Interview: Shridhar Rao, Director – Sales and Marketing, Elematic India

Is India now at a stage where precast can become a mainstream industrialised construction model rather than a project-specific solution? What needs to change for this transition to accelerate?
India is approaching that stage. Rapid urbanization, pressure for faster delivery, inconsistent availability of skilled labor, higher quality expectations and greater emphasis on sustainability are making industrialized construction increasingly relevant. Precast is therefore moving beyond selected large or repetitive projects and becoming a strategic construction option. For adoption to accelerate, precast must be considered at the concept stage rather than introduced after a building has been designed for conventional construction. Early collaboration among developers, architects, structural consultants, precast specialists and contractors is essential. The industry also needs greater component standardization, predictable project pipelines, efficient logistics and stronger technical capabilities. Most importantly, projects should evaluate precast on total value -including faster completion, consistent quality, safety and reduced waste – rather than comparing only the initial cost.

How has India’s precast market evolved over the past five years, and which sectors are currently driving the strongest demand?
Over the past five years, India’s precast market has progressed from cautious experimentation towards wider commercial acceptance. Customers now have a better understanding of technology, and discussions increasingly focus on plant configuration, automation and project delivery instead of simply explaining precast fundamentals. Large residential developments continue to offer significant potential. Commercial buildings, industrial facilities, warehouses and institutional projects are also generating demand because speed, quality and predictable completion are important in these sectors. Infrastructure applications are expanding, including metro and rail components, bridges and utility structures. Data centers represent a particularly promising segment because they require rapid, repeatable and quality-controlled construction. Urban transport and public-development programme could become major growth drivers where standardized designs and continuous project pipelines are available. Overall, the market is becoming more diversified, although demand varies by region and project scale.

What are the latest technologies transforming precast manufacturing, and how is Elematic integrating automation, robotics, BIM, MES, IoT and data analytics across the construction workflow?
Precast manufacturing is shifting from standalone machines towards connected production systems. Automation and robotics can handle repetitive and precision-dependent activities such as shutter placement, plotting, concrete distribution, cutting and material movement, improving consistency while reducing manual intervention. BIM allows building-design information to flow into production planning. Manufacturing execution and plant-control systems can then use this information for scheduling, machine control, production monitoring, storage and delivery planning. Elematic Plant Control connects different stages of this workflow, from BIM-based design information to production planning and compatible automated machinery. Its modular structure enables customers to digitalize progressively. Connected equipment and digital services also provide information on machine performance, production conditions and maintenance requirements. Data analytics can convert this information into practical insights about utilization, bottlenecks, quality and downtime, creating a more integrated workflow from design through manufacturing to the construction site.

How have Elematic’s technology solutions helped precast manufacturers improve productivity, reduce production timelines and accelerate overall project completion?
Productivity begins with selecting a production system suited to the customer’s products, volumes, available space, workforce and expansion plans. The highest level of automation is not necessarily the right solution for every plant; technology must match the business case. We provide production lines, machinery, automation, software, engineering and lifecycle services. Mechanized processes improve repeatability and reduce dependence on manual operations. Digital production planning helps balance workloads, coordinate materials and minimize interruptions, while automated information transfer reduces duplication and manual errors. Factory production also allows elements to be manufactured while foundations and other site activities proceed. Once delivered, rapid erection can shorten the structural schedule. The result is more predictable output, consistent quality, better resource utilization and faster project execution. Actual gains depend on product mix, plant configuration, operating practices and integration with project planning.

How does Elematic support customers after installation, and how do its after-sales services, technical support, training and maintenance solutions help ensure long-term plant performance?
Our responsibility does not end with commissioning. A precast plant is a long-term industrial asset whose performance depends on skilled people, disciplined operations, preventive maintenance and timely technical support. Elematic’s lifecycle support includes training, service support, spare and wear parts, equipment audits, maintenance planning, digital services, consultation and modernization. Training for operators and maintenance teams helps customers develop internal capability and maintain safe, efficient production. Remote assistance and scheduled service visits help identify operational and maintenance issues. Preventive maintenance reduces unexpected stoppages, while access to suitable parts supports equipment reliability. Digital fleet and maintenance-management solutions provide greater visibility into machinery performance and service needs. As production requirements evolve, plants can also be assessed for upgrades, additional automation or layout improvements. This lifecycle approach helps protect the investment and sustain productivity, quality and competitiveness.

What are the biggest barriers preventing wider adoption of advanced precast technology in India, and how can the industry address them?
Initial investment is the most visible barrier, but limited understanding of lifecycle value is equally important. An assessment based only on equipment or element cost can overlook the benefits of faster completion, reduced rework, improved quality, better safety and lower waste. Later design changes are another challenge. Precast requires early coordination and disciplined decision-making because changes made after production begins can affect molds, reinforcement, schedules and erection. Transportation and lifting constraints must be considered when determining element sizes and plant locations. Limited standardization reduces repetition and manufacturing efficiency, while shortages of trained designers, operators and erection teams can restrict performance. The industry can address these barriers through early stakeholder collaboration, component standardization, training and improved project planning. Modular production concepts can also allow manufacturers to begin at an appropriate investment level and add capacity or automation as demand grows.

What policy or regulatory measures can the government introduce to accelerate precast and industrialized construction in India?
Government policy can create scale, continuity and market confidence. Public procurement should be technology-neutral and evaluate quality, safety, sustainability and delivery time instead of prescribing conventional construction methods. Standardized designs and repeatable components for housing, schools, hospitals, utilities and transport infrastructure could create the predictable demand required for efficient industrial production. Tendering processes should also provide adequate time for precast design development and manufacturing planning. Faster approvals for standardized structural systems, wider BIM adoption, clear technical guidelines and harmonized acceptance criteria would reduce uncertainty. Sustainability assessments should recognize controlled material use, reduced waste, durability and lifecycle optimization. Workforce-development programs are also needed for precast design, plant operation, quality control, logistics and erection. The objective should be to build a stable industrialized construction ecosystem rather than simply mandate a particular construction technology.

Looking ahead, which emerging technologies – AI, robotics, connected machinery, digital twins or advanced automation – will have the greatest impact on India’s precast industry, and how is Elematic preparing to integrate them?
The greatest impact will come from combining connected machinery, advanced automation, robotics and intelligent production data. Together, these technologies can create a continuous digital flow from design through manufacturing, logistics and erection. AI could support scheduling, demand forecasting, quality analysis and predictive maintenance. Connected machines can provide real-time operating data, while digital twins could help manufacturers simulate capacity, production flow and operational changes before physical implementation. Robotics will increasingly undertake repetitive, physically demanding and precision-critical work. We are advancing in this direction through modular plant-control software, BIM-connected workflows, automated machinery and digital lifecycle services. A modular approach is important in India because customers have different products, volumes and investment capacities. Our focus is on practical, scalable technology that delivers measurable improvements. Human expertise will remain essential for design decisions, production optimization and successful implementation.