DRIVING INDIA FORWARD

Wirtgen Group accelerates India-focused innovation at EXCON, showcasing digital automation, sustainability-led solutions, and new growth opportunities

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The Wirtgen Group outlined its India strategy, product roadmap, and technology vision in an exclusive interaction with Dr. Volker Knickel, CEO — Wirtgen Group; Frank Betzelt, Senior Vice President — Wirtgen International; and Ramesh Palagiri, Managing Director & CEO — Wirtgen India. The leadership team shared insights on new product introductions, market opportunities, evolving customer dynamics, and the company’s focus on smarter, safer, and more sustainable construction solutions tailored for Indian conditions.

What new products are you introducing this year at Excon?

At Excon, we are showcasing our small tandem roller, which we began manufacturing earlier this year for exports and are now introducing to the domestic market. We are also unveiling a depth-free soil compactor, a new milling machine equipped with mill assist and advanced digital technologies, and the largest scalper ever manufactured in India.

Are these the same machines that were launched at bauma, or have there been engineering changes?

These are entirely different machines. They are fully built in India and have been developed specifically to meet the requirements of the Indian market.

What opportunity areas do you see in India, particularly across sectors?

We are active in road construction, road maintenance, and surface mining. The mining sector is performing very well, especially in areas such as surface miners and screening equipment. While the road sector has seen a slowdown over the past 18 months, we remain optimistic about a revival in the coming year.

Can you share insights into market trends over the past five years, such as the shift from corporate to retail customers?