In line with the Indian market, Simpsons has optimised its products upgrading for BS IV CEV slated for April 2021 with factors like fuel consumption, earning cost and total cost of ownership as its mainstay. Moreover, the provider of diesel engines for farm mechanisation, tractor and agriculture segment also supports OEMs in the global market, according to Associate Vice President, R. Senthil Kumar.

Brief us about your latest offering.
Simpson supports global OEMs in tractor segment is trying to bring those engine platforms for the Indian market to address the emission change BS IV CEV. Since we are already supporting global market in North America and Europe, those products developed with AVA last year, will be positioned with our existing OEMs, and we are also looking for opportunity with new OEMs. These engines are not only meeting emission norms but also the government’s energy drive.

Please talk about your views on duel fuel usage notified by road ministry for CE?
Currently, there are no policies available. The country’s economic growth depends on fuel consumption. Government is trying to bring the fuel policy and offer subsidiaries for good engines. In that context, we are offering better rate power ration engines. Fuel consumption will be very less for the demand it requires. We have been providing fuel-efficient engines in segments like agriculture and the same is getting extended to industrial segment as well. We will replace the subsidiary and support government in energy drive.

How has 2018 been for you in terms of product performance?
Similar to other manufacturers, we have seen significant growth in the product performance. While roughly we used to do around 100-70,000 engines, this year we will be producing nearly 200,000 engines. This means 30,000 engines would result in 15-20 per cent growth. Sustainability of growth depends upon holding farm mechanisation and CE based on government’s support for infrastructure projects like road constructions, dams, warehouse, etc. Simpson engines have been used for equipment like pick and carry cranes, forklifts, earthmoving equipment. Everything is getting mechanised for all applications that entail small equipment to be powered by Simpson engines. We are growing in sync with the market’s growth.

Which segment has been the most promising in 2018 and what is your outlook for this year?
Backhoe loader, pick and carry cranes and forklifts have been good. Skid steer loader being a new concept, low cost material handling equipment is growing at a significant phase but the number is still in the in-front stage. Skid steer is between the range of 25,000-30,000 and India is only at 3,000. Based on global market equipment ratio, we still have to go on high numbers. We have product for skid steer and most of the manufacturers have chosen Simpson as a prime mover.

2019 is expected to be quite good witnessing growth. With government subsidiaries for agriculture and infrastructure segment, the existing business will grow and we are trying to bring new product range where we are not available; additional business will come to us. Since it is an opportunity for the OEM to change engines for the next emission change, we’re expecting some share from competition.

We have been providing fuel-efficient engines in segments like agriculture and the same is getting extended to industrial segment as well.
R. Senthil Kumar,
Associate Vice President, Simpson & Co. Ltd