challenge Launched to Drive Net Zero Concrete Solutions

Innovandi Open Challenge aims to connect start-ups with GCCA members to develop innovations

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Start-ups worldwide are invited to contribute to the global cement and concrete industry’s efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and combat climate change. The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) and its members are calling for applicants for the Innovandi Open Challenge 2025.

Now in its fourth year, the Innovandi Open Challenge aims to connect start-ups with GCCA members to develop innovations that help decarbonise the cement and concrete industry.

The challenge is seeking start-ups working on next-generation materials for net-zero concrete, such as low-carbon admixtures, supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), activators, or binders. Innovations in these areas could help reduce the carbon-intensive element of cement, clinker, and integrate cutting-edge materials to lower CO2 emissions.

Thomas Guillot, GCCA’s Chief Executive, stated, “Advanced production methods are already decarbonising cement and concrete worldwide. Through the Innovandi Open Challenge, we aim to accelerate our industry’s progress towards net-zero concrete.”

Concrete is the second most widely used material on Earth, and its decarbonisation is critical to achieving net-zero emissions across the global construction sector.

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Concrete

StarBigBloc Acquires Land for AAC Blocks Greenfield Facility in Indore

The company introduced NXTGRIP Tile Adhesives alongside its trusted NXTFIX and NXTPLAST brands.

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StarBigBloc Building Material, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BigBloc Construction, one of the largest manufacturers of Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (AAC) Blocks, Bricks and ALC Panels in India has acquired land for setting up a green field facility for AAC Blocks in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Company has purchased approx. 57,500 sq. mts. land at Khasra No. 382, 387, 389/2, Gram Nimrani, Tehsil Kasrawad, District – Khargone, Madhya Pradesh for the purpose of AAC Blocks business expansion in central India. The total consideration for the land deal is Rs 60 million and Stamp duty.

StarBigBloc Building Material Ltd currently operates one plant at Kheda near Ahmedabad with an installed capacity of 250,000 cubic meters per annum, serving most part of Gujarat, upto Udaipur in Rajasthan, and till Indore in Madhya Pradesh. The capacity utilisation at Starbigbloc Building Material Ltd for the third quarter was 75 per cent. The planned expansion will enable the company to establish a stronger presence in Madhya Pradesh and surrounding regions. Reaffirming its commitment to the Green Initiative, it has also installed a 800 KW solar rooftop power project — a significant step toward sustainability and lowering its carbon footprint.

Narayan Saboo, Chairman, Bigbloc Construction said “The AAC block industry is set to play a pivotal role in India’s construction sector, and our company is ready for a significant leap forward. The proposed expansion in Indore, Madhya Pradesh aligns with our growth strategy, focusing on geographic expansion, R&D investments, product diversification, and strategic branding and marketing initiatives to enhance visibility, increase market share, and strengthen stakeholder trust.”

Bigbloc Construction has recently expanded into construction chemicals with Block Jointing Mortar, Ready Mix Plaster, and Tile Adhesives, tapping into high-demand segments. The company introduced NXTGRIP Tile Adhesives alongside its trusted NXTFIX and NXTPLAST brands, ensuring superior bonding, strength, and performance.

In May 2024, the board of directors approved fund-raising through SME IPO or Preferential issue to support expansion plans of Starbigboc Building Material subject to requisite approvals and market conditions, Starbigboc Building Material aims to expand its production capacity from current 250,000 cubic meters per annum to over 1.2 million cubic meters per annum in the next 4-5 years. Company is targeting revenues of Rs 4.28 billion by FY27-28, with an expected EBITDA of Rs 1.25 billion and net profit of Rs 800 million. In FY23-24, the company reported revenues of Rs 940.18 million, achieving a revenue CAGR of over 21 per cent in the last four years.

Incorporated in 2015, BigBloc Construction is one of the largest and only listed AAC block manufacturer in India, with a 1.3 million cbm annual capacity across plants in Gujarat (Kheda, Umargaon, Kapadvanj) and Maharashtra (Wada). The company, which markets its products under the ‘NXTBLOC’ brand, is one of the few in the AAC industry to generate carbon credits. With over 2,000 completed projects and 1,500+ in the pipeline, The company’s clients include Lodha, Adani Realty, IndiaBulls Real Estate, DB Realty, Prestige, Piramal, Oberoi Realty, Tata Projects, Shirke Group, Shapoorji Pallonji Group, Raheja, PSP Projects, L&T, Sunteck, Dosti Group, Purvankara Ltd, DY Patil, Taj Hotels, Godrej Properties, Torrent Pharma, GAIL among others.

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