Our ultimate goal is to play a pivotal role in ushering in a greener and more sustainable future for the material handling industry, says Neville Mevawala, Head of Sales & Marketing, Godrej Material Handling
What are the sustainability initiatives you are taking to reduce carbon footprint in your organization?
At Godrej Material Handling, sustainability is the cornerstone of our company's mission and values. We steadfastly uphold the belief in fostering a positive impact on both the environment and society through our business practices. We are deeply committed to the creation and provision of material handling equipment that champions sustainability, reducing environmental impact across its entire lifecycle. Through ongoing research and development efforts, we continually enhance the energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and overall sustainability of our equipment. Our ultimate goal is to play a pivotal role in ushering in a greener and more sustainable future for the material handling industry, contributing to a world where environmental consciousness is at the forefront of our collective endeavours.
To reduce carbon emission petrol and diesel driven MHE are being paced out. Which are the electric driven MHE you have introduced in the market in the last two years?
By integrating sustainable technologies and design principles into our material handling equipment, we offer solutions that not only reduce environmental impact but also enhance operational efficiency, aligning seamlessly with our unwavering commitment to sustainability. Our company is making significant strides in its quest to reduce carbon emissions and pave the way for a more sustainable future in India's manufacturing industry, with a specific focus on eco-friendly forklifts. Among our latest innovations, the electric forklift stands out as a cutting-edge addition to the portfolio of Good & Green products, providing customers with a superior technological experience. The electric driven forklifts introduced in last 2 years are 10 percent more energy efficient than their predecessors. Electric forklifts boast several advantages over their diesel counterparts, including up to an 80 percent reduction in operating expenses, enhanced manoeuvrability, and adaptability. Within our electric forklift range, we offer three distinct models: UNO, NEO and BRAVO.
What are the technology features integrated in your MHEs and how do these features help in curtailing environmental degradation?
As mentioned above, we have developed a line of electric forklifts that offer zero-emission operation. By utilizing electric power, these forklifts eliminate exhaust emissions, resulting in cleaner air quality and reduced carbon footprint. They are not only environmentally friendly but also provide quieter operation, enhancing the overall work environment. The Bravo electric series, in particular, employs twin motor technology and wet disc brakes, delivering the performance of diesel while harnessing the eco-friendly benefits of electric power. This unique combination enhances productivity, especially in challenging applications and tight spaces, making it not only easier to operate but also safer for the environment. We make our own motors which are integrated with the drive train to make forklifts more energy efficient, thus consuming less power to do same work. The electric forklifts are primarily meant for indoor applications but our electric forklift trucks are designed to work in outdoor environments, which facilitates the elimination of diesel powered forklifts usage in the outside applications including dusty environments of refractories.
To bring in more sustainability features in product development, what are the incentives and initiatives you expect from the government?
Today, EVs is a buzzword. In fact, Godrej manufactured India’s first electric forklift in 1963 and has been the front runner, bringing in the latest and contemporary technology in India adapting to Indian conditions. The government should include electric forklifts in FAME program similar to automobiles, which will further help to increase its adaption. The government should provide support to develop electric eco-system within the country in terms of advanced motors, gear-box, controllers to make Indian manufacturers more competitive to fight Chinese imports and increase share in exports.
Product development is a continuous process. What are the R&D efforts taking place in this regard at your organization to bring in net zero carbon emission MHEs?
We allocate substantial investments into our research and development endeavors, aimed at propelling innovation and enhancing the sustainability of both our processes and products. As we manufacture our own motors, we continue to make them more energy efficient and introduce new motor technologies which will increase energy efficiency by more than 20 percent. We do provide smart chargers with our electric equipment which not only decreases energy losses but also increases the life of batteries as high as 15-20 percent. Our R&D initiatives are strategically directed towards the creation of, cutting-edge technologies, and advanced manufacturing processes. We will launch Heavy Electric forklifts in next 2-3 years to replace Heavy Diesel forklifts; which consume a lot of diesel and thus harm environment. These innovations collectively serve to elevate the environmental performance of our machinery, reinforcing our commitment to a greener and more sustainable future.
How are you aligning with the Government's goal of cutting emission to net zero by 2070?
Due to the government's proactive push for Indian manufacturers to embrace sustainable manufacturing practices, there has been a notable transition from diesel-powered forklift trucks to electric alternatives within shop floors and warehouses. Over the past few years, our relentless dedication has been focused on the substantial reduction of carbon emissions. This commitment to environmental responsibility is evident through our adoption of sustainable practices, continuous product innovation, eco-conscious production methods, and a steadfast commitment to preserving India's biodiversity. With our electric forklift trucks, we save 58K tonnes of carbons per year and aim to save 100K tonnes per year by 2025. We are the only Indian company to manufacture 5T electric forklift truck and in next 3-5 years; In line with net zero by 2070, we plan to increase our electric range to 10T capacity.
