ECEL to export pick 'n' carry cranes

Escorts Construction Equipment Limited (ECEL), a 100 per cent subsidiary of Escorts Ltd, plans to target developed countries and the African market for its range of pick 'n' carry cranes and soil compactors.

Addressing a press conference here recently, Vikram Sharma, CEO and executive director, Escorts Construction Equipment Limited, said the company plans to use Escorts Limited's existing facilities in the US and Poland for distributing as well as local assembly of cranes for southern, central and northern American regions, as well as for Eastern Europe.

"We also have plans to add more products at appropriate an time in the future.

The growth prospects for the industry and the company remain very bright," said Sharma.

"In addition to these, it is a licencee for the Korean company, Dusan, to manufacture, sell and service fork lift trucks in India and West Asia. The company is the largest supplier of LPG base forklifts in India presently," he added.

The company's exports constitute 7 per cent of its turnover. "With aggressive marketing in both the markets (developed countries and Africa) in addition to West Asia we plan to achieve 10-15 per cent in two years," said Sharma.

ECEL has already surpassed its last full year's volumes well within the first six months of the present financial year and thereby recorded a turnover of over Rs 141 crore in this period. It is set to exceed a turnover of Rs 300 crore for the financial year 05-06. At the Excon-05, the company has introduced new range of vibratory roller, and high performance mobile pick and carry cranes.

"Innovation is one of the major strengths of our company. We are constantly introducing newer varieties and upgraded version of our range of equipment keeping not only the domestic market but also the world market in perspective," said Rajesh Sharma, chief general manager, sales, ECEL.