Prophecy for the decade ahead

Dhiyanesh Ravichandran charts out the most conspicuous market and technological trends of the construction equipment industry at EXCON this year, as a compelling forecast of the industry’s evolution over the next ten years.

- Dhiyanesh Ravichandran

The tenth edition of India’s largest construction equipment event turned out to be soothsaying, as it took place at the right and inopportune time in a fair shake! The expo was held at the dawn of a new decade, which in all likelihood is expected to be cathartic and avant-garde for the CE industry, may it be in terms of sheer expansion of the demand for machines and actual parc or metamorphic (rather disruptive) effects out of striding digital and sustainable technologies. On the other hand, the exhibition was ill-timed, thanks to the macro-economic slowdown that has effectively arrested the buoyant comeback of the industry from respite since early last year.

That way, the EXCON this year turned out to be significant, as it clearly showed the high signs of how the industry is going to stand up to the challenges ahead at the cusp of the 2020s. Despite subdued buyer sentiments and macro-economic mood, the expo saw humungous participation from the industry, including OEMs, suppliers, aftermarket players, and other service providers. Manufacturers showcased their accomplishments by way of new products and service support packages to their existing and potential buyers, while component suppliers exhibited their resilient attitude by sustaining the decline.