Technology

Vital Cogs

Published

9 years ago

January 31, 2017

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Project Management Consultants have a definite role to play in the overall activity of construction. With the increase in the number of projects calling for comprehensive civil engineering and other technical disciplines, consultants with good track records are in hot demand.

The construction industry generally deals with various types of construction sectors, like real estate and infrastructure. Real estate is segmented into residential, industrial, corporate, and commercial sectors. The infrastructure sector as a whole comprises roads, railways, urban infrastructure like monorail, Metro rail, bridges, viaducts, ports, airports,. Nowadays, all the projects are not merely related to civil engineering’ a number of projects involve many other disciplines like electronics, telecommunications, etc.

For example, the implementation of the CCTV surveillance system in Mumbai is not just a civil engineering project. For projects like these, Project Management Consultancy (PMC) plays a multifaceted part and provides services from inception to completion of these ventures.

At every stage of the project life cycle, the principles of pro-activeness and creating the win-win situation is necessary, keeping in mind the customer’s or client’s requirements. Use of PMC offers an effective management solution to increase and improve the efficiency and outcome of a project in construction.

Project Management Consultants manage the project by application of their knowledge, skills, and experience at various stages. However, at the same time, PMC also has to face various challenges like design issues, constructability issues, long lead material issues, inter-contractor coordination issues, engineering issues, safety issues, etc., which can be tackled only by a well-organised PMC approach.

A well-organised PMC approach also includes adopting various types of tools for higher management, like reporting dashboard, timely progress review and conduction of brainstorming sessions, on-field training, design construction interfaces, regular quality audits, quality diligence and team delivery sessions.

In addition to the above, PMC is most effective and efficient when it is involved in the total project life cycle ‘ from conception to closure of the project. Awareness of various processes involved in project management and detailed study of multiple project constraints like time, cost, risk, scope, quality, etc., are an integral part of any PMC process. In general, the job of the Project Management Consultant can be classified into three typical stages:

A. Pre-Construction Management
From the moment PMC gets involved in the project, it is necessary that it takes up the ownership of the entire project, right from its inception stage. This process includes advising, monitoring and reporting on pre-construction activities of the project. PMC is expected to initiate the project by preparing a project execution plan that will set out the cost, time and quality objectives of the project, and the systems and procedures that will be used to achieve these objectives.

Phases of Pre-Construction Management

Project definition
Project administration
Appointment of architect and consultants
Design management & coordination
Procurement management/tender and bid management
Planning management/forecasting management
Cost management
Risk management
Value management

B. Construction & Execution
During the preliminary design stage when project planning milestones are established, con-?struction concepts are developed, and the overall plan is prepared. PMC will prepare a construction management strategy, procedure and manuals. It will prepare an overall plan for overseeing the general contractors’/sub-contractors’ supervision team at site, monitoring their established processes and doing periodic quality checks at random.

During final design, construction management tasks include constructability and cost-saving reviews, consequent design changes and environ-?mental compliance. The construction phase involves implementation of the construction plan by the PMC Manager, including day-to-day communications and coordination with contractors.

Phases of Construction & Execution

Appointment of contractors
Planning management/forecasting management
Cost management
Site management
Quality control
Environment, health & safety management
Co-ordination with client, architect and other consultants

C. Post-Construction Management
At the end of the project, it is handed over to the client in a controlled and disciplined manner. The overall handover will include all documents that will cover built drawings and approved O&M manuals by the contractors or vendors. The phases of post-construction management will include package closure ‘ technical and commercial, final cost report and co-ordination for handover.

Technology

ARAPL Reports 175% EBITDA Growth, Expands Global Robotics Footprint

Affordable Robotic & Automation posts strong Q2 and H1 FY26 results driven by innovation and overseas orders

Published

3 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

admin

Affordable Robotic & Automation Limited (ARAPL), India’s first listed robotics firm and a pioneer in industrial automation and smart robotic solutions, has reported robust financial results for the second quarter and half year ended September 30, 2025.
The company achieved a 175 per cent year-on-year rise in standalone EBITDA and strong revenue growth across its automation and robotics segments. The Board of Directors approved the unaudited financial results on October 10, 2025.

Key Highlights – Q2 FY2026
• Strong momentum across core automation and robotics divisions
• Secured the first order for the Atlas AC2000, an autonomous truck loading and unloading forklift, from a leading US logistics player
• Rebranded its RaaS product line as Humro (Human + Robot), symbolising collaborative automation between people and machines
• Expanded its Humro range in global warehouse automation markets
• Continued investment in deep-tech innovations, including AI-based route optimisation, autonomy kits, vehicle controllers, and digital twins
Global Milestone: First Atlas AC2000 Order in the US

ARAPL’s US-based subsidiary, ARAPL RaaS (Humro), received its first order for the next-generation Atlas AC2000 autonomous forklift from a leading logistics company. Following successful prototype trials, the client placed an order for two robots valued at Rs 36 million under a three-year lease. The project opens opportunities for scaling up to 15–16 robots per site across 15 US warehouses within two years.
The product addresses an untapped market of 10 million loading docks across 21,000 warehouses in the US, positioning ARAPL for exponential growth.

