Interview: Dheeraj Panda, Managing Director, Ammann India

The next generation of construction equipment will be shaped by autonomy, predictive intelligence, and sustainable energy systems

Stringent infrastructure project deadlines have transformed the equipment industry. How has concrete equipment evolved over the past three years across key parameters such as innovation, sustainability, and operational efficiency?
Over the last three years, concrete equipment has undergone a significant transformation, driven by tighter project timelines and the need for speed, precision, and sustainability. What was earlier a largely mechanical process has now become a highly digitised and intelligence led ecosystem. Innovation has been at the centre of this shift. Modern concrete plants are designed to combine the flexibility of batch production with the predictability of continuous systems. Advanced concrete mixing plants and ELBA mixers deliver high output and allow rapid recipe changeovers, enabling contractors to switch between grades and slump classes without compromising consistency. This is especially critical in large infrastructure projects where mix requirements change frequently. Batching plants today operate on microprocessor based platforms such as AS1 control systems. These systems enable precise material batching, in flight control, and real time water correction. While BIS standards allow an accuracy of plus or minus 2 percent, advanced plants are able to achieve up to plus or minus 0.5 percent, ensuring global levels of consistency. The integration of IoT and AI has further enhanced performance. Sensors continuously monitor moisture, temperature, and material flow, while AI driven systems optimise mix designs and predict wear in key components. This reduces unplanned downtime and extends equipment life. Digital twin technology is also gaining importance, allowing contractors to simulate production scenarios and optimise throughput without interrupting live operations.

Connectivity has become equally important. Cloud based platforms and mobile applications allow remote monitoring across multiple sites, improving transparency and enabling faster decision making. Sustainability has seen strong progress as well. Equipment now supports the use of recycled aggregates and supplementary materials such as fly ash and slag. Energy consumption is reduced through efficient motors and optimised drives, while advanced dust control systems and water recycling technologies ensure compliance with environmental norms. Noise reduction features make operations viable in urban environments. From an operational perspective, modular plant designs allow quick installation and relocation without heavy foundations. Automated lubrication, self diagnostics, and wear resistant components reduce maintenance requirements. Production capacities now range from 30 to 150 cubic meters per hour, supporting large scale infrastructure programs. Overall, the industry has evolved into a technology driven, sustainable, and performance focused ecosystem.  

Which infrastructure sub-sectors have contributed the most to your revenues in recent years, and which segments do you expect to drive growth going forward?
Roads and highways have remained the largest contributors to revenue, supported by sustained government investment and large infrastructure corridor development. Batch mix asphalt plants have been a key revenue driver, especially in high volume projects such as expressways where consistent output is essential. Exports have become an important growth pillar, contributing around 23 to 25 percent of total revenues. India has emerged as a global manufacturing hub, supplying equipment to more than 100 countries across multiple regions. In the domestic market, compaction and paving equipment such as tandem rollers, soil compactors, and tracked pavers continue to see strong demand due to their widespread use in road construction. Looking ahead, growth will be driven by high specification corridors under major national programs. These projects require high capacity plants in the range of 180 to 260 tonnes per hour along with advanced paving solutions. Urban infrastructure is also emerging as a strong growth driver. Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, which contribute nearly 40 to 45 percent of GDP, are creating demand for compact, fuel efficient, and adaptable equipment suited for constrained environments. Sustainability trends are becoming more prominent. The use of reclaimed asphalt pavement is expected to increase significantly from current levels, while warm mix asphalt technologies are gaining traction due to lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions. Concrete demand is expected to rise sharply with housing initiatives and metro expansion, driving demand for batching plants, transit mixers, and pumps. These trends are supported by strong government funding, increasing mechanisation, global supply chain shifts, and a growing focus on total cost of ownership rather than upfront pricing.

With several cities restricting on-site concrete equipment due to dust, noise, and air pollution concerns, has there been a shift in demand towards specific equipment categories such as batching plants, transit mixers, and concrete pumps?
There is a clear structural shift in urban construction due to restrictions on dust, noise, and emissions. Cities are increasingly limiting on site concrete production, which has accelerated the move toward centralized batching supported by transit mixers and concrete pumps. As a result, batching plants, pumps, and precast solutions are seeing strong demand. This is closely linked to large urban programs such as Smart Cities, housing initiatives, and metro expansion, where timelines are tight and consistency is critical. Equipment has evolved to address these challenges. Modern batching plants are equipped with advanced dust control systems that capture fine particles effectively. Noise suppression features ensure compliance even in densely populated areas. Temperature control of concrete mixes has become important in improving efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing wastage. Electric equipment is also gaining early adoption, offering zero emissions and significantly lower noise levels. Technology integration has further improved performance. Real time monitoring systems ensure consistency, while predictive maintenance and automated diagnostics reduce downtime. Transit mixers play a critical role in ensuring timely and reliable delivery across urban networks. Overall, the shift is toward a more controlled, centralized, and environmentally compliant construction approach.