Financial Performance – Q2 FY2026 (Standalone)
Net Revenue: Rs 25.7587 million, up 37 per cent quarter-on-quarter
EBITDA: Rs 5.9632 million, up 396 per cent QoQ
Profit Before Tax: Rs 4.3808 million, compared to a Rs 360.46 lakh loss in Q1
Profit After Tax: Rs 4.1854 lakh, representing 216 per cent QoQ growth
On a half-year basis, ARAPL reported a 175 per cent rise in EBITDA and returned to profitability with Rs 58.08 lakh PAT, highlighting strong operational efficiency and improved contribution from core businesses.
Consolidated Performance – Q2 FY2026
Net Revenue: Rs 29.566 million, up 57% QoQ
EBITDA: Rs 6.2608 million, up 418 per cent QoQ
Profit After Tax: Rs 4.5672 million, marking a 224 per cent QoQ improvement

Milind Padole, Managing Director, ARAPL said, “Our Q2 results reflect the success of our innovation-led growth strategy and the growing global confidence in ARAPL’s technology. The Atlas AC2000 order marks a defining milestone that validates our engineering strength and accelerates our global expansion. With a healthy order book and continued investment in AI and autonomous systems, ARAPL is positioned to lead the next phase of intelligent industrial transformation.”
Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Pune, Affordable Robotic & Automation Ltd (ARAPL) delivers turnkey robotic and automation solutions across automotive, general manufacturing, and government sectors. Its offerings include robotic welding, automated inspection, assembly automation, automated parking systems, and autonomous driverless forklifts.
ARAPL operates five advanced plants in Pune spanning 350,000 sq ft, supported by over 400 engineers in India and seven team members in the US. The company also maintains facilities in North Carolina and California, and service centres in Faridabad, Mumbai, and San Francisco.

Technology

M.E. Energy Bags Rs 490 Mn Order for Waste Heat Recovery Project

Second major EPC contract from Ferro Alloys sector strengthens company’s growth

Published

3 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

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M.E. Energy Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kilburn Engineering Ltd and a leading Indian engineering company specialising in energy recovery and cost reduction, has secured its second consecutive major order worth Rs 490 million in the Ferro Alloys sector. The order covers the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) of a 12 MW Waste Heat Recovery Based Power Plant (WHRPP).

This repeat order underscores the Ferro Alloys industry’s confidence in M.E. Energy’s expertise in delivering efficient and sustainable energy solutions for high-temperature process industries. The project aims to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions by converting waste heat into clean power.

“Securing another project in the Ferro Alloys segment reinforces our strong technical credibility. It’s a proud moment as we continue helping our clients achieve sustainability and cost efficiency through innovative waste heat recovery systems,” said K. Vijaysanker Kartha, Managing Director, M.E. Energy Pvt Ltd.

“M.E. Energy’s expansion into sectors such as cement and ferro alloys is yielding solid results. We remain confident of sustained success as we deepen our presence in steel and carbon black industries. These achievements reaffirm our focus on innovation, technology, and energy efficiency,” added Amritanshu Khaitan, Director, Kilburn Engineering Ltd

With this latest order, M.E. Energy has already surpassed its total external order bookings from the previous financial year, recording Rs 138 crore so far in FY26. The company anticipates further growth in the second half, supported by a robust project pipeline and the rising adoption of waste heat recovery technologies across industries.

The development marks continued momentum towards FY27, strengthening M.E. Energy’s position as a leading player in industrial energy optimisation.

Technology

NTPC Green Energy Partners with Japan’s ENEOS for Green Fuel Exports

NGEL signs MoU with ENEOS to supply green methanol and hydrogen derivatives

Published

3 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

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NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), a subsidiary of NTPC Limited, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan’s ENEOS Corporation to explore a potential agreement for the supply of green methanol and hydrogen derivative products.

The MoU was exchanged on 10 October 2025 during the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. It marks a major step towards global collaboration in clean energy and decarbonisation.
The partnership centres on NGEL’s upcoming Green Hydrogen Hub at Pudimadaka in Andhra Pradesh. Spread across 1,200 acres, the integrated facility is being developed for large-scale green chemical production and exports.

By aligning ENEOS’s demand for hydrogen derivatives with NGEL’s renewable energy initiatives, the collaboration aims to accelerate low-carbon energy transitions. It also supports NGEL’s target of achieving a 60 GW renewable energy portfolio by 2032, reinforcing its commitment to India’s green energy ambitions and the global net-zero agenda.