How are you addressing regulatory challenges such as environmental norms, emission standards, and restrictions on operating concrete equipment within city limits?
Regulatory compliance today requires a comprehensive approach across emissions, sustainability, and urban operability. Advanced emission standards aligned with global benchmarks are helping reduce particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions. Equipment is also tailored to meet varying international standards for export markets. Urban restrictions have accelerated the adoption of electric equipment such as rollers and pavers, which operate with zero local emissions and low noise. Conventional equipment incorporates silencers and emission control technologies to reduce environmental impact. Dust control remains a major focus, with modern plants using high efficiency systems to capture fine particles. Emerging innovations such as hydrogen capable burners offer potential pathways toward carbon neutral operations. Warm mix asphalt technology plays an important role by reducing production temperatures and lowering fuel consumption and emissions. Equipment is also designed to support higher usage of recycled materials such as reclaimed asphalt, fly ash, and slag. Water management systems aligned with zero liquid discharge allow recovery and reuse of up to 99 percent of process water. The overall approach is to integrate compliance directly into equipment design rather than treating it as an external requirement.

What emerging technologies do you see shaping the next generation of concrete equipment?
The next generation of construction equipment will be shaped by autonomy, predictive intelligence, and sustainable energy systems.  Autonomous equipment will reduce dependence on manual intervention while improving precision and productivity. AI driven robotics will handle repetitive and high risk tasks, enhancing safety and efficiency. Predictive intelligence will allow early detection of equipment failures, enabling planned maintenance and reducing downtime. AI will also optimise mix designs and machine performance based on real time conditions. Digital twin technology will enable simulation of entire construction workflows, improving planning and reducing risk. Sustainability will be driven by electric, hybrid, and hydrogen powered equipment, along with flexible fuel systems. Material innovations such as 3D printing and self healing concrete will improve construction speed and durability. Drones and advanced monitoring tools will enhance site inspection and data collection, while IoT and edge computing will enable seamless connectivity and centralized control across projects.

What role have government policies played in the growth of the concrete equipment sector in India, and what further policy support is needed to drive the industry forward?
Government policies have been a major driver of growth in the construction equipment sector, particularly through large infrastructure programs. These initiatives have provided strong demand visibility and encouraged investment in advanced technologies. Policy is also driving the shift toward sustainable and precision based construction, accelerating the adoption of automated and intelligent equipment. However, further support is needed. A scrappage policy for older equipment would help reduce emissions and improve efficiency. Incentives such as production linked schemes can strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependence. Access to financing remains a challenge, especially for smaller contractors. Support through subsidies or concessional financing can accelerate adoption of modern equipment. Standardisation of digital systems and faster approvals would further improve efficiency.

What strategies are you adopting to address challenges such as price competition, import pressures, and financing constraints in the market?
Challenges such as price competition, imports, and financing require long term strategies. The market is gradually shifting toward value based decision making, with increasing focus on total cost of ownership, including fuel efficiency, uptime, and lifecycle performance. Localisation plays a critical role in reducing import dependence and improving cost competitiveness. Diversified sourcing strategies also help manage global supply risks. Strong in-house engineering capabilities enable faster innovation and reduce reliance on external suppliers. Rental and leasing models are expanding access to advanced equipment, allowing contractors to benefit from high performance solutions without large upfront investments. The focus is on building an ecosystem driven by efficiency, reliability, and accessibility.

After-sales service plays a crucial role in building brand loyalty. What after sales support & services does your organisation offer to ensure customer satisfaction and long-term relationships?
After sales service has become central to ensuring reliability and customer satisfaction. A strong service network enables quick response and issue resolution, while efficient spare parts availability minimises downtime. Digital tools such as IoT platforms provide real time visibility into machine performance, enabling predictive maintenance and remote diagnostics. Maintenance programs, extended warranties, and retrofit solutions help improve lifecycle performance and extend equipment life. Operator training, including simulator based learning, ensures efficient usage of advanced equipment. For large projects, dedicated on site support ensures uninterrupted operations. The approach is shifting from transactional service to long term productivity partnerships.

As India moves towards its US$5 trillion economy goal, massive volumes of concrete will be required to support infrastructure development, placing concrete equipment at the centre of this transformation. How is your organisation aligning its strategy to support this growth?
As India moves toward a 5 trillion dollar economy, demand for infrastructure and concrete will increase significantly. The strategy focuses on localisation, strong investment in research and development, and development of India specific solutions. This ensures cost competitiveness and strengthens supply chains. A technology first approach includes advanced batching systems, modular designs, and digital platforms for real time monitoring and remote operations. Sustainability is integrated through energy efficient systems and the use of recycled materials. Workforce training and flexible financing models are also key priorities to improve productivity and accessibility. The overall goal is to enable a resilient, sustainable, and future ready construction ecosystem